How to change jobs

There are many reasons for changing jobs, but top of the list are job dissatisfaction and career progression.Why is it important? There are many reasons for changing jobs, but top of the list are job dissatisfaction and career progression. All too often though, job changes are something that happen rather than are planned, or we make hasty moves that we later regret. So ensuring that your next job move works for you on a personal level, isn't a painful or difficult process, and forms part of a longer-term career strategy, requires some guiding principles to steer you in the right direction.Where do I start? Any move needs to be carefully thought through and sensibly planned to ensure you will not be taking a risk with your career.Why do you want to change jobs? If it is for career development, work out your long-term career objectives and what specific skills and experiences you need to bring about these aims.Be realistic though - high expectations are less likely to translate into workable solutions.If the motivation for change is dissatisfaction with your present role, you need to ask a few questions to get to the root cause. What made you take the job in the first place and what were your expectations of it? When did this great-sounding job turn out not to be what you thought it was? Has this happened before?"From this reflection, you may well be able to plan your change to avoid being in the same position when making your next move," says Malcolm Higgs, professor of HR management and organisational behaviour at Henley Management College