Increase Your Resume Success: Follow Up!Written by Jonathan R Taylor
Last week I wrote about importance of being proactive in job search process. In today’s market you must sell yourself just as if you were a sales professional working with a new prospect. The first part, as I discussed, involves getting targeted companies to recognize who you are. A well designed cover letter and resume that highlights your benefits to company can go a long way to getting your foot in door. Notice I did not say that it can go a long way to getting you a job! Too often, however, people develop an impressive resume, but don’t go any further in preparing themselves. I was surprised when I discovered that only about 2% of job seekers actually follow up their resume with a phone call to person in charge of hiring. It’s important to recognize that a well prepared resume is simply a tool to get you to next step. As a sales professional, I realize that if I send out 100 sales letters describing benefits of my product without following up, I’m probably not
| | How To Resign With Style & Get An Awesome ReferenceWritten by Sarah Breinig
Resigning Can Be Challenging The process of resigning and writing a letter of resignation can be quite stressful and intimidating since this is usually very emotionally charged. Do Not Vent Any Grievances The key to a successful resignation is to ensure that you do not transfer any of your negative emotions either verbally or in written from. Your objective is to keep it professional business like. Your resignation letter should be drafted just like any other business letter. Your letter of resignation will be final document (along with your exit interview notes) in your personnel file. Your resignation letter will be among first documents looked at when a prospective future employer calls to confirm references or if you ever reapply. Preserve Your Good Character & Reputation Resigning wrong way will "burn bridges" and will likely come back to haunt you in future. It will most certainly lead to bad feelings between you and your employer, a bad reputation and even a bad reference. Resigning right way will contribute to your goodwill and continued success in your career and personal development. You will also be able to maintain good links with your colleagues - who may have a direct or indirect impact on your future career progress.Considerations Before Resigning Carefully clear your mind and have a reality check. Evaluate all your reasons for resigning before you decide conclusively. After you make up your mind, be consistent and stick to it. Here are a few points to consider: •How will you handle a counter offer? Don't resign in order to leverage or negotiate a counter offer. It's unprofessional. Once you resign, your loyalty to your employer is in question. If you are a valued employee, you may be given a counter offer - but this may be just a way to keep you longer until a replacement is found. Also, if you've already accepted an offer with a new employer, retracting that offer may have a negative impact on your integrity. •Are you aware of company exit policy? Some companies will ask you to leave immediately once you give your resignation. This could be a problem if you were unable to pick up your personal belongings or documents from your work area or clean up your personal files from your computer. Find out how previous resignations were handled and don't give advanced notice of your impending resignation. •Are you aware of company compensation policy? You may automatically forfeit specific benefits when you resign. You may loose upcoming bonuses, severance pay, holiday entitlements, insurance benefits, retirement accounts, and company stock contributions. Study all contracts you have signed to fully understand this. •Are you leaving for reasons that might require legal counsel? If so, then consult an attorney before you submit a resignation or sign any documents. Issues involving discrimination, harassment, safety and fraud is better handled with advice of an attorney The Resignation Letter A good resignation letter can be short and concise, however, an exceptional letter of resignation accomplishes much more in that it leaves your current employer with a positive feeling about you and establishes a basis for positive references in future. Here are points to consider for your resignation letter: •Don't get personal or write personal remarks about your life and feelings in your resignation letter. •If you are leaving on bad terms, resist writing negative comments or complaints about company, job or employees in your letter of resignation. •Clearly state that you are resigning and effective resignation date. •Indicate that you regret leaving and mention positive things about your experience, your colleagues, your work and your company. •Express enthusiasm and appreciation for job and responsibility you've held and experience/knowledge you've gained. •Emphasize and highlight your most important contributions to company.
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