Top 10 things to consider before you hand in your notice:

1. Chase Zander would always suggest that you have your next job lined up with contracts signed before you resign but sometimes that might not be possible but at the very least get yourself as far down the process as possible

2. If you haven’t got your next role lined up then do consider your finances and try to reduce your out-goings if need be to allow for a reasonable period (and over-estimate this to be safe) to find the job you want

3. What sort of reference would you like your current employers to give on your behalf? How you resign and act in your notice period can be the abiding memory people at your company have of you so act in good faith

4. Write a list of the things that you have liked and disliked in your career to date as this will help you define what you want in your next role. Also consider what your absolute ideal role would entail and consider whether you are qualified to get a job like that?

5. Consider the overall direction you want to take your career in and why. Don’t just take ‘another’ job unless circumstances force you to. Research shows that the most successful people tend to have a clear long term career plan. Follow both your head and your heart!

6. Touch base with all of your industry contacts and colleagues as early as you can before you resign. Ideally do this regularly as a matter of course and not just when you are desperate for a job. Well connected people normally find a job more easily and can reference possible companies more easily to help them find the right cultural fit. A personal recommendation is also a great way to join a company

7. Depending on the sensitivity / nature of your role be prepared that your employer may ask you to leave immediately so ensure that you have contact details for your colleagues or other key contacts who may be useful in your job search

8. Update your CV and start applying for jobs and send it to the relevant agencies in your field as soon as you canGet some interview practice under your belt even if it is just with a friend or your partner so that you are ready to interview for the job you really want!

9. Get some interview practice under your belt even if it is just with a friend or your partner so that you are ready to interview for the job you really want!

10. Remember leaving your employer without a definite job to go to can end up being an expensive exercise and leave a gap on your CV which is awkward to explain if you don’t secure something relatively quickly so do as much as you can before you leave to move towards securing that new position!

If you have found this article valuable then you may be interested to read some of our other job seeker help guides including some great video guides starring members of the Chase Zander team!

Top 10 things to consider when you start a search for your next job

1. Write a list of the things that you have liked and disliked in your career to date as this will help you define what you want in your next role. Also consider what your absolute ideal role would entail?

2. Consider whether you are qualified to get a job like that and if not what sort of training or additional experience you need to get first? Then create a plan of action to get you there. It may be that your ideal role is a step too far in which case look for a role which will offer you the right training and progression to achieve it.

3. Consider the overall direction you want to take your career in and why. Don’t just take ‘another’ job unless circumstances force you to. Research shows that the most successful people tend to have a clear long term career plan. Follow both your head and your heart!

4. Touch base with all of your industry contacts and colleagues as early as you can before you resign. Ideally do this regularly as a matter of course and not just when you are desperate for a job. Well connected people normally find a job more easily and can reference possible companies more easily to help them find the right cultural fit. A personal recommendation is also a great way to join a company

5. Update your CV and get it proof-read by several people including a specialist recruiter in your field and incorporate all feedback to make it the strongest possible tool to sell you for the role you want

6. Start applying for the type of jobs you are interested in and gauge feedback on your CV relative to your competitors. Do what you can to differentiate yourself positively

7. Send your CV to the reputable and relevant agencies in your field and articulate what you are ideally looking for ideally in the CV itself as cover letters often get separated.

8. Consider posting your CV to relevant job boards as this is a great way to let jobs find you. Be aware however that your current employer’s recruitment team may use these boards to find new recruits so it may pay to disguise your current employer etc.

9. Set yourself up for job alerts on the relevant job boards and websites of the leading recruitment agencies in your field.

10. Get some interview practice under your belt even if it is just with a friend or your partner so that you are ready to interview for the job you really want!

Good luck and feel free to contact the team at Chase Zander if you want any further tips or advice on what to consider when starting your search for a new job.

If you have found this article valuable then you may be interested to read some of our other job seeker help guides including some great video guides starring members of the Chase Zander team!