If you feel a need out of loyalty or guilt to write anything more than a few short sentences, curb it. The only information your letter needs to contain are the following two (possibly three) items:

– that you are leaving your current company
– what your last date of employment will be, and
– if you feel comfortable adding a sentence or two about how you enjoyed working for your current company, and you appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of the organization, tack that on

It should NOT include:

– why you are leaving
– where you are going
– what you will be doing in your new position
– how much you will be making when you get there
– how bad you feel about leaving (or conversely, how glad you are to be going!)

Make an appointment with your boss and hand deliver the letter. Tell him verbally the same words that your letter says, because the face-to-face is courteous and professional, while the letter is a formality for record of your employment. And be prepared for one of three things to happen.

Either your boss will professionally acknowledge your resignation, say how sorry he is to have you go, and shake your hand, or he will become very silent - just before he asks you what it would take to keep you. Or quite possibly, he’ll do the former, and you’ll be asked to another meeting later so that he can find out what it will take to keep you.

If your company is truly professional, you’ll resign, shake hands, and that will be that. But it doesn’t always go down that way, which takes us into the second way to resign, which actually is in danger of not being a resignation at all. It only starts out that way.

The first thing you need to know is that a counter offer is NOT - IS NOT - a sincere and genuine statement of their desire to keep you around for as long as you might decide to stay should you change your mind and accept their counter offer.

What you’ve just done by resigning is put the company at a disadvantage. You are creating an opening within the company, and you’ve left your company at a loss. By resigning, you’ve basically said, “I’m not interested in this company any more.” You’ve caused your loyalty to be questioned. You are in control, and they are not.

If your boss invites you in for a concerned chat, you’re better off sounding like a broken record - repeating your “thank you” and “my last day is…” than you are involving yourself in what appears to be a caring conversation about your ensuing future.

It doesn’t matter what you want or what you ask for, because they’ll give it to you - in one form or another - or possibly offer you something tasty before you even speak up. After they’ve lulled and flattered you into submission, and as you walk out the door smiling, they’re calling the newspaper or a recruiter and ordering up a confidential replacement.

In 25 years of recruiting - my firm, and working with other firms - I have never, ever, ever seen an accepted counter offer work in favor of the individual.

Don’t, for a minute, think I am being overly dramatic. A counter offer is a complete and 100% appeal to your ego and an attempt to push your guilt button. It’s unprofessional of your company to attempt it, and it’s unprofessional (and ill conceived) of you to take it.

It might be a month, or six months, but eventually, your next departure from the company will be on their terms.

It sounds easy doesn’t it? Well remember with the ease of using the Internet to search for jobs you must keep in mind that to conduct an effective job search using only the Internet is almost an unrealistic expectation. You still will need to apply, submit your resume and attend the interview. All of which will require research on your part.

Research on a potential employer is still a critical part of any successful job search. Jobseekers should make it their priority to learn as much as possible about potential employers and the industry they represent. The five tips below will help you with your job search:

1. Remain Focused
Stay focused on your research goal and if you stumble across an interesting unrelated website, bookmark it and come back to it later. If not, before you know it you’ve lost track of what you wanted to accomplish, and have spent the last hour watching funny videos.

2. Develop a Research Strategy
Develop a plan before you begin looking for information by deciding in advance how much time you are willing to invest researching a particular topic. Your topic will influence where to look on the Internet, whether it’s searching newsgroups, blogs or company websites. Knowing roughly where your information might be found will assist you in developing your plan.

3. Keep Records
As you research potential employers you will collect a lot of information. By organizing the information you want to keep and discarding that which has little or no immediate value, you will be better prepared when it comes time to responding to emails from employers that you are interested in.

4. Set Realistic Goals
Goals will ensure you stay on track and should be specific, such as ‘spending 2 hours a day researching employers who are looking for chefs or cooks’ as opposed to the goal being ‘searching for a job on the Internet today’.

5. Visit the Restaurant
Sometimes, if you are lucky, the hiring manager may interview you the moment you drop off your resume or fill out an application. So be prepared and make sure you are properly dressed. In order to get some face time with a manager you will want to make sure you don’t show up during a rush. Try to visit the restaurant around 10am during the week to beat the lunch rush and before 3:30pm on weekdays to beat the dinner rush. On weekends many restaurants will have a breakfast or brunch rush so you will have to do some research if you plan on visiting the restaurant on the weekend. 

Finding a job online is the easy part. Making sure you are the right fit for what the company is looking for will take more effort on your part. Remember when performing your research to remain focused on the task at hand, develop a research plan that will help you to obtain a goal, keep good records of potential employers so you may refer back to them later and set realistic goals of how much research you can perform. If you become overwhelmed with the amount of information available, there are also plenty of head hunters and executive recruiters that will assist you in matching your skills with a company that is looking to fill a vacancy.

1. Reassess your career. Is your career path well aligned with your priorities and interest? Do you posses, or can you acquire, the experience and education to be successful? If not, consider a lateral move and work your way up from there.

2. Clearly define your career goals. Only when you know exactly where it is you want to go, will you be able to map out your plan to get there.

3. Create a development plan. Determine the steps you need to take for your next promotion. Include resources and due dates. Schedule these activities in your planner and follow through.

4. Communicate your career goals with management. If you work in an organization that promotes employee development, communicate your goals with your manager and ask for his or her support. If you are concerned about resistance, find a mentor within the organization that you can trust.

5. Volunteer to spearhead a new project. This shows initiative, puts you in a visible position, and builds new skills. It also gives you the opportunity to showcase your leadership skills.

6. Stay current in your field. Read industry publications and reports. Be aware of changing trends and position yourself accordingly.

7. Take classes or obtain a certification. Use your industry knowledge to your advantage. Take a course in an up and coming area or a specialty that will benefit your organization and give you an edge over the competition.

8. Assume a leadership role. Offer to mentor a junior associate in your organization, apply for a position on a local board, or chair a committee for a nonprofit organization.

9. Network, Network, Network. Within your organization and within the community. Increasing your visibility and gaining contacts are vital to your success when climbing the corporate ladder. No one ever got to the top alone.

10. Excel in your current position. Exceptional performance speaks for itself. You won’t get ahead with mediocre performance, regardless of how many other steps you implement.

Recruitment Agencies

Office Jobs

Simply Office Jobs

London Careers

Most of us will spend our lives hoping for the ideal job, but this will rarely materialize. The fact is, almost all jobs have their pitfalls- we may scoff at actors of musicians who complain about their long workdays or schedules, pointing to their pay checks, but the fact is that many jobs that offer lucrative incomes also entail a lot of dedication and hard work in order to get to the top. When you are defining your dream job, remember that almost every job comes with its downside, even if that downside is only the repetitiveness of the day.

A career change does not necessarily have to entail extensive retraining. Many people who have lost their jobs through layoffs or downsizing will find that their skills are still in demand, and that their experience is very useful in finding a new career. If you do not feel like retraining, consider a job with a different company where your skills fit. If you want to get right out of the corporate area, the odds are good that you can find a niche for yourself as an independent consultant or another area in which your expertise will add to your marketability.

Some people decide that they in fact do desire a total 360 degree turn from their current career path. In such circumstances, it is again best to begin by shopping the skills obtained at your former job only applied to new markets. You may also want to consider some retraining through college or university courses. There are many training courses available online, so people often do not even have to leave their homes in order to obtain the skills necessary to their new careers.

Whatever your decision, remember that it is always easier to find a new job when you are not desperate for one. Take the time to think through your decisions and applications carefully before severing ties with your current job; you may be ready for a change, but you will still have to eat in the meantime! In the event that your company has been downsized or other circumstance that has led to being laid off, find out if there are any contingency plans in place for retraining through the company or through any of the levels of government. This can provide a good financial buffer for that in-between time.

Office politics plays a very important role in whether you get a promotion, an award, or the office job in London that you want, or the compensation that you receive. Virtually every aspect of your professional career is influenced by social politics. The proper understanding of the social “food chain” in your work space is essential for your professional success and financial well-being.

To understand why the organization works and how to use that information to your advantage, you must first understand how the “Big Fish” act and think. Who are the “Big Fish”? They are the decision makers, the people who are up-and-coming in the company and the people who hold ultimate power in the company. These are the CEO’s, Presidents, VPs, managers, and supervisors who are what I consider to be “in favor”.

When it comes to these “Big Fish” they typically care only about two things. The first is how they can take credit for increasing the effectiveness of the company and the second is who around them can get the results they need to be successful. To summarize, for these people it is all about self-preservation and self-promotion.

Are the “Big Fish” unethical or self-absorbed? No, the successful people just want excellent employees working for them and they expect results. If you were in a dog-sled race would you want a team of Siberian Huskies or Chihuahuas? The answer is obvious; you would want to win the race so you would want the best team available.

Can this information be helpful to you? Let me ask you:

1. Do you think you stand a better chance of getting a promotion working for a “little fish” or a “Big Fish”?

2. Is your chance of getting a good raise better or worse if the VP knows your name and the projects you have worked on?

3. Are you more or less likely to move up in the company if you are working on a “Big Fish’s” pet project?

The bottom line is this…If you align yourself with a “Big Fish” you will be considered for more opportunities than you would ever have working for a “little fish”. Why? The reason is because people trust people who can get the job done. If the “Big Fish” trusts you then he/she will be comfortable giving you more and more responsibility. And with more responsibility comes promotions and A LOT more money.

Study your office politics and align yourself with a “Big Fish” and will progress your career farther and faster than you ever could have imagined.

Networking within the company you work for may not seem like the ideal way to spend your time, however, it will ensure that your face fits. Never be afraid to put your best foot forwards and sing your own praises if necessary. When you do something noteworthy let your managers and, if necessary, their managers know. If you come up with an idea that will potentially make or save money then tell the right people about it.

Your career is important and only by taking control of it’s progression can you be sure it will go the way you want it to. Setting goals is a major part of this aim. With short, medium and long-term goals you will be able to micro manage every aspect of your career. Your short-term goals should be geared towards achieving your medium-term goals, which in turn should help you achieve your goals.

Write down your goals and keep track of how you are doing. Always make sure that they are achievable but rewarding. If your goals are too easy and you can reach them with little or no effort, then there is no real point. Alternatively, if your goals are too difficult you will quickly become disheartened and give up. Life can throw the occasional obstacle or unexpected gift your way and so it will be necessary from time to time to re-evaluate your position. Try to only change your short-term goals if you are worse than expected and your medium term goals if better than you had hoped.

Many programs consist of career assessment, and job search capabilities, that include career development and life skills. When looking for a career development program, make sure they also provide such services as counseling and job referral and placement help. Having the right skills is vitally important in today’s competitive job market. You are also looking for the best of learning up-to-date career skills that will prepare you for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The career development program you choose should always be updating their programs to reflect the most modern methods used in today’s workplace. You’ll also learn about opportunities in your chosen field and get important tips on achieving your career goals. Many programs also feature “hands-on” experience with today’s technology.

Here are some important things you should look for when choosing your career development program. Make sure the program you choose has everything you want and need to get you on that new path of a new career.

Low Tuition - You can train for a new career at a price that won’t break your budget. Your books, equipment, and learning aids are included in your low tuition price.

Convenience - The lessons and learning aids you need to complete your training are sent right to your home. There’s no commute to classes, no need to rearrange your schedule. Study where and when you choose, and still have time for your family and social life.

Support - Even though your taking your career development program at home, you’ should never feel alone. You should be assured of getting all the help you need from your instructors and consultants. When you have a question, help should be just a toll-free phone call or an e-mail away.

You can train for a new career in your spare time and even earn a Bachelors or Masters Degree online. Whether you wish to further your career in nursing or business management there is a career development program for you. You can earn your high school diploma or anything you can imagine that would further your self improvement. Here are some idea’s that may help you choose whether it will be worth it for you or not. Good luck in your endeavors. Good Luck!

• Career Diploma Courses. Prepare for the career you have always dreamed of like a Medical Transcription, Paralegal, Private Investigation, Veterinary Assisting, Accounting, Interior Decorating, and much more.

• Associate’s Degrees. Psychology, Criminal Justice, Business Management, Accounting, Health Care Management. High School diploma or GED required.

• High School Diploma. Start where you left off in the 9 th , 10 th , 11 th , or 12 th grades. SACS and DETC accredited.

Market Analysis

Most job seekers have no clear concept of their target market, the conditions of the market, and the types of employers whom would hire them. They need to conduct a market analysis similar to what most business owners have developed as part of a business plan. The business owner must conduct some sort of market analysis to determine to whom they are going to be selling their products or services, to create a profile of their target customer, to describe their competition, and to find out the conditions of the current market. Job seekers should go through the same process.

Job seekers should educate themselves on the conditions of the employment and economic markets in their targeted geographic area. They must research companies in either the industry or area to create a profile that includes financial conditions, past activities, names of executives, products, services, financial forecasts, etc. for each company. By doing this, job seekers get a good picture of their target “buyer” – who they are, what they do, how much money they can spend, and if they are planning on being around for awhile.

Scoping out the competition is also important for job seekers. The market is flush with very qualified, highly experienced professionals who are offering “buyers” (employers) skills and knowledge that are all very similar. Job seekers need to find out what kind of competition they face – what they are offering employers, what salaries they are seeking, what benefits they are seeking, and what type of skills/experience combinations they are offering. One method is to contact target companies and ask what skills/experience the employees they’ve hired in the past six months possess. Job seekers can also talk with executive recruiters to find out what they see in the market conditions and what they expect for the next six months.

Pricing is important in a market analysis. Salary levels can be researched through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Salary.com, and from scanning most recent job advertisements. In a buyers’ market, prices go down; therefore, salaries are going down. Salaries have fallen from a high in 2000 to levels last seen in 1998 and are continuing to slide. Many job seekers price themselves out of the market because they do not know what their skills are currently worth. Job seekers who find out what salaries they can expect and market their skills with that salary in mind will receive better job search results.

Target Market

Location, buying power, motivation, industry – all are aspects of a target market. If Santa’s chief elf gets downsized because suddenly Santa decides it’s cheaper to outsource to Thailand, Mr. Elf has very few alternatives at the North Pole for work. Toy makers are overseas or in the US, not the North Pole. He can search for a job all he wishes at the North Pole but if the work isn’t there, he will not have success. Location is a key factor in a job search.

Buying power is expressed through stock prices, growth forecasts, quarterly reports, annual reports, and spending. A company in stable growth mode has buying power – it can meet payroll and will be less likely to lay off. Determining the buying power/financial status of the target market (employers) is vital to a successful job search. Many people have not done this research, accepted a position, and found themselves laid off again in a month and a half or so.

Career Branding

Career branding is a hot term in the employment industry these days. Technically, career branding is simply building a great reputation in your career on purpose and then leveraging that reputation to further build your career. In traditional business, branding is a promise of an experience. If you see an advertisement for Coca-Cola, you automatically think of a cool, refreshing beverage. Coke has worked diligently over the years to establish their brand. To some degree, job seekers can do the same thing with their careers by documenting their achievements, working hard on their skills, and building a good reputation within their industries.

Direct Marketing

Direct marketing in a job search is getting your message directly to the buyer. In this case, that means getting your resume directly to the decision-maker. Most job seekers have difficulty with this task. How do you identify the decision-maker? Many job seekers are turning to resume blasting services that employ databases full of hiring managers, recruiters, and other people in hiring positions. Just as traditional business people purchase mailing lists, job seekers can purchase resume blasts that send their resumes to members of similar databases. Typical results for direct marketing is around 1-2% response rate. Resume blasts tend to have similar results but they are relatively inexpensive and may be worth the effort.

Research companies can be hired to target specific industries, companies, or other sectors based on specified parameters. These companies can gather very specific information, often mining down to the direct decision-maker, but their fees are higher than resume blasting services. For the serious job seeker who does not have the time or the abilities to do serious data mining for contact information, this can be an investment in career search that pays off.

Print Advertising

Career print advertising is the resume and accompanying documents such as cover letters, project details, portfolios, and biographies. Most job seekers feel a self-written resume and supporting documents are fine but it is interesting to note that big companies rarely do their own print advertising in-house. They concentrate on doing what they do best – providing goods and services – and outsource advertising to experts in the field. In recent years, more and more professionals, especially those who are intent on career success, seek the services of professional resume writers and career coaches to assist them in effectively marketing their careers.

Word of Mouth Advertising

Simply put, word of mouth advertising is networking. Someone talking to another about the benefits of “buying” a “product”. As any business owner can tell you, word of mouth advertising is the least expensive, most effective, and longest-lasting of all forms of advertising. Unfortunately, most job seekers use this method least because it seems so difficult. A good career coach can be invaluable in teaching job seekers networking and helping them overcome their fears of talking to others concerning their careers.

Turning the interview on its head is what some people call it. I get a lot of fear when discussing this subject, as most people discuss being uncertain of how they will be perceived when asking serious and in-depth questions surrounding the role. Logically, I think when people really look at it, there fears are crazy. Why would anyone go into an interview, discuss their capabilities and really leave there not knowing exactly what the role is.

Now I say this with caution, as the approach and how one is to do this becomes ever more important. In speaking to some managers, they cannot stand when they feel the candidate is attempting to take over the conversation and really run the entire process. That is not at all what I saying here and really do not want that to be the point of the message. The real idea here is to leave with a conscious understanding of the role, with explicit information, without the manager feeling like he got grilled. And I think there is an easy way to do this.

One of the reasons most people get caught in not know enough information is the format of the interview. The candidate answers questions, waiting for the 10 second time frame at the end where the manager says “do you have any questions” leaving the candidate not knowing which of the 50 that are going through their mind should be asked first. The key is to re-format the interview without upsetting the flow. Create the flow by making the interview conversational and asking questions, or follow ups to certain subjects the interview wishes to discuss - as the interview is progressing. Doing this will allow you to get details answered without ending the interview with the 2 minute jam as much down the manager’s mouth as I can session.

Interview flow - keep the interview progressing as any conversation. Asking and answering questions without taking over the conversation. Ensure to stay on subject, allowing client to get the information they need as well. They are interviewing you for a role. Do that and you will find it easier to leave the meeting knowing more, the manager knowing you, and the two of you knowing whether or not to continue the process.

 http://www.ugtechnologies.com, a leading recruiting and consulting firm serving the IT and engineering vertical based out of Charlotte NC. http://www.lambentpath.com,

Job Interview Tip #1: Update your Resume

Submitting an outdated resume will almost always eliminate you as a possible candidate. Below is a list of the top things to look out for when updating your resume.

1. Work Experience: If your last job was listed in 2005, most employers would assume you have been out of work for the past three years.
2. References: If an employer attempts to call an individual on your reference list and that individual’s number is not accurate, or that individual is unaware they are listed as a reference, you will leave a poor impression with employers.
3. Education: It is okay if you are in school, just specify when you expect to graduate. Further, if you have taken a break from school, clearly state that as well.

Job Interview Tip #2: Research the Company

You want to know more about the company than any other candidate, which requires a little extra effort on your part. Visit the company website and search engines to find:

a. Recent and past business dealings
b. Products and services
c. Company successes and failures
d. Changes in management and/or ownership
e. Their mission and vision
f. Their short term and long term goals
g. Who their customers are
h. Who their major competitors are

Job Interview Tip #3: Prepare for Job Interview Questions

The more you practice the more comfortable you will feel. Not only should you look into popular interview questions, but you should practice them in front of a mirror as well. Pay close attention to facial expressions and body language as they speak much louder than words.

Job Interview Tip #4: Dress Properly

Make sure you dress for success. Within the first ten seconds of meeting an employer, you will have already made an impression with an employer. How do you want them to view you? I suggest a nice pair of pants, a dress shirt and a tie, and if appropriate, a suit jacket.

Job Interview Tip #5: Arrive Early

Be sure to arrive 10-15 minutes early. Not only does it make a good impression but it gives you the ability to analyze the office. Pay close attention to:

a. Organization: Does the office, or waiting room, seem clean and organized or messy and stressful?
b. Employee Expressions: Do the employees seem happy, stressed, angry, upset?
c. Promptness: How long does it take before you are noticed?
d. Friendliness: How does the individual who notices you greet you? Do they offer you a place to site? Something to drink? When an employee walks by do they acknowledge you?
e. Professionalism: When you are greeted, does the greeter shake your hand? Approach you or yell for you to have a seat? Is the greeter chewing gum?
f. Effort: How is the office, or waiting room, organized and decorated?

Job Interview Tip #6: Bring a Notepad

During an interview, information is equally exchanged. The employer will have questions for you and you will have questions for the employer. Because you don’t want to interrupt the employer, having a notepad will enable you to write down important information and questions you may have. http://www.inovahire.com