If one of your objectives for this year was to progress your career it is now time to stop, review and see how you are tracking.

For many of you changing roles may be what you need to do to get the exposure to build on your career. Deciding when the right time to move is often viewed as a dilemma. It is a big step and it is very important that you don’t act too rashly.

To help make this decision easier, write a list of the pro’s and con’s of your current role and aspects of your role that you feel you will not get access to.

Now look at what you want to achieve longer term. Perhaps your current role is not taking you on the path closer to your long term aspirations? Or further away? If the answer is further away making the move needs to be done sooner rather than later.

How to go about it

• You will now have a clear idea of what it is you want and don’t want in your new role. Use this as a rough guide of what you would like to get from your next role, and what you would like to achieve
• Now look at where you want to be and what role you need to secure to add another ’string to your bow’ to get you one step closer to that goal.

Research

• Time to get online and see what is out there, what is the current job market like for your skills and get an idea of your market value
• Know your resume – be able to confidently explain your previous roles at any time, in an interview, networking event, in the lift!
• Be prepared for those behavioral based interview questions at interview

You should regularly factor in a time to review and reflect where you are and where you want to be. It’s the only way you will get there.