The decision to change jobs can be an exciting one, but it can also be daunting if you're not sure what your next steps are.
If you've been thinking about a role change but aren't ready to leave your current company, consider how you might stay and make progress toward your goal. Speak with your manager about what could be on the table in terms of training, promotions, and other opportunities that put you in a better position as far as your career goals go. If the answer is "nothing" then the next step can be to evaluate what else might be out there for you.
Once you've decided on looking for a new role, think about career strategy - what’s the big future goal for your career, and which role would take you one step closer? Create a stepping stone approach and analyse any job offer through the lens of this question: ‘does it take me closer to my big goal?’ If the answer is no, consider letting it go. It’s better to take a role that pays less but moves you forward to an exciting future, than an enticing salary or title which doesn’t actually deliver you to your future goals.
Then ask, who can help you get there? An expert recruiter will help mentor you through the process and be worth their weight in gold. Don’t forget other routes such as using your network and keeping on top of trade press to see who is hiring.
As for salary ranges, do your research if you're looking to move, because it's best to know what a realistic offer looks like before starting negotiations - this is another area an expert recruiter can help with.