Resignation Tips - Cover Your Bases

Resigning? - Make Sure To Cover Your Bases On The Way Out!
1. - Breaking The News To Your Boss
You should resign in person to your boss. Present a copy of your resignation letter. Be simple, direct and most importantly respectful. The only reason you should give for leaving is that you have decided to take another position or purse other opportunities. No matter how unhappy you were with conditions at your present job, hold these feelings in check. Most importantly, do not tell any co- workers of your leaving until you have told your boss.

2. - The Resignation Letter.
A formal, typed, signed resignation letter should be presented to your boss when you meet to break the news. Keep the letter as simple as possible. The letter should state that you are leaving to take another position and your effective last day. Do not add details about your new position or the reasons you are leaving your current company. Take a look at some excellent examples of resignation letters.

3. - Give Adequate Notice.
In most industries it is the norm to give 2 to 4 weeks notice when leaving a job. Remember that it is often difficult to fill open positions. You do not want to burn bridges by leaving your department in a rush. In some departments, you may be asked to leave as soon as you resign due to security concerns. Even if you have noticed that this is the practice, still offer a few weeks notice in your letter; it is up to your employer whether they take it or not.

4. - Be Prepared For Resistance.
Your current boss may not want you to leave. It takes time and money to hire and train new employees. It is often easier to entice someone to stay than to start from scratch. Be mentally prepared for this resistance. Enticements to stay often include more money or more reasonable hours. Before you resign consider how you will respond should your boss make a counter-offer.

5. - Avoid Negative Talk.
Once word gets out that you are leaving, unhappy co-workers may think you are the perfect person to complain and commiserate with regarding all that is wrong with company. Be wary of joining them in their grumbling. You never know if you might someday wish to work for your present company again. You certainly do not want for anything you say on your way out the door to come back and haunt you.

6. - Don't Slack Off.
Securing a new and more appealing job is no excuse for not getting your current work done. You should continue to come to work on time. Do not leave early or take 2-hour lunches. Strive to be productive. If possible try and finish projects before you leave. You were a hard worker before you gave notice. Don’t destroy that hard-earned good reputation by giving in to short-timer syndrome.

7. - Remove All Personal Items.
When you leave take all your personal possessions with you because once you leave you may never see them again. This includes personal files stored on your computer. Companies often erase hard drives when preparing to re-issue computers to other employees. Make sure you take all pictures, books, etc.

8. - A Positive Exit Interview.
Many employers conduct exit interviews with departing employees. Typical topics include experience at the company and reason for leaving. Do not use this as a forum to vent your frustrations. Be as gracious as possible; speak of your appreciation for your experience at the company. 

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Cover Letters: More Helpful Hints

Sell yourself.

We're not talking about Amsterdam's Red Light District. We're talking about finding a job. Cover letters are your first sales pitch to potential employers. Remember that employers receive hundreds of resumes and cover letters from people that are applying for the job YOU want. Your goal is to stand out from the other candidates. A good cover letter introduces you to an employer and explains why you are one of the best candidates applying for a job with the organization. It should motivate the employer to read your resume and hopefully invite you to interview for a position you are seeking.

What does a cover letter do? Basically, it expands on your resume and lets you write about yourself in a more personal way. Cover letters don't have to be stiff and formal--avoid the "rubber stamp" letter. The voice behind the letter should be warm, friendly and genuine. Employers want to hire real people, not robots. Although your letter should reflect your personality, always keep your audience in mind. Catchy opening sentences are wonderful for creative jobs in communications and advertising, but Wall Street might not appreciate it. Before you send out your cover letter, show it to someone in the industry to get feedback.

Ten Basic Rules:

1. Type each letter or use a computerized cover letter service so each letter looks individually typed.
2. Use 8 1/2" x 11" bond paper that matches your resume.
3. Address each employer by name and title. Never send a "Dear Sir/Madam" letter-- it's too impersonal.
4. Send your letter to the highest-ranked official possible so that it will receive immediate attention.
5. Check for grammar and spelling errors. This letter is the first example of your writing skills and how you present yourself.
6. Keep your letter short (three to five paragraphs) to hold the reader's interest.
7. Start your letter with a strong, attention-grabbing sentence.
8. Mention past experience along with recent accomplishments.
9. Convince the company that they want you and need you. Propose a mutually beneficial association with that employer.
10. Have an aggressive closing paragraph and state a specific action, i.e., I will call you in ten days to set up an interview. P.S.: It is important to keep a record of all your correspondence and what stage each application is in.

Purpose & Strategies

• •   Your cover letter is more than likely the first contact you will have with a potential
      employer. If it is well-written, your letter will lead the reader to your resume. If your letter is
      poorly written or produced, the employer may not even take time to review your resume
      and your application has a good chance of ending in the circular file.
• •   When you prepare the cover letter put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. If you
      were doing the hiring, what attributes would the ideal candidate for this job possess? You
      probably would prefer that the person has work experience similar to, or at least
      applicable to, the position he or she is applying for. You would want the ideal candidate
      to be ambitious and anxious to contribute his or her energy and skills to the success of
      your organization. The perfect candidate would demonstrated interest in, and knowledge
      of, your particular company or organization. In short, you would want to hire an energetic,
      dedicated and skilled candidate.
• •   The cover letter affords the opportunity for you to present yourself as the perfect candidate.
      Imagine your cover letter as a marketing tool, much like a television commercial. Effective
      commercials catch your attention by highlighting only the most attractive features of a
      product.
• •   Highlight your most attractive features as a potential employee. Remember, employers
      typically receive hundreds of applications for each job opening. No one is going to waste
      time reading through a long letter crammed with text. Be brief. You should avoid detailing
      your entire work history. The best way to distinguish yourself is to highlight one or two of
      your accomplishments or abilities that show you are an above-average candidate for the
      position. Stressing only a few unique attributes increases your chances of being
      remembered by the recruiter and getting to the interview stage, where you can elaborate
      on the rest of your accomplishments.
• •   Taking time to research each employer promises to be much more effective than sending
      out hundreds of form letters. In effect, you are saying to employers, "This is where I want
      to work. I have done my research and I am confident in my decision."

More Cover Letter Tips

• •   Never send out a resume without a cover letter.
• •   Address your cover letter specifically to the person by name and title who will most likely
      be interviewing for the job you have in mind.
• •   Call the employer's switchboard to ask for this information.
• •   If you are answering a blind newspaper advertisement- one in which the employer is not
      specified- you can address your letter "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Hiring
      Manager."
• •   The cover letter should be neat, contain no typos, misspellings or errors in grammar.
      Employers judge you on your ability to communicate and your ability to manage the
      presentation of information. A cover letter does both.
• •   Use 8 1/2 x 11 paper allowing a border of at least one inch. This allows space for the
      reader to make notes.
• •   Use the same quality paper as your resume. Match envelope as well.
• •   Use a clear type face large enough to allow easy reading. Avoid script and other exotic
      typefaces.
• •   Individualize your cover letter. Each cover letter you write will have a somewhat different
      slant, depending on what skills are important to the needs of the particular employer.
• •   Whenever possible, do some research on the organization or company before you write
      your cover letter.
• •   Read annual reports or product brochures or by contacting people in the organization.
• •   Keep it to three or four paragraphs and no longer than one page.
• •   Always close your cover letter with a request for an interview.
• •   Suggest a specific time or reason, such as: "I will be in your area next week and would
      appreciate the opportunity for an interview on Tuesday or Wednesday."
• •   Be assertive.
• •   Make a record and keep a copy of each letter and resume you send.

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Tips For Writing Cover Letters

Aaah...the dreaded cover letter. Or is it? Cover letters are actually a great way to set yourself apart from the rest if you write it correctly.

Cover letters allow you to actually get your personalized message across to the hiring manager or possible interviewer. The key is to be brief and direct...just like a resume...the person on the other end will want to quickly read your cover letter...so make sure you don't write a short story.

Use the cover letter to peak the interest of the reader. The purpose here is to get the reader interested so that he/she will want to examine your resume.

Keep reading below for some of the finer points to writing effective cover letters. Use a combination of these tips and fine tune your cover letter for maximum results!

Tips For Writing a Cover Letter

1. Each letter of application should be original, typed in business form standard size paper, and directed to a particular individual by name and title, preferably to the person who has the authority to hire you.
2. Your letter should serve as an introduction to your resume. Draw attention to a particular skill or accomplishment that has meaning to the organization. Its inclusion in the cover letter communicates that the writer has researched the organization, knows the organization's needs and can fulfill those needs. Limit your letter to a few paragraphs. If you have done considerable research on an organization, you may want to make the letter longer.
3. Use simple direct language and proper grammar. Clearly state why the organization is of interest to you. Let your letter reflect your personality, but avoid appearing too aggressive or humorous.
4. Close with a statement that indicates some action -- preferably yours. You control the communication when you indicate that you will call the reader's office to set up and appointment at a convenient time rather than to wait for the reader to contact you.
5. Proofread your letter for errors! Keep a copy of all correspondence.

Cover Letter Writing Suggestions

• •   Write to communicate, not to impress
• •   Get to the point
• •   Be active, not passive
• •   If you mean I, say I
• •   Use short, familiar words
• •   Use contractions
• •   Go on a "which" hunt
• •   Ask questions
• •   Be specific

Basic Rules For Good Cover Letters

1. Personalize each letter to the interviewer and to the organization. Don't use a blanket form letter for all letters of inquiry.
2. Open your letter with a strong sentence that would make the reader take notice. Some students compliment the person or organization based on information they have gathered ahead of time. For example referring to the interviewer's recent published work or to the organization's newest grant is a great way to get them interested in you.
3. Appeal in your letter to the self-interest of the person to whom you are writing. Include clues that indicate that hiring you will lead to higher production, greater efficiency etc..
4. If at all possible, include some challenging thoughts that will cause employers to feel that discussion with you would be worthwhile even if they really hadn't been planning to hire anybody right now.
5. Keep your letter short to hold the reader's interest and to save you time.

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Covering Cover Letters

Why A Cover Letter is More Than Just A Dust Jacket

Do I really need a cover letter?" We are asked this question a few times every month. We get the impression that people are hoping we will say, "No! You do not need a cover letter. Your résumé's great. It can stand on its own." After putting so much time and effort into their résumé, it is easy to understand why people might think the cover letter is nothing more than a "dust jacket" for the real article, Just one more piece of wasted paper that delays getting to the good stuff. What do most cover letters say, after all, but, "You've got a job, I've got a resume. Hope to hear from you soon."

But the cover letter is more than a way to dress up your résumé. It has a beneficial purpose. If written well (focusing on how and why your particular skills, experience, achievements, and personality can benefit a specific position and company), your cover letter can encourage your reader to turn to your résumé with genuine interest.

What the Cover Letter Does that the Résumé Does not

While your cover letter acts as an introduction, it can also take your résumé's information one step further by showing your reader how your history and past achievements can be applied to meet the needs, concerns, missions, and goals of the company you are targeting. In this way, your cover letter not only confirms your qualifications for the position, but also indicates that you are the right person for this company.

In order to present your qualifications in a meaningful way to your specific reader, you need to do some homework on the company you are targeting. Learning all that you can about a company, knowing what they are trying to achieve, what their products or services are, who comprises their customers or clientele, what their strengths and weaknesses are, what their concerns are, who their competitors are, and how well they are achieving their goals, will not only help you identify ways in which your skills can be directly applied for the company's benefit, but can also help you determine if this is a company where you want to work.

In doing your company homework, you may discover an area where your skills or background can make a substantial, positive difference for the company you are targeting. Nothing will advance your opportunities faster than finding a couple of flaws or deficits in the way a company manages its operations and showing how your particular area of expertise can solve this problem in a cost-effective manner ~ just be careful how you present these flaws. No one wants to hear that they are not doing a terrific job, but everyone likes to hear, "I have some ideas that could really make this particular effort fly, and I would like to talk to you about them."

Knowing that you have something valuable to offer is a great incentive for a recruiter to want to meet you in person to learn more (the interview).

Getting information on companies of interest has never been easier. The Internet has opened the doors to information access, from the comfort of your own home (please, do not do this research on your current employer's computer). Since most companies have Web sites these days (and, by the way, many of these company sites also post job opportunities), the opportunity to learn what a company is doing, who their leadership is, who their clientele is, what their products or services are, and what they are hoping to achieve in the future is just a few mouse clicks away, And resource sites such as Hoover's (www.1st-impact.com/tools.htm) allow you to gain additional information, regardless of whether or not a company has its own web site.

Your local library is also a great resource. Tell the Librarian what you are trying to achieve, and you may be surprised by the number of resources available. A few resource guides worth mentioning are: "Corporate Jobs Outlook", "Corporate Technology Directory", "Directory of Corporate Affiliations", "Directory of Leading Private Companies", and "The Almanac of American Employers". Doing a search on the library computer may turn up additional articles, press releases, or annual reports, all great indicators of what a company is trying to achieve and how well they are doing.

Once you have a solid understanding of your target, you need to identify how your skills, experiences, education, achievements, and personal characteristics will meet the needs of the particular company. One easy way of determining this is by considering what it is about the company that (after having learned all you can about them) makes you want to work for them. What do you envision yourself doing for them, for their benefit? How do you see yourself making a difference?

When in my Cover Letter or Résumé Should I State What I am Hoping to Gain from Employment?

Never.

The simple truth is, at this stage of the game, your reader does not care about what you want or what you are hoping to gain from being employed at their company. Right now, your reader only cares about what you can do for them.

You want your reader to act (hopefully by calling you to discuss the position and establish an interview date ~ or at least to be willing to accept a call you have indicated you will be making). Later, during the interview phase, you will have an opportunity to address how the position fits your needs, but, at this point, every effort you make needs to be focused on the needs of the reader, the position, and the company in question.

The Two Types Of Cover Letters.

There are basically two types of cover letters. One is used in submission to an ad or known position opening, commonly known as the "standard" cover letter. This type of cover letter is easier to write for an obvious reason - some of the criteria of the position is being made known through advertisements or network contacts, thus aiding the writer in knowing what specific criteria and needs the reader wants addressed. This is also the type of cover letter used when someone is referring you to a company, "John Doe suggested I contact you regarding. . ." or "It is by John Doe's recommendation that. . ."

The second kind of cover letter is commonly called a "broadcast" cover letter. This type of cover letter is used when targeting companies of interest, but when no known position opening is being made public (or may not even, at the present time, exist). Although some companies frown on unsolicited résumé submissions, some position openings are often known long before the position is announced (someone has just turned in their resignation, a new position is being developed for an emerging need, someone is going to be retiring, someone is going to be or has just been fired). This is part of what is called the "hidden job market." Waiting for a position to be advertised simply assures that your résumé will be placed in competition with hundreds of other equally eager candidates.

Understanding your reader, the position you are targeting, and the company in question is important in all of your cover letter and résumé submissions, but it is particularly important in the broadcast cover letter. At least in the standard submission, when applying to an ad or known position opening, you have a sense of what the reader wants and that they are willing to receive your material. In the unsolicited submission, it is even more important to make your reader feel that what you have to say and what you have to offer is worthy of their time and attention. 

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Cover Letter Basics You Need To Know

The cover letter has one primary purpose: to generate interest in order to land an interview. With this in mind, writing an engaging cover letter is crucial.

These 9 cover letter writing tips will help ensure that your next cover letter attracts ample (positive) attention.

1. It's Expected.
In nearly all cases, a cover letter should accompany every resume that you send out. This is a basic part of business etiquette and failure to do so could make you appear clueless. As a general rule, unless specifically instructed to NOT send a cover letter, it is safe to assume that one is expected.

2. Using E-Mail.
It is perfectly acceptable to send your cover letter (and resume) electronically. When distributing these items via e-mail, make the cover letter the body of the message and add your resume as an attachment. The subject line should include your name and the position you desire. Send the message from a job search only email address that you check at least twice a day.

3. Be Unique.
A canned cover letter screams laziness. Do you really want this to be a prospective employer’s first impression of you? It is expected that you tailor each letter to the specific company. Tailoring can be as simple as describing what drew you to the company or mentioning how you enjoyed speaking with the company representatives at a job fair.

4. Avoid Careless Errors.
The people who make hiring decisions often have numerous applicants to consider in a minimal amount of time; they often must make quick decisions. A misspelled word or grammatical slip-up may be all it takes to end your chances of landing an interview. Take the time to proofread. Also, have your most meticulous friend or family member look over each cover letter.

5. Brevity Is A Virtue.
Ideally a cover letter should be around two-thirds of a page in length and composed of two to three paragraphs. Never send a cover letter over a page long. Sentences should be precise and crisp. Avoid flowery words and redundant phrases. Hiring managers are busy people. If your cover letter looks like it will take more than a minute to read, chances are it will be tossed on the reject pile.

6. Address It To A Person.
Whenever possible address your cover letter to a specific person at the company (preferably someone with hiring authority). If you cannot obtain a name, then consider addressing your letter to the department head of the area that you are interested in (e.g. Director of Marketing). Letters addressed to HR departments have a greater chance of getting lost in the paper shuffle.

7. Describe Your Qualifications.
Use the body of the letter to give a quick overview of your skills and proficiencies. Describe success you have had in the past using your talents. If possible, obtain a job description of the position you seek. Using this as a guide, focus on including your strengths that could benefit the employer and the job. Bullet points may be used in order to convey your points more concisely.

8. Remember The Details.
Cover letters, just like resumes, should be printed on quality paper. Generally this means a watermarked paper with 25% cotton content in white or ivory. Print each cover letter on a laser printer; copies even on good paper will not do. Sign each letter in pen (blue ink is preferable). There should be no smudges, stains or even correction fluid on your letter.

9. Don't Re-hash Your Resume.
Your cover letter should not replicate your resume. The cover letter is your chance to add information that does not generally fit into a standard resume, such as why you want to work for the company. Take advantage of this opportunity to distinguish yourself. 

  

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