Resignation Letter

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Time to Resign?  Time to Move On?  Sounds good…now be professional on your way out.  Here are some helpful tips with your Resignation Letter on your exit.

Resignation letters don’t need to be very long – in fact, short and to the point is often best. But, they do need to convey very specific information, and do so in a way that doesn’t burn bridges. For this reason, it’s often helpful to have a template in mind when writing your letter. Knowing the right format will help.

A Resignation Letter Must Include:

  • The fact that you’re resigning.
  • The date of your last day on the job. (Generally, it’s best to pick a day that’s at least two weeks from the date of your resignation.)
  • A general thank you to your soon-to-be former boss, for the opportunity to work at the company.

Optionally, Your Resignation Letter May Also Include:

  • A more specific thank you.  For example, you might mention a useful skill you learned during your time at the company, or a project you particularly enjoyed and If you’ll miss the people you worked with, it’s always nice to say so.
  • An offer to help with the transition, for example by training your replacement.

Resignation Letters Should Never Include:

  • Anything negative. Resignation letters serve one very specific purpose: to set an end-date for your employment with the company. They may also serve to strengthen your networking connection to your soon-to-be former boss by leaving a good final impression. But they are not ever a good way to achieve emotional closure with a job. Even if you’re leaving because you hate everything about the role, and hope to never speak to your boss again after your last day, it costs you nothing to be professional.
  • Too much detail. You can provide more information about your duties, clients, and projects, if and when your boss asks for it. Don’t clutter up this particular message with extraneous details.

A Few Notes About Quitting in General:

  • Whenever possible, give at least two weeks’ notice – but don’t feel obligated to give more than that (may vary depending upon your role). Also, prepare for the possibility that you’ll be asked to leave immediately. It’s not common, but some employers will ask workers to leave ASAP after they resign, so make your financial plans accordingly (especially if you’re in commission sales).
  • Find out about any employee benefits to which you might be entitled, before your last day. Ask about unused sick time or vacation time, and get information about your 401(k) and any stock options that might have accrued during your tenure.
  • If you can, ask for a letter of recommendation from your former boss and/or any coworkers who might have positive things to say about your work. Now is also a good time to ask for endorsements and recommendations on Linked-In and other social media, when you’re still fresh in your team’s mind.

Resignation Letter Format:

The following resignation letter format will show you what to write in your letter of resignation.

Your Contact Information
First Last Name
Street Address
City, State, ZIP Code
Phone Number
Email Address

Date

Employer Contact Information

Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State, ZIP Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,

First Paragraph

Your letter should say that you are resigning and state when your resignation is effective.

Middle Paragraph

The next (optional) section of your resignation letter should thank your employer for the opportunities you have had during your employment with the company.

Final Paragraph

Conclude your resignation letter (also optional) by offering to assist with the transition.

Respectfully yours,

Signature

Handwritten Signature (typed letter)

Typed Signature

 

Sample Resignation Letter

John Young
123 Main Park Drive
Somewhere, Massachusetts, 00100
555-123-4567
Me@xyz.com

March 1, 20XX

Mr. Jason Smith
Manager
ABC Corp
123 Main Street
Anywhere, Massachusetts, 02100

Dear Mr. Smith, I’m writing today to give my resignation and let you know that my last day with ABC Corp will be March 16, 20XX.

I’ve enjoyed my time here at the company immensely, and will miss working with the team. I’m so grateful to have had the chance to work with you all, and I know the skills I’ve learned over the past five years will serve me well in my new adventure.

Please let me know what I can to do to ease the transition.

I’m happy to help train my replacement, and can also provide a quick cheat sheet to the client list for anyone who’s taking over my duties on a temporary basis.

Thank you again for everything.

John Young

Resigning is never fun but one of those things that happen to the majority of us.  Remember: stay professional – you’ll appreciate it in the long run.  Best of luck to you!

Resume Writing Tips

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Looking for a new role? Resume a little rusty? Maybe it’s the first time. Here are a few pointers to help you get started. It can be difficult because your resume is going to be reviewed by hiring managers and likely even software. (Applicant Tracking Systems)  Review these tips for selecting a format, a font, customizing, using keywords, explaining employment gaps, and more tips for writing a winning resume.

Choose the Right Resume Format

There are several basic types of resumes used to apply for job openings. Depending on your personal circumstances, there are several to choose from.  The most popular are the chronological, functional, combination, and targeted resume.  Each type is useful for different purposes. Therefore, when deciding which type of resume to use, think about your personal situation.  Below is more information on each type of resume, and when to use each.

  • Chronological Resume

A chronological resume starts by listing your work history, with the most recent position listed first. Below your most recent job, you list your other jobs in reverse chronological order. Make sure you list the Company Name, Position Held, Dates, and a brief overview of your role.

Employers typically prefer this type of resume because it’s easy to see what jobs you have held and when you have worked at them. This is the most common resume type.

This type of resume works well for job seekers with a strong, solid work history. If you are just starting your career, or if you are changing career fields, you might consider a different resume type.

  • Functional Resume

A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history. Instead of having a “work history” section at the top of your resume, you might have a “professional experience” or “accomplishments” section that lists various skills that you have developed over the years.

A functional resume also sometimes includes a resume summary or headline at the top, which details a person’s skills and achievements.

A functional resume might not include one’s employment history at all, or might have a concise list of work history at the bottom of the resume.

Functional resumes are used most often by people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history.

It is also useful for people who are new to the workforce, have limited work experience, or who have a gap in their employment. By highlighting skills rather than work history, one can emphasize that he or she is qualified for the job.

  • Combination Resume

A combination resume is a mix between a chronological resume and a functional resume. At the top of the resume is a list of one’s skills and qualifications. Below this is one’s chronological work history. However, the work history is not the focus of the resume, and typically does not take up much space on the resume.

With this type of resume, you can highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for, and also provide your chronological work history. Most employers want to see your chronological work history, even if that history is not very extensive.

This kind of resume helps you highlight what makes you the best fit for the job, while still giving the employer all the information he or she wants.

  • Targeted Resume

A targeted resume is a resume that is customized to specifically highlight the experience and skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for. It takes more work to write a targeted resume than to just click to apply with your existing resume. However, it’s well worth the effort, especially when applying for jobs that are a perfect match for your qualifications and experience.

Try to write a targeted resume for every job. Employers can easily see when you submit a generic resume, rather than thinking about why you are qualified for that specific job.

  • Mini Resume

A mini resume contains a brief summary of your career highlights qualifications. It only contains the information that is most specific to the job you are applying for, or the industry you are interested in.

A mini resume can be used for networking purposes, or can be shared upon request from a prospective employer or reference writer who may want an overview of your accomplishments, rather than a full-length resume.

A mini resume would allow you to easily share at networking events.

  • Nontraditional Resume

A nontraditional resume is a unique version of your resume that may include photos, graphics, images, graphs and other visuals. It might be an online resume, or a physical resume with infographics. It could also be a video, or a resume on a social networking website.

Nontraditional resumes are ideal for people in creative fields, who want to demonstrate their ability to create visually engaging designs, or to create web pages. It can be great for a candidate to stand out from the crowd in professions like design, web design, journalism, and more.

  • Resume With Profile

A resume with a profile section includes a concise summary of an applicant’s skills, experiences and goals as they relate to a specific position.  This summary (typically no more than a couple sentences long) helps the candidate “sell” themselves to the company to which they are applying.

Adding a profile is helpful for almost any applicant. If you have extensive experience, a profile can concisely explain that experience to the hiring manager right away. If you have minimal work experience, a profile can help you highlight the skills that you do have.


Resume Font

When writing a resume it’s important to use a basic font that is easy to read, both for hiring managers and for applicant management systems.  Choose a Resume Font That’s Simple: font Size Should be 10-12 and should be Arial, Verdana, Calibri, or Times New Roman

Include All Your Contact Information

It’s important to include all your contact information on your resume so employers can easily get in touch with you. Include your full name, street address, city, state, and zip, home phone number, cell phone number, and email address.

Add a Profile or Objective

If you include an objective on your resume, it’s important to tailor it to match the job you are applying for. The more specific you are, the better chance you have of being considered for the job you are interested in, or consider using a resume profile or summary, with or without a headline, instead.

Resume Keywords

Your resume should include the same keywords that appear in position descriptions. That way, you will increase your chances of your resume being a match for available positions and a greater chance of you being selected for an interview. Also include keywords in your cover letter.

Prioritize Your Resume Content

It’s important to prioritize the content of your resume so that your most important and relevant experience is listed first, with key accomplishments listed at the top of each position.

Write a Custom Resume

It definitely takes more time to write a custom resume, but, it’s worth the effort, especially when applying for jobs that are a perfect match for your qualifications and experience.

In a competitive job-seeking environment, job seekers need to make sure that their resume stands out, is selected by talent management systems, and shows, in a professional, no-nonsense way, that the applicant has taken the time and interest to pursue a specific job opening.

There are many different ways to write a resume.  Make sure you pick the one that best fits your style and current job situation.  Good luck!

Preparing for Your Interview

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INTERVIEWING

TEN GREAT TIPS TO PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR INTERVIEW

1. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!

You’ve got the interview and you’re excited! Great! Now what? Who are you interviewing with? How many people will be involved? How big is the Company? What kind of revenue does the Company produce? How long have they been in business? What’s the position? How will you affect the Company? So many questions…..do you know the answers? Do your homework! Learn as much as you can. Go to their web site. Read….study….get ready. Research the interviewer. Go to Linked In. You’ll impress the interviewer when you mention that your brother went to the same college he did…..or that you once lived in the same town as she did…..or thank them for their service (as mentioned on their Linked In page). It demonstrates that you did your homework….and it’s impressive!

2. TYPICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Your interviewer has your resume. Expect to be questioned on the details. Why are you looking? Why did you leave XYZ Company? What kind of compensation did you make? And then there are the standard questions like “tell me about yourself”. You’ve got to be prepared for these questions with short and succinct answers. Rehearse your answers. Stay on track & don”t wander off on stories that aren’t relevant. It’s so easy to get side-tracked, but remember, the interview is usually scheduled for a certain amount of time. The more you get off track in answering a question, the less opportunity you have to get important details across about yourself and why you’re the best person for the position. Remember, RESEARCH, REVIEW, STUDY, BE PREPARED!

Ever heard of the acronym STAR? Learn it, practice it.

Situation
Task
Action
Result

A super way to answer a question!

3. DRESS FOR SUCCESS

You get One Chance at making a first impression. Period! Image is so important. Do you look professional? Here are some things to consider:

  • Clothing: Clean? Pressed? Fit?
  • Jewelry: Be careful about too much or too gaudy. Keep it Simple.
  • Company Culture: Learn in advance what the daily dress is at the company….and upgrade your attire one step.
  • Smoker: If you’re a smoker and the interviewer isn’t….might be a turn-off for the interviewer. Think about it. If you want the job, don’t smoke for a couple hours prior to your interview. Same goes with perfume or cologne….it can be too much. Just tone it down for your interview.
  • Consider this: Better to be Over-Dressed than Under-dressed!

4. ARRIVE ON TIME

The rule is, Be 15 minutes early. Not 20, the interviewer is busy and will feel rushed. Wait outside if you need to and walk in 15 minutes early.
Bring something to write with and to write on. Ask the interviewer if you can take notes….they will normally say yes, and appreciate the fact that you are. And bring your questions too! Bring a few extra copies of your resume and a reference list to go with your resume.
And oh yea, Shut your Cell Phone OFF! Not on vibrate, but OFF.

5. FIRST IMPRESSION

We touched on appearance….now let’s address people. Your interview really begins the moment you pull onto company property. Ever seen the video where an applicant is pulling into the lot and cuts off the interviewer to get a parking spot? Ugh!! Great first impression!

Greet everyone you see from the parking lot attendant, the receptionist, even someone you might meet in the restroom. Your posture is important; shake hands firmly, but not bone crunching! Smile at people you meet. Have a positive attitude, be enthusiastic.

6. CONFIDENT, CANDID, CONCISE

Remember STAR? Be truthful, be concise, be candid, but please be confident. Frequently people get hired because of chemistry over those who may be better qualified. Make sure you demonstrate how you can fit into the job & the company. And oh yea, Never Bad Mouth your past boss or past Company!

7. BODY LANGUAGE

Posture & Smiling has been mentioned. Eye contact is so important. Don’t fidget during your interview. Not with your phone, a pen, or anything else. Sit forward in your chair….shows confidence and interest. Don’t be too relaxed or act like you’re disinterested or that you’re a shoe-in for the job. Never answer your cell, as previously mentioned….it really shouldn’t even be visible.

8. ASK INSIGHTFUL QUESTIONS

First off, this is mandatory. So many people interview and never get another call because they don’t have any questions. Killer! Ask about the Company, the Position, How you can Impact the organization…..even if you know the answers!

9. SELL YOURSELF….CLOSE THE DEAL

Doesn’t matter what role you’re interviewing for….you’ve got to act like a salesperson for the interview. As previously mentioned, qualifications are important, but frequently the one who best sells themselves, gets the job. In sales, their is an acronym referred to simply as ABC….Always Be Closing! A good sales person does a couple things which apply to the interview….

First, Ask for the Sale. That is, Ask for the Job! State why you’re qualified, the impact you can make, tell the interviewer you’re excited, and ready to go.

Second, what’s next? When you leave the interview, you Must know what the next step in the process is.

10. THANK YOU

Make sure you send a thank you shortly after your interview. Email is quick and certainly considered appropriate. Want to stand out? Email a thanks….recap the meeting, state why you can come into the organization and make an impact, and tell the hiring authority you’re ready to go. And then…..send the interviewer a note in the mail. State the same things. Your thank you note will get to the interviewer a few days after your email. Perfect timing!

Good luck with your interview…..follow a few simple guidelines and you’ll do great!