Before making any major change, spend some time considering and assessing your current talents, connections, ambition, level of influence, health, finances, and self-confidence. Whether you're considering changing jobs, relocating, or making any major move, ask yourself the following questions with respect to each of these equity issues. A good way to do this is to take a sheet of paper, divide it down the middle, label one column "pro" and the other "con," and see what comes up.

1. TALENTS

Identify your skills; list them and give yourself credit for all the things where you excel. Are your skills being used in your work? Do you feel bored or over your head? Can your skills be used in other areas internally, or is a major transition out of the company necessary? Are you developing your skills and building new ones to keep pace with technology, your profession, and other industry changes?

2. CONNECTIONS

How active have you been in networking in your career? Do you have a good assortment of acquaintances and advocates whom you can turn to for help with whatever you are pursuing? Is your address book (or rolodex, or PDA) up to date? Do you keep the lines of communication open with your network? Are you a go-to person? Are you available to help others in the field? Do you make an effort to attend social events that relate to your work and interests? Do you have an objective idea of how others perceive you? (If you don't, ask around.). Its valuable to

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know if your name comes up among respected people in your field.

3. AMBITION

How ambitious are you? Are you willing to work hard to achieve a goal? Are you willing to do the necessary research, make cold calls and initiate interviews? It takes gumption, courage and commitment to reach specified goals. Be sure that you are aware of your level of ambition before tackling a new situation.

4. LEVEL OF INFLUENCE

Have you proven your expertise so that colleagues trust both your abilities and dependability? Do people listen to you? Do they come to you for suggestions? Are you seen as an idea person? Are you sought after to serve on committees? If you've been a quiet mouse for 20 years you won't easily be able to make a radical change. If you want to be included as a major player, you have to play the game. A lot of this has to do with how others perceive you. Correct any outdated perceptions of others. ("Yes, I used to be shy and passive, but now I'm a fireball. And here's why&").

5. HEALTH AND FINANCES

Be sure you're strong enough and solvent enough to make the desired change. Review your investments, savings, and state of health at the present. Compare that with what you want for the future. Is it worth it to make the change?

6. PERSONAL PREFERENCES

Understand your preferences: work near home vs. commute; formal vs. informal attire; flexible vs. rigid hours; travel or not; salary and bonuses; options for development and advancement; work alone or with others; work with peers or with experts; need (or not) for perks, etc.

Review the notes you've taken. See if you want to add anything from your pool of experience. When you've assessed these six items, you will be able to determine what really matters to you. Remember, no one owes you anything and there are no guarantees. Now express your desires to potential employers. As they say, success comes to the prepared mind. Don't be like Ned, who jumped out of his frying pan and was fired. If these thoughts trigger ideas for you, we'd enjoy hearing from you. Write to us at joyce@u-wisdom.com and share your perspective.