Know What You Want

Before you consider changing jobs, it's important to know what you want. It's fine to go for a couple of test interviews for jobs that really don't matter to you, but when you're sitting in front of an interviewer for a job that you really want,  it is essential to know what you want. The foundation to negotiation is confidence and being clear with your intention.

 Are you looking for full-time work or part time? Would you be willing to accept four days a week instead of five? Is a set salary critical to your financial security or would you be willing to accept salary plus commission? Are you willing to trade a little bit of salary for increased flexibility?

 These are the type of questions you need to ask yourself as part of the process of changing jobs. It is important to understand what's driving you to change jobs. Salary is the obvious contender, but often there are emotional issues that lie underneath. Are your travel time or work hours long and adding to your guilt of not been around your children often enough? Are the people around you making you feel a bit of an outsider? Only you will know the real reasons why you wish to leave, but it's important that you’re honest with yourself.

 Once you know the reasons, you'll be in a better position to know what you want in a new job. Then set your intention and hold onto it! Being clear about what you want is one thing; being determined to get it, another.