What you need to consider when planning your next career move…

Whether you want to change industries, achieve a better work-life balance or simply need a new challenge, it’s never too late for a career change. However, there are a few things to consider in planning your next career move.

Your skills and experience
Create a list of your skills and experience, focussing on what you can do, not on what you can’t. Include your soft skills as well as your technical skills as these are often transferable no matter what line of work you choose to move into.

The industry or field of work
The industry or field you choose to work in has a major influence on your career opportunities, your financial well-being and your quality of life. When selecting an industry, it’s important to choose wisely and consider factors such as the market size and growth prospects, degree of risk and uncertainty and ease of entry and exit into that particular market.

Lifestyle
Your lifestyle aspirations change as your circumstances change and what you looked for in your first job may be very different to what you look for now. Ask yourself what environment you want to work in. If you’re looking for a better work-life balance, then you may target employers that offer flexible work hours or additional annual leave.

Location
When planning your next career move, it’s important to consider where you are willing to work. For example, would you be prepared to live in a remote community or commute more than an hour each way to work?

Salary
Don’t let dollar signs cloud your vision of your dream job. Some people take a massive pay cut to move from corporate life to the public sector but one year later are earning more than their corporate salary. There are many other benefits employers offer such as corporate gym memberships, sponsored health insurance and paid study leave which can add significant clout to your overall package.

Opportunities for career progression
No one wants to pigeon hole themselves into a corner career-wise and lack of career progression is a common reason people move jobs. Make sure your next job has opportunities for you to grow and develop with a clearly defined career path.

Speak to a Michael Page recruitment consultant today about the current job opportunities in your profession.