Where do I start?

One of the first questions you have to ask yourself is why do you want to seek a new opportunity. If you are not honest at this point, you are placing additional obstacles in your path to finding the right role. Even before you consider drafting your résumé, you should consider some key questions.

• What are your marketable skills? - take an honest, but not too harsh, look at your skills; identify those you want to develop and how this fits into your career plan. If there are certain skills you believe are missing from your skill set, factor these into your plans.

• Which business sector would you prefer to work in? - be realistic - which sectors would you like to work in and which sectors could you work in. At this point, it is also worthwhile trying to identify which areas or companies you would not want to approach.

• Where do you want to work? - if the answer to this is "I would consider anywhere" do you really mean this? Are there any towns, regions or countries that you would definitely not contemplate and what do you consider is a reasonable commute?

• What type of remuneration package are you seeking? - market forces ensure that most companies are realistic when it comes to remuneration, but the way the package is designed can differ enormously. If the exclusion of a company car or the inclusion of an equity package is a high priority, it needs to be included in your search and highlighted to your advising consultant.

At the point at which the candidate decides to look at the market, we strongly suggest a detailed conversation with one of our sector specialists. This is because each and every individual will have different priorities, which should shape their search for the most appropriate career move.

Our consultants are qualified to advise independently on issues such as effective CV marketing and document preparation based on what various recruiters and clients may look for.

Interview/assessment preparation and techniques may vary dependent upon the seniority of the role applied for. Each stage of the interview process is likely to demand a slightly different approach. Again, our sector specialists are well placed to offer guidance throughout.

Once a candidate has been successful in securing a verbal or formal offer from one of our clients, it is imperative that the negotiation of an appropriate package is managed with tact and diplomacy. It is recognised by clients and candidates alike that we aim to reach agreement sensitively and objectively.