The statement "I want a new job" can often be just as easily "I want a better job", "I want a different job", "I want to know how to change my job" or "I want to improve the job I have".

We spend a huge amount of time at work, often more than we spend with our families or relaxing, so how happy we are in our job makes a huge impact on how the rest of our life feels. Here, I'll cover some practical tips for if you are ready to make that career change and help make 2010 a happy and successful year at work.

Before you get started take some time out to think about what your real goal is when it comes to your career. Is it a new job completely, or simply to improve your position where you are? When you take the time to build a really clear picture of what you want, you can use it as the foundation of your search. It means you aren't going off in different directions and can focus on what you essentially want.

If you are not sure where to get started with this, follow the pointers below, which can help you target your search.
* List the elements of your job you really like, enjoy, or love doing.
* List the elements of your job you know you are good or great at - both from how you feel and from feedback or appraisals you have had.
* List the opportunities you have at your existing job compared to the opportunities available to you if you make changes.

You can use the points above to help you consider how satisfied and happy you are in your current role and what level of change you want to make to your career in 2010. By identifying the route you would like to take you can follow a number of steps to make the change a success, whether it's making changes in your existing job, changing jobs completely or even completely changing your career path.

How to improve the job you have now
* Find out if you can do more of the work you really enjoy by talking to your line manager.
* Make proactive ‘offers', which raise your profile and look for the opportunities in your workplace that play to your strengths. Often when it comes to appraisal time, the people who spot opportunities and act on them are the people who really stand out.
* Do some training to get better skills in the areas of the job you'd like to enhance. This could either be because you feel that they are currently weak for you or because they are part of the role you'd like to have in the future.
* Find yourself a mentor who has the kind of role and attributes you'd like to have at work or see if you can work-shadow in other departments if you are looking to change role.
* Find opportunities to work across the organisation, or get involved in exciting voluntary positions to get better known in the company.

How to change company but stay in the same industry
* Use a strengths list to start creating an up-to-date CV that really focuses on what you can do. If you aren't great at blowing your own trumpet, think about hiring a CV writer to help you with this.
* Go through your past job roles and focus on what results you have got from your input. This is invaluable for creating stories for interviews as well as boosting your confidence.
* Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date. Consider using the search options to find out more about what different roles there are at other companies. Visit linkedin.com to find out more.
* Become more visible in your industry. Find out if there are speaking events, networking events or industry forums. This is a great way to get known outside your company.
* Look at job ads and think about what kind of companies appeal to you. Check out their website and Google the firms to find out what is being said about them and how they are really perceived.

And if you are ready for a complete change
* Research the types of roles you think you are interested in to find out what they pay, what qualifications you need and what the entry routes are. Online job boards, as well as newspapers are a good place to get started with this.
* Check out how a change will fit with your personal circumstances, for instance a drop in pay and how that will impact you. Plan before you act.
* Start reading around the industry - sign up for alerts and industry magazines in your new field to get a feel for what the hot topics are.
* Think about whether you could find any volunteer opportunities, or work shadowing in the type of company/industry you'd like to join.
* Ensure that you have your support network around you so that you can get additional help as you make these changes.

Whatever changes you are ready for in 2010, enjoy yourself and take the chance this New Year to step back and think about what you really want from your career, and what will essentially make you happy.

About Lisa Wynn and Corporate Potential
A former physiotherapist, Lisa Wynn started Corporate Potential 2004 and has worked with clients such as the BBC, Coca Cola, O2 and Universal Music Group.

Corporate Potential is a specialist executive coaching consultancy that believes that people are the true assets of any successful business. Its talented executive coaches aim to inspire leadership, culture and employees with an engaging, fresh, new approach to leadership development. For further information visit www.corporatepotential.com.

Stay tuned for our careers webchat with Lisa in January.
Get the look! Smarten up your working wardrobe in 2010 with our Quick shopping fix: fix up, look sharp!

Learn how to have more money from the author of Sheconomics