give yourself an advantage by drawing parallels between your old and your new employer. "It could be that they are both multi-sited or international, or you would be managing the same type of staff. Spell it out for a company, make the connections, find the 'ins'," says Mills. You have to be motivated to get any role -- employers want people with a high drive and determination -- even if it is within the same organisation. If you're not sure you want the job, you're not going to get it. Mark Staniland, managing director of Hays Career Transition Services , says: "Look at whether opportunities exist in the private or the public sector, whether you need to consider interim or temporary work and if your salary expectations are realistic. To get past the first hurdle, make sure your role and responsibilities are clear and don't confuse things with jargon that a prospective employer may not understand." Dunnett advises people who are searching for jobs to do so outside of their core office hours or away from the office: "If your current employer is going through a tough time, it won't look good if you are found to be job-hunting during company time." Action points  Look at where skills gaps exist and where opportunities are, and consider where they might be in the future  Consider an online career planning tool such as www.careerplan4.me , available free of charge through Jobcentre Plus, which offers advice on tackling the current jobs