It's a new year and more people are looking at possible career changes due to an improving employment outlook, but coaches say it's crucial to lay the groundwork before making any hasty decisions.

A stronger economy and some time to reflect over the holidays has left some workers feeling its time for a change, says Kelly Laverty, a Calgary business coach. He also warns employees to take the time to evaluate why they want to make a move before jumping ship.

"(Workers) have had time to reflect on the environment that they've had in the past year," says Laverty, with Focal Point Business Coaching. "It's a good time to start to reflect on if you're going to be able to achieve your goals if you spend another year in this organization."

He encourages employees to look at whether their employers have a clear mission and vision that's aligned with four key personal areas: the ability to compensate them adequately; happiness with the overall direction of the company; work-life balance; and support to achieve a desired level of health and fitness.

"If an employee is working 60 hours a week to try to move an organization ahead at the expense of family and relationships, then they're probably not satisfied with the job," says Laverty.

Once you've decided it is time to make a move, laying the groundwork to make a successful move includes measuring those four key areas against any potential new employer, but also developing a personal strategy to get there.

For employers, it means a more competitive job market. "Employees that are well sought-after are the ones that would be looking for an organization that's got a mission, a vision of what they're trying to accomplish," says Laverty.

Employees' personal strategy should look ahead two to five years as to where an organization wants to go.

They also need to make sure the basics are covered when on the hunt. Resumes should be kept updated, references called to ensure they're still on board to support you and reach out to your network of contacts.

The economic and job market has improved from a year ago, but that doesn't mean it's an employees' market -- yet. Preparing to make any job hunt a success depends as much on being thorough about the basics as it does about reflection on where you want your career to move in the future.

Employers are also getting back into their routines now and, while deadlines and projects are starting to pile up again, employee retention is crucial to hang onto those valuable employees as the economy recovers.

"What we find is that many businesses don't have a solid plan about how to go about . . . getting focused on what they want to accomplish in the year ahead," says Laverty. "It helps them rally the employees within the organization to focus on how to achieve those goals."

derek.sankey@telus.net