Breaking It Gently: Crafting a Positive Job Resignation Letter

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Breaking It Gently: Crafting a Positive Job Resignation Letter

First, you have to explain why you want to leave the company. There may be a pile of reasons out there, but nothing seems to fit you in order to break up with them smoothly. Second, you have to ask for unemployment benefits and letter of recommendation to your next employer.

Whoever said that quitting a job is easy?

In case you're on the dilemma between pleasing your current employer and your co-workers, and doing the job you're happy about, then these tips on crafting a job resignation letter might come in handy:

1. Tell, don't vent out

It is important for a company to know why you're leaving, so be graceful and tell the reasons straight to the point. But mention it briefly, and without hint of emotional distress. However, if you're not really living for good, it's better to keep the grievances yourself. The thing is fairly simpler than you thought of. Say it in one or two sentences, never spill grim details and use polite words.

2. Offer them help during the transition period

This may not be necessary, but it will always be appreciated. Especially if you know that your post will be vacant for long, telling them that you are still willing to be involved until the next person comes is one of the best ways to end it up. However, this doesn't oblige you to perform your responsibilities until they found a replacement. Just say it out of generosity, let them know that you'll be willing to help whenever possible.

3. Timing is everything

Hand the letter a month before you resign if you don't want to be on bad terms with your employer. It is only fitting and ethical to give them time to process your papers and find someone to fill in your soon-to-be-vacant post. Just put it this way: if you don't give them prior notice, it's as good as saying to their face that "I don't care about your company. What I just want is to get out here fast!" Now, isn't that a pretty slick impression for your next employer?

4. Ask about benefits and recommendations

But don't ask demandingly. Just make a mention of it on your job resignation letter, and your employer will already get what you mean. If you will leave while on good terms with them, you're almost sure that it will be processed fast and without any hassle. If they don't, at least you are always comfortable to come back and ask for it.

5. Keep in touch

This is one of the wisest things to do. Emphasize on the notice that you will be keeping the communication line open for them and give them your contact details. As your former employer, they have all the opportunity to make or break you in your prospective company. Better if you will also give your contacts to your co-workers in case you want to put them as your reference. It is networking that will build you toward the work you want to have, so store plenty of linkages.

No matter how you wanted to cut the bond with your current employer totally, always remember that a smooth separation takes some time and preparation. A job resignation letter is not just an instrument to cut professional ties. It is also a medium toward understanding and continual growth.

Melinda Edwards works as a career consultant and has been invited in many forums and events on human resource management. She is also a time management expert who effectively performs her roles both as a career woman and a mother.

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Crafting The Perfect Cover Letter - Why You Must Be Careful About Using Online Examples

So, you are back in the job market? You're getting your resume all brushed up, putting yourself out there and hoping employers look your way. And now you hear that when submitting your resume to potential employers you should be including a cover letter.

But what is a cover letter supposed to look like? If you send a bad letter and the other competitors for the job send a good one, you are going to be out. So you've done what nearly everyone in your position does: you've went to the Internet looking for an example.

It's not a bad idea, because the person who took the time to make a webpage on the subject probably knows a few things about how to write a cover letter. But there are a few problems with this idea. You probably used one of the two most popular search engines to find the page with your sample on it, and these are the same two search engines everyone uses. So everyone is finding the same page and downloading the same letter. Sure, they will change it slightly, but when a hiring executive sees 80 versions of the same sample letter, do you think he is very impressed? I'll just let you know on that one: No, he is not impressed with that. He is bored.

So, assuming you don't want to bore the potential employers, you are going to need to work a little harder. Either you will want to dig much deeper and find better samples that are industry specific, or you will need to craft one from scratch using the samples for ideas. Either way, you will want to personalize each cover letter a little bit, saying a few words about the company and how you really would love to be a part of that team.

Either way, you need to realize that the cover letter is very important, and it is your best chance to sell your unique skills to the potential employer. In your resume you are pretty much required to just list the facts, but in the letter you can paint yourself in the best light, and enthusiastically tell why you will be an excellent employee.

Creating a perfect cover is not an exact science, but if you take the time to put a good, job-specific letter on each resume, your chances of getting hired quickly go up exponentially. Just remember to be enthusiastic, optimistic, and professional.

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When Crafting Your Resume, Avoid Meaningless Words

You've just crafted your resume, and upon further review, you determine that it needs an extra boost.

Are you just a general manager, or an "outstanding" general manager? You're not just a hard worker; you're an "exceptionally" hard worker. Instinctively, you're now confident that you've added the eye-catching punch that will boost your resume and differentiate you from the other candidates, right? Wrong!

Substantiate the added 'spice'

The fact is, these very same power words are also incorporated on the majority of resumes received by the company. Such vague and overused hyperbole is appropriate when employed by marketers to brand boxes of cereal and power drinks. Meaningless and overused adjectives such as exceptional, energetic motivated, effective, strong, good, excellent, outstanding, driven and seasoned do not belong on your resume unless you can substantiate the claim. Otherwise, it's in your best interest to leave out the added "spice."

So you're a team player

Some phrases should be avoided because they convey attributes that employers consider standard for any job applicant. Anyone who has ever worked in an office with at least one colleague can easily attest to being a "team player." Intuitively, if you aren't "results-oriented" and can't perform your duties in a "multitasking" environment, why should they bother recruiting you?

It's expected that you're "motivated." If you profess to be "effective" or categorize yourself an "excellent manager," how would a hiring manager know? Try to focus on why you are well-suited for the position. If you're over 50, "seasoned" is as commonplace as "energetic" is for inexperienced candidates. Beware: The savvy and discerning hiring manager can smell a spin in seconds.

Let manager judge your merits

The preferred route is to highlight your achievements and allow the hiring manager to make his or her own judgment call regarding whether or not you are actually a "strong leader." Provide specific and preferably quantifiable examples of your accomplishments to underpin your qualifications.

Incorporate terms that will inspire the reader and motivate him to take a much closer look at your resume. Such terms include: developed, researched, increased, reduced, improved, created, accomplished, won, on-time, and under budget.

Place yourself in the shoes of a hiring manager.

Would you be motivated to contact a job-seeker who described himself as a "strong manager" or someone who "increased division profits by 12 percent" and whose "diplomatic complaint resolution reduced employee attrition by 20 percent?"

Instill confidence

Your resume is your promise of value to a company. When crafting a resume, your challenge is to incorporate words that will positively influence the prospective employer by instilling confidence in your abilities.

A hiring manager needs to feel comfortable that you are the right choice, and that and that if hired, you will get things done with minimal fuss.

Lenny Keitel runs Hudson Valley Resumes in Monroe, NY, a premier nationwide Resume Writing Service with a penchant for crafting compelling resumes which inspire and motivate the hiring manager through its inspirational content, clarity, and visual appeal.

http://www.hudsonvalleyresumes.com/

info@hudsonvalleyresumes (email), (845) 782-6714 (phone/fax), (914) 782-6714 (mobile)

Read more ...

When Crafting Your Resume, Avoid Meaningless Words

You've just crafted your resume, and upon further review, you determine that it needs an extra boost.

Are you just a general manager, or an "outstanding" general manager? You're not just a hard worker; you're an "exceptionally" hard worker. Instinctively, you're now confident that you've added the eye-catching punch that will boost your resume and differentiate you from the other candidates, right? Wrong!

Substantiate the added 'spice'

The fact is, these very same power words are also incorporated on the majority of resumes received by the company. Such vague and overused hyperbole is appropriate when employed by marketers to brand boxes of cereal and power drinks. Meaningless and overused adjectives such as exceptional, energetic motivated, effective, strong, good, excellent, outstanding, driven and seasoned do not belong on your resume unless you can substantiate the claim. Otherwise, it's in your best interest to leave out the added "spice."

So you're a team player

Some phrases should be avoided because they convey attributes that employers consider standard for any job applicant. Anyone who has ever worked in an office with at least one colleague can easily attest to being a "team player." Intuitively, if you aren't "results-oriented" and can't perform your duties in a "multitasking" environment, why should they bother recruiting you?

It's expected that you're "motivated." If you profess to be "effective" or categorize yourself an "excellent manager," how would a hiring manager know? Try to focus on why you are well-suited for the position. If you're over 50, "seasoned" is as commonplace as "energetic" is for inexperienced candidates. Beware: The savvy and discerning hiring manager can smell a spin in seconds.

Let manager judge your merits

The preferred route is to highlight your achievements and allow the hiring manager to make his or her own judgment call regarding whether or not you are actually a "strong leader." Provide specific and preferably quantifiable examples of your accomplishments to underpin your qualifications.

Incorporate terms that will inspire the reader and motivate him to take a much closer look at your resume. Such terms include: developed, researched, increased, reduced, improved, created, accomplished, won, on-time, and under budget.

Place yourself in the shoes of a hiring manager.

Would you be motivated to contact a job-seeker who described himself as a "strong manager" or someone who "increased division profits by 12 percent" and whose "diplomatic complaint resolution reduced employee attrition by 20 percent?"

Instill confidence

Your resume is your promise of value to a company. When crafting a resume, your challenge is to incorporate words that will positively influence the prospective employer by instilling confidence in your abilities.

A hiring manager needs to feel comfortable that you are the right choice, and that and that if hired, you will get things done with minimal fuss.

Lenny Keitel runs Hudson Valley Resumes in Monroe, NY, a premier nationwide Resume Writing Service with a penchant for crafting compelling resumes which inspire and motivate the hiring manager through its inspirational content, clarity, and visual appeal.

http://www.hudsonvalleyresumes.com/

info@hudsonvalleyresumes (email), (845) 782-6714 (phone/fax), (914) 782-6714 (mobile)

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Resume Rescue: 5 Tips for Crafting a Resume for the Stay-At-Home Mom

An AOL reader asks, "I am currently a stay-at-home mom, but I want to start back at work as soon as possible. I'm intimidated when it comes to submitting a resume, because I don't have much work experience. I have been home for two years with my son. What do I put on my resume to explain this gap in work?"

1. Focus on volunteer experience.

Just because you didn't hold a paid position during the time you were taking care of your kids doesn't mean you haven't done any work that has provided value to someone. Perhaps you helped a spouse or family member with business tasks or ran events at your children's school. Or maybe you did work at local community center or place of worship.

2. Showcase functional skills.

Think about the skills you developed through these volunteer tasks. Perhaps you built up skills as a homemaker or volunteer in project management, event planning, administration, fund-raising, Web design, travel arrangements, teaching, or cooking. These valuable skills are easily transferable to paid opportunities.

3. Highlight relevant past experience.

Just because you haven't used a skill in a few years doesn't mean that the skill is obsolete. Describe what you did in your past jobs that is still relevant in the current market. For example, if you used quantitative, customer service skills in your last position, these skills will still be relevant.

4. Quote your cheerleaders.

Gather testimonials from organizations where you have done volunteer work or from friends/family you may have helped with a project and include this information on your resume. These testimonials can showcase a candidate's personal and professional attributes in an authentic way and elevate your skill set in the eyes of the employer.

5. Develop an online presence.

Make it easier for hiring managers and recruiters to find you by creating searchable online profiles on the top social media and online identity sites. You don't have to be currently working to have a profile on LinkedIn, ZoomInfo, or Google profiles.

In addition, be transparent when explaining on the resume what you have been doing for the past few years. It is better to account for the time as a stay-at-home mom on the resume than to neglect to reference the employment gap and let employers come to their own (and possibly incorrect) conclusions.

AOL Jobs has brought together some of the industry's top experts on job searching, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, networking, workplace issues, career management, employment news and trends and so much more. We have come together with one common goal -- to provide you the information you need, when you need it, to help you land (and keep) that job.

You can find this article and more at: http://jobs.aol.com/articles/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barb_Safani

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