You will change your job; perhaps, sooner than you would think. People rarely put 20 and 30 years into their jobs. And, you might be surprised you’re likely to change employers frequently, especially in your first career years.

Forbes noted, “Leaving a job is scary. [But| Once you know exactly where you are headed and how it will fit into your overall trajectory, you can take that step with confidence.” So, if you are on the lookout for a new job, you should think things over well.

7 Questions You Need to Ask Yourself

1. Why am I leaving?
   Change means more stress than you know. So you should weigh the pros and cons of moving on. If the sole incentive is more money, you could be making a mistake.
   If the problem is your boss’s management style, if the job is just boring, if there are no clear career paths, you must decide if your new opportunity will solve those concerns.
2. What am I looking for? Preparing a checklist of needs and expectations can prepare you for job interviews.
   With the checklist in mind, you can better arrange your resume and persona to target those core concerns. Your checklist will help you distinguish preferred employers from a list of losers.
3. What’s my transition plan? If you intend to quit and then look for a job, you need income during that job search. If you will continue to work while you look for a new position, you need a plan in place for scheduling interviews.
   It’s the plan that’s important. You will be balancing two paths, and it will affect your work/life balance. So, you should handle it as a project management issue.
4. How effective is my resume? A resume is a dynamic record requiring regular updates. It may record your work history, but it’s more important to design it with the desired job in mind.
   A job search needs fresh resumes individually designed to match the employer’s advertised needs. It takes work and agility to stay on top of it, but you can build effective resumes faster at LiveCareer.
5. What’s in it for me? The job change should be selfish. It should be about your future and drive. You need to visualize the fulfillment the new job provides.
   There are money and benefits, of course, but you must feel what the job will do for your future. For example, benefits like continuing education or tuition reimbursement will better your life.
6. What’s the risk? Changing jobs involves some risk. You must be up to the new job’s challenges. Your family must be ready for the transition. And, you must know what your risk tolerance is.
   So, you want to look for psychological safety in the new employer’s culture, an environment that will reduce that risk.
7. Am I ready for interviews? Quality employers take their recruiting process seriously so you can expect thorough and challenging interviews. Lesser employers handle interviews like a necessary administrative evil.
   So, while it may be tougher in you, solid interviews indicate a strong corporate culture, something you want to join.

On the Lookout for a New Job?

New jobs rarely fall into your lap. It’s up to you find opportunities and gather your assets to capture that moment. As Allison Jones says on Fast Company, “You need to think more concretely about your motivations, needs, skills, and what you’re willing to do–or give up–in order to find that great opportunity.”