Quitting your job in style

As Pope Benedict steps down from his duties as head of the Catholic Church, everyone caught themselves wondering – how does a Pope give a two-week notice, and to whom does he give it to?

It’s not often we see the leader of a city-state stepping down from their position prematurely, much less a Pope. Every day, thousands of employees around the world leave their positions for a myriad of reasons – ranging from dissatisfaction or lack of appreciation to higher pay elsewhere, giving a two-week notice or quitting point-blank.

Leaving your position before the ’90s was not as common as it is today. Employees were deemed loyal if they stuck with the company from the day one until retirement.

Nowadays, it’s very common to start looking for other job opportunities after staying with a company for just three to five years.

As we leave our jobs, a question comes to mind: What’s the best, and most appropriate way to leave? You have the standard two-week notice, a going-away present for your boss, or perhaps even a thank you card to the entire department, but what else does it take?

When leaving your position of employment, leaving with grace is more important than ever. In a world where stories and reviews of bad work ethic can go viral, maintaining your reputation is integral in a networking world that continues to get smaller, and smaller. Word can ruin quicker than fire at industry mixers or parties, and you don’t want to be classified as unprofessional, and certainly not immature.

Give a three weeks notice

On average, it takes five weeks to hire a new candidate, and it’s easier on your manager and your department to have a longer time to hire your replacement in advance. Stand out, show kindness and understanding, and give a three-week note before heading out.

Offer to train your replacement

At my company, Smashing Resumes, one of the hardest parts of the hiring process is the training. It could take anywhere from two to four weeks to get a new hire properly adjusted and up to speed, siphoning away valuable resources and time to accommodate.

You know your position best, and possibly even better than management. Make the transition a bit simpler, and offer to do the training while you’re still there or, create a quick handbook or tutorial video for the new hire.

Solidify Ties

During your last couple of weeks, mend fences with all you’ve crossed and reinforce relationships with those you’ve trusted. Add everyone on LinkedIn, give your colleagues extra attention, and shake everyone’s hand before you leave.

In a world as small as ours, it pays to have a strong network of people who have seen you perform, and perform well. When you’re searching for a job, pitching a business idea, or looking for industry contacts, you’ll be grateful for a large network of industry contacts.

Always Be Connecting

Surviving in the concrete jungle is much, much easier when you have friends to survive with.

At the end of the day, it comes down to good karma. Treat others with respect, show class even when the situation dictates otherwise, and keep calm with even those who are at odds with you.

We may not all be the Pope, but a time will come when something better comes along. Leaving a job may be the start of a new chapter, but leaving it kindly is just the right thing to do.

Six Job Search Strategies For The New Year That Actually Work

The first month of every year is when we make resolutions and renew our commitments to do better and prosper more. As we look over our progress in finding the best job possible for ourselves and our families, let’s review a few key points to put our shiniest foot forward!

 1. The night is darkest before the dawn.

You can’t be paralyzed by the fear of failure. –Arnold Schwarzenegger

Never give up in your search for a career. Throughout history, many of the pinnacles of today’s society faced hardship and criticism from those around them – Michael Jordan didn’t make his high school basketball team, Thomas Edison was told he’d never be successful.

Happiness and success will never be handed to you – it’s a process of trial and error, a pursuit of your passion. The job search is long and tumultuous, but the sweetness of the reward will come. Given your experience, you’re a great candidate, and there are plenty of people needing your expertise. Keep your goals clear, and your search consistent. The job is out there – you just have to look harder to find it.

2. Be social. Get your name, credentials, career interests out.

Tell people you’re looking for a job. The second you make your passion public – that’s when others start paying attention. Post a status on Facebook, update your LinkedIn. Get introduced to some people and remind others of your job search, as well. A majority of jobs these days are found through networking, not actual applications so, use your resources (and friends) well.

3. Get recommended on LinkedIn. Reintroduce yourself and checkup on people.

Remind others what you’re looking to find.

Pick a few people (co-workers, employers, etc.) from each position you’ve worked at, and get them to recommend you for specific skills. These recommendations are vital and prove credibility to the experience around your position.

Remind others what you’re looking to find, and integrate as many skills as you possibly can. If you’re looking for a job in the accounting industry, don’t place “Business” as a skill – throw in “Auditing,” “Financial Analysis,” words that accurately depict what you’re able to do.

4. Get a fresh pair of eyes to look at your resume. Keep a master resume, and add or remove points to cater to the position you want.

Sometimes it takes friends and family to point out the glaring mistakes that we’ve looked over many, many times – just like that weird cat smell in your house. It takes someone pinching his or her nose and bringing over some Air Wick to really get to you.
We’re used to our resumes, and we expect it to get results – but in these days, resumes need to be changed up on a monthly basis. If the barbecue isn’t cooking the steaks, you adjust the flame. Changing up your resume shouldn’t be something too drastic, but little tweaks here and there to open doors to more results.

Keep a master resume handy at all times, and format a new resume for specific positions based on that. Resumes shouldn’t run more than two pages at most – stay consistent, detailed, and concise with your experience and expertise. HR Directors spend very little time on each resume, and look for certain words applicable to the position throughout.

5. Get a good cover letter.

Cover letters are the introduction to your resume, the preface to your novel (just don’t make your resume a novel). Cover letters describe your intent to the recruiter, as well as detail and highlight specific accomplishments and expertise that you have. Write out a good letter – not cocky, but factual and detailed – and get a few people to read through it a couple of times.

6. Clean up your Facebook/Twitter page – check your privacy settings.

Every Human Resources Director who understands the Internet will Google you. Accept it, and expect it. Know that every result that search engines provide will give insight to a recruiter about what you do, what you’re involved in, and what you’re passionate about – or not.

Check your Facebook and Twitter privacy settings – what the world doesn’t need to see should be hidden. Limit posting your opinions, beliefs, things irrelevant to your professional life on public forums – everything is accessible these days.

About Smashing Resumes
Smashing Resumes is a specialized resume writing and career services company offering resume reviewing and writing, job search coaching, and social media services to candidates of all levels and professions looking to solidify their pitch, and land their dream job. To learn more, visit us at http://www.smashingresumes.com.