Are you about to make your career move? Then ask yourself...

What do you need to do before you make your career move?

There is actually some important business to take care of before you start making changes to your career.

This important business primarily relates to you.

Managing your Career Brand

This is even more important when you are changing jobs or careers while working for the same company or employer. The same applies even if you are moving to another company.

You will be familiar with the word or concept called 'brand' or 'image'.

So, what does your Career Brand Image consist of?

It is made of several things, but primarily they are:

• How you come across to others
• How you portray yourself
• How you work, perform and deliver
• What you stand for

All of these go towards making up your career 'brand' or 'image'.

Establishing a good Career Brand

This is a critical step to take before you make your career move.

You are the best judge of your own credibility.

Look yourself in the mirror (if you need to) and ask yourself how others perceive you. Do they perceive you as a person with solid credibility or someone who is shaky?

Who do you think will be more successful in making the career change? The person with the solid credibility or someone who appears shaky?

You may think that going to a new employer may not be an issue if you have a shaky credibility since no one knows you. But think twice. Your shaky credibility will come through in many ways - usually how you portray yourself subconsciously to your new employer.

Sometimes it could be through a reference check. At other times, it may show itself through your poor performance after you have been employed.

It is just not worth it. Consider developing a solid credibility before you make your career move.

Let us take a look at how you build credibility before you make your career move...

Building credibility of your Career Brand

You can do this by:

• Improving performance in your present job or profession
• Adding more value in your present job before you make your career change
• Establishing strong and positive relationships with your team members, your subordinates, your own manager and other managers

As you are doing this, consider engaging key people in your organization in an ongoing dialogue about your career.

You can explore your career goals and interests with your managers before you make your career move.

This is particularly important if you are considering changing jobs or careers while staying with the same company or employer.

"Career Insider" is a FREE e-zine that provides you with great ideas on how to maximize your career potential.