The snowdrops are out, the crocuses are starting to appear and it's at this time of year that many people start to dust off their c.v. and look for a new job. So if you are thinking about a job move, then we have drafted in Corinne Mills, Managing Director of Personal Career Management, to provide some useful tips.

According to Corinne, the biggest mistake that most people make when looking for a new job is lack of focus. "It amazes me that so many people look for another job without having a clear idea of what they are looking for".

In fact Corinne estimates that well over 80% of job-seekers are unclear about what they want next. "The problem with this is that they waste time and energy applying for things which aren't right for them". In addition, she says that more often than not, when people don't know what they want next, they simply fall into roles that resemble their last ones.

She advises taking time out to consider your career options and aspirations before starting to apply for jobs. "Take a good honest look at what we at Personal Career Management call your "career capital" i.e. your skills, experiences and personal qualities. Then think about what you want from your career. How would you like it to be different?"

She also suggests asking people who know you and whose opinion you respect for their advice about potential roles or organizations that they think might fit your criteria. "Other people can be a great source of ideas and information if you only ask them".

However she says that if this doesn't work, then she would suggest working with a specialist career coach. "Sometimes people can get stuck. They want to move their career forward but just don't know where to start and in these circumstances professional specialist help is enormously helpful".

The next stage is to research the job market by talking to agencies and employers about the kind of roles and organizations you are interested in. She recommends that you scrutinize job ads to obtain a detailed sense of what they are looking for in their candidates. Then tailor your c.v. to match exactly what they are looking for. Where there are any gaps that the employer could find significant, then you should demonstrate in your covering letter and at interview exactly how you intend to bridge the gap.

Corinne recommends that you "Make it as easy as possible for an employer to picture you in the role. Identify what they are looking for and then cherry-pick from your experience to give them lots of examples of how you can meet their specific requirements."

Having genuinely thought through why you are applying for the job in the first place, will also put you a step ahead of the competition. At interview, you will be able to answer your questions honestly, rather than relying on the formula answers that interviewers have heard a hundred times before. This greatly enhances your credibility and will show how committed you are to the role - a definite plus point.

Given how much time you spend at work, it certainly makes sense to think carefully and creatively about your options and do your research, before you start sending out your c.v. It means that there is a much higher chance of you actually ending up with a job that you really want.

Happy job-hunting!