Many job seekers only examine their career options when something goes wrong with their current work situation. Sometimes a change in management or the merging of two companies forces us to look at ourselves. Perhaps we have felt overworked and underpaid for too long. Or maybe our co-workers are making our lives difficult.Most contemporary job seekers merely look at the want ads, and more recently, the internet as a means of determining their next career move. Although these can be useful tools, it is most important to do an internal search, rather than letting externals determine where you will work.What do I mean by an internal search? It it important to examine, know, and accept:

• What you like
• What motivates you
• What your marketable skills are
• What you enjoy
• What you are passionate about
• What you can accept
• What you are worth
• Where you would flourish

• Career development is an on-going process – constantly evaluating where you are and where you would like to go. It doesn’t stop just because you have found a new job.
• Sometimes, career opportunities are not clear-cut. Successful job seekers are confident of their skills and are not devastated by what appears to be minor setbacks.
• Consider that your options may be close to home. How can you impact your job or company? Can you expand your present responsibilities? Can you find a need that in not being met? How can you fill that need? Is your current company open to new ideas? Sometimes inside possibilities can present your best option.
• Sometimes your best allies are people who know your work – vendors, competitors, fellow members of associations, family, friends, co-workers (or people they know).
• If your present company and industry are stagnant, you may need to consider a new industry. If you have identified this as your career strategy, talk to people in other industries, take steps to learn the lingo; read trade publications and join associations.
• Look at how you do things and where you like to do them. Sometimes people are very happy with the work the do, the problem may be the environment. Corporations, nonprofits, government, consulting – all these areas have different work styles. Be aware of your preferred work style and work environment.
• Sometimes a total career change is needed when you have become dissatisfied with all aspects of your job. This will take a lot of work – deciding what you want to do – starting from scratch, and where you want to do it. This might be where you get career counseling, assessment, and do extensive research and networking concerning potential areas of interest
• Finally, career opportunities are everywhere – you just have to look, and to recognize them when they appear. The critical point is: are you ready? Are you ready to make the move. Before you jump in, consider all your options, in order to make the best possible decision.