How to tell if you've made the right move

It's hard to tell if this is the job you thought it would be until you've been there a while, but that's what your probationary period is for. If it isn't everything you expected, it's better to know now while it's still easy to get out.

Many companies recycle job ads and job specs from one year to the next, so what you find yourself actually doing may be some way removed from what you expected. You should have cleared this up during the interview process, but you may have forgotten in the heady rush of landing the job. If what you find is not what you were expecting, talk to your line manager as soon as possible to resolve any difficulties you may be having.

How are things with your new colleagues?
Some workplaces can be very cliquey, and it can be hard breaking into the inner circle. If people are being actively obstructive or awkward, discuss the situation informally with your boss and see if you've been missing something. Sometimes, it may be some obscure form of test to see what you're made of. Other times it may just be plain rudeness, or people not being aware that you feel unwelcome.

You should also look outside the workplace to see whether the social life is all you'd hoped it would be. These things are rarely a major issue, but you should be aware of them. Don't think you have to sort any problems like this out on your own - that's the job of your line manager.

Are you getting the recognition you deserve?
This is very much a question of your new boss's expectations. If your goals are realistic, you've got a good chance of getting off to a good start; if not, you could quickly feel under pressure. With this in mind, make sure you are given clear key performance indicators and know what is expected of you. It's much easier to hit a target you can actually see.

Without overdoing it, make sure that you get recognition for any successful tasks or projects you've been involved with, and make sure your boss knows about your contribution. There are no prizes for sitting in the corner and letting everyone else take the credit.

You will have an assessment at some point during your probationary period – probably more than one – and this is a great time to clear up any misgivings you may have or to make sure your know what is expected of you and that it remains achievable. Don't be shy. Speak up and let your boss know how you feel about your new job.

What does the future hold?
No employer is going to broadcast to you in interview that the company is on the edge and in danger of going under. Equally, if your interviewer is an unpopular or incompetent boss, you're not going to know about that until you start work.

Other signs to look out for include the general atmosphere of the place. Is this a company going places, or beginning to panic? Do you colleagues talk about their recent successes, or are there darker mutterings around the corridors? What is the training and development situation? Did the HR people talk to you about it during your induction, or do people roll their eyes when you mention the subject?

Promises can be easy to make – actually seeing them through is much more difficult.

There can be a big difference between how your new boss presented himself during the interview, how the company presents itself through its website or job ads, and what you actually experience. If it doesn't feel right after the first couple of weeks or months, never be afraid to walk away. It's easier to do so during your probationary period and you've also got all the skills required to find a new job fresh in your mind.

When is it right to move on?

There are a lot of things to consider when deciding when and why to move on. To begin with, you need to assess where you are now, what you have achieved and where you want to be in a few years time.

What do you enjoy about your present job? What don't you enjoy? What do you feel is missing? What have you enjoyed about any previous roles you have done? What is the ideal situation for you? How will you know when you have achieved it? What obstacles are in your way? What can you do to overcome them?

Try to be systematic in answering these questions. Discuss them with friends, family or a professional career change expert and write them down. It's always easier to make an accurate assessment of a situation if it's clearly staring back at you from a piece of paper.

As well as your own personal motives for wanting to change jobs, there are plenty of other reasons out of your control that cause you to leave your current position, including:

• Potential financial difficulties for your employer
• Your company moving into an area of business you don't agree with
• A culture change in your company caused by a takeover or merger
• A collapse in communication with your manager or colleagues

Spotting when the time is right
If you do decide to leave a job, quitting at the wrong time can hit you in the pocket if you're not careful. For example, leaving just before your big bonus is due is not very sensible. It's a good idea to think about whether you're currently paid in advance or in arrears as any change may affect your monthly cash flow.

If you've got a holiday planned, wait until you get back before handing in your notice. Your new employer won't take kindly to you booking two weeks off during your probation period.

Because so many people take time off during summer and winter, May and October are often prime times to look for a new job. In preparation for a lot of their workforce being away, employers look to train up new recruits to cover the anticipated gaps. On the other hand, you may be missing out on overtime opportunities in your current role if you leave before the holiday period is over.

Leave in a position of strength
Once you've made the decision to leave, make sure you have somewhere to go before handing in your notice. Don't be tempted to storm off in a huff or make some sort of statement if it means leaving yourself vulnerable. It's much easier to find a job when you already have one. Long periods of unemployment sends out a bad signal to a future employer, with all sorts of questions about why you left, and could leave you out of work for longer than you think.

Don't ignore the consequences of quitting before you have a new job lined up, no matter how much you dislike where you're working. Apart from looking bad as you start applying for new jobs, voluntarily leaving your former role could compromise your eligibility for unemployment benefits.

Money shouldn't be the only reason
If money is the overriding issue in your desire for change, have the courage to address it before thinking about leaving. Find out the going rate for your job and, if you don't feel you're getting paid enough, ask for more. This can be a scary experience, but it could solve your problem. If your request is turned down, then you can take a view on whether it's the right time to leave. If you have the option to think in the long term, you may even consider taking a pay cut, but moving to a company where the career progression and wage increases will occur more regularly.