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How to make your next career move – priority actions

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Whatever the economy or current situation, there will be people who want or need to make their next career move. Whether you are looking for a new role internally, want to move organisation, or considering your options, you need to be focused.

To help you prioritise what you spend your time on, I’ve set out three key elements you need to work on to increase your chances of success. Focus on these aspects and you’re more likely to get the role you want in a faster time frame.

Please note: this advice is not for those seeking a complete career change but for people who want to move on and up in their current profession.

  1. Decide on your job search strategy

Without a job search strategy, you’ll be less purposeful in your job hunt and it’s likely to take longer, especially if you’re still in a full-time role.

There are two essential elements here to help you build your job search strategy:

First: key requirements.

What are your key requirements for your new role?

This includes:

  • tasks e.g. project management

  • responsibilities of the role e.g. managing people

  • logistics and practicalities, such as travel and flexibility.

You need to think about this so you can decide which are opportunities you want to go for and, importantly later on, whether you should accept something you have been offered. It allows you to make informed choices and decisions.

Remember, it’s not just about the employer selecting you; as an experienced professional, you are selecting them too.

Second: how you approach the market

Decide at the beginning how you want to approach the market as you look for opportunities. Some people just want to use recruiters or search online, others have a great network and want to explore that.

Whichever route(s) you choose, you need a plan against it which includes names, dates and actions.

Top tip: When it comes to working with recruiters, people all too easily expect that if they contact a recruiter and send them their CV then the opportunities will come. This is very rarely the case; a relationship needs to be built and that involves purposeful action.

Once you have created your strategy, consider accountability. One of the things that my clients find very valuable is how I help them build their plan, keep on top of it and alter it if appropriate. It’s the ‘keeping on top of it’ that is key. So, how will you be accountable for carrying out your plan?

  1. Be aware of and control your personal impact

When looking for a new role, people spend a lot of time thinking about how they come across in an interview; this needs to be expanded. You need to be aware of and control your personal impact when networking, with colleagues, through your online presence and your CV and at interview, as you never know who will put that word in for you or open that door.

Start by considering your career move ‘story’; the story about ‘why’ you are moving on. For example, telling your network and colleagues that you’re moving on because of the poisonous nasty office environment, no matter how true, might not create the impact you want.

I provide a lot of free resources about how to manage and control your personal impact (see resource list below) and read this blog about how to make a positive impact at interview.

  1. Use your network effectively

Hopefully, you already have and are maintaining your network on and off line, internally and externally. Use it. Many people are reluctant to, so here’s some suggestions for how to do so effectively and professionally:

  • Be clear about what you are asking of someone i.e. do you know of any opportunities at this level in your company; please can you introduce me to…

  • Have ready your ‘story’ about why you are seeking a new role, in case they ask

  • Always say thank you for their help and, ideally, give them feedback e.g. thanks for putting me in touch with xyz, it was helpful.

Now…focus

To help you prioritise even further, determine: which of these areas do you need to focus most on in finding a new job?

Whichever one it is, start there. You’ll feel better for addressing it, be more prepared, and be ready to go out there and get that job.

Best of luck.

Further help for finding a new role:

I hope this gives you clarity on your next career move priority actions. As well as free resources on my website, I also offer a free, no obligation, 30 minute Career Booster conversation. Do contact me if you want to start your next career move from a position of strength.

Free resources on my website include: