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The job is becoming routine and stale. Your coworkers no longer seem to be interesting, funny, or even pleasant to be around. You take a look at your paycheck and groan inwardly as you realize it just is not quite enough. Even getting up in the morning to go to work has become a burden too great to carry. It may be time to make a move.

Other factors can lead to this decision. Frequently, some minor change in the atmosphere at work can tip you into making a career move. Your good work friend gets a fabulous offer and leaves. Maybe that raise you were deserving did not materialize. Sometims, down-sizing just rears its ugly head and looks at you. Suddenly, you are in the market for a new position.

Having made such moves numerous times, I may not be an expert, but I am certainly a veteran. I have never been fired. One time I was layed off. The other times, I have either felt the uneasiness of an unsure job, or my current position is just unsatisfying. Money is not everything. Most people like the other aspects of their jobs as much as the income.

Resumes are easy to produce. Make sure that you are not like one poor soul from my past whose boss found his resume in the copier. That's not a great career move. There are many books to help guide you if you need it. Ask friends who have recently changed jobs if you can look at their successful resumes. Fresh information from these up-to-date resumes will help you find what resonates with current employers in your area.

For some reason, resume styles and interview questions seem to key off current fads in the market. You need to learn these. Interview these friends about what questions were asked. Be sure to learn their responses that brought nods and smiles.

Keep your resume as honest as possible. Good interviewers are not easily snowed. Besides that, if you can't deliver on the job, you will back on the market before you long. Remember, we're talking career not temp job.

Be prepared that it could require three or more interviews before you master the current trends. Don't be afraid to write multiple resumes and keep track of which ones are successful to gain an interview. Of the good ones, pay attention to the ones that seemed to open the door best. Enhance those and consolidate into one if you have not already been hired. This should be a dynamite document now. Do not be afraid to send the resume in the hand of a trusted friend who works for the company.

Don't overlook the small things. Wear shoes that shine. Keep your interview clothing fresh cleaned and pressed. Spray paint on a permanent smile. Think optimistically. Dress conservatively unless you really want that job as a male/female stripper. Smell clean but not too perfumed. None is best if you are clean and are not permeated with pet or cigarette odor. Some people have sensitivities and allergies from the smell goods.

Spend time learning something about the companies that call you. If possible, learn something about the person who does the hiring. You will eventually meet this person. Go in armed with everything you can. Get a nice soft sided case or portfolio to carry your materials to the interview. Take a few extra copies of your resume because you may have multiple interviews and not everyone may have one. They're cheap. Spread them around.

Back to where I started for one last suggestion. If more money is not a necessity to survive, look for companies that offer a challenge and great working environment with adequate pay and benefits. In the long run, these will be more important to your willingness to stay put. People can be happy going to work. Very few stay happy if money is the only motivator.

Learn more about this author, Allen Teal.
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