If you are thinking of your next career move, first have a clear career goal and a plan and then acquire the key competencies that are relevant for the desired plan to achieve your goal. There has to be a serious self evaluation before you begin action on your next career move. Do a complete knowledge check-up of the area you are interested in. This would involve an analysis of the opportunities that are present in your present sector / industry and what specific course will bring the desired goal.

• Avoid career breaks of over 2-3 years as it will make coming back more difficult.
• Never be apologetic about your career breaks to prospective employers.
• Be clear of what you want and how you will achieve your goal.
• Continuous Networking-Always stay in touch with friends, ex-colleagues, employers as well as your clients.

A professional need to ask these questions?

Am I in a industry with a future?
Am in a role in the industry that has a future in the industry or wider?
Do I have the skills needed to surge ahead in the career track?

Do I need to develop additional skills?
Do I need to need to change career and in such a case do I have the skills that I need ?
Do I have the background and personal abilities to make these competencies?
Do the Management or the corporate environment provides the opportunity for growth?

Importance of developing Key- Competencies-constant re-skilling is the need of the day

Employees who constant re-skill themselves , who actively solicit feedback while working at developing relevant competencies will be leaders and those who sit back and wait for someone to tell them what they need to do - demonstrate a lack of competencies to succeed in a demanding world. Today, companies need people who can think out-of-the-box. A team builder and motivator is what everybody is looking for. He has to be a very good communicator and very sensitive, who understands social forces working within the office and outside. Sometimes communication skills matter more than technical skills