New Years resolutions for career success in 2018

New Years resolutions for career success in 2018A new year is often looked at as an opportunity for making positive changes, and were all familiar with the tradition of making New Years resolutionsas we end each year and look forward to the next, we take stock of the things we want to improve upon or change in ur lives. Those among us who are diligent enough to take things one step further set a plan for achieving our resolutions, and some among us actually follow through by putting in the time and effort to achieve our stated goals. And for the most dedicated and focused among us, sometimes a positive change and lasting result is achieved. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Our New Years resolutions can vary across an endless array of categoriesfrom finding love, making new friends, and moving to a new city to acquiring a new hobby or skill set. Among the most popular resolutions that people make involve job- and career-related goals. Howe ver, while making a New Years resolution for career change and success can be the beginning of a wonderful new chapter in our lives, its really just the first step.Positive intent can be a powerful motivating force for change and growth in our lives, but the truth is that its often not enoughthis is the reason why the majority of us fail to completely commit and follow through on the resolutions we make each year. The truth is, most resolutions flounder in the starting gate without any real forward progress ever being made, and many others are met with a feeble, half-hearted effort that eventually goes nowhere.) We need mora than a positive attitude and hopewe need a plan.According to a recent article on The Muse, Those who took meaningful steps to achieve their resolutionssetting step-by-step goals or telling their friends and family, for examplewere far mora likely to achieve their desires than those who made no specific commitments So if you really want to see results this year, its critical that you set your goals with sincerity, and set yourself up for success.What are your New Years resolutions for career success in 2018? More importantly, do you have a plan for achieving them? Lets take a closer look at some of the most popular career-related resolutions, and some advice for taking them past the good idea stage and closer to the goal achieved category.I want a promotion.Who among us doesnt want a loftier position with a mora impressive sounding title and a higher salary, regardless of where we currently work? The truth is, this isnt always an immediately attainable reality for everyonemaybe youre just getting started at your current job and its too soon to start thinking about a promotion, or maybe the place you work at is small and theres no clear upward trajectory. Whatever the reason, if youre seeking a promotion and theres no obvious path for growth for you in your current job, perhaps this means you should make a more drastic change as part of your New Years resolution planning.However, if there are opportunities for growth on the horizon for you, then take a step back and a deep breath and think carefully before blindly charging into your anfhrers office and demanding a promotion.Take stock of your current situationhave you spent the last year working hard to convince your boss that you are ready, willing, and able to take the next step to a new job with greater responsibility? Has your boss been giving you positive feedback all year about how valuable you are to the company and how everyone is impressed with the job youve been doing? If so, then youve already been working hard to achieve your goal of getting a promotionthe next step is choosing the right time, place, and method for asking for one. This is highly subjective and based on your individual job situation. Do you have annual review meetings with your boss to discuss such issues? If so, then this would be the ideal time to broach this subject. Or perhaps your boss is open to feedback and discussions whenever they arise. If so, choose a day when your boss seems to be in a good mood and go for itMaybe you havent been getting great signals that your boss would be terribly receptive to the idea of you asking for a promotion. If this sounds more like your reality, then it may be wise to concoct a more long-term plan. Spend the next several monthsmaybe even the entire next yearanticipating your bosss needs, doing your job to the absolute best of your ability, and sowing the seeds for popping the big promotion question next year. Like we said earlier, sometimes you need a plan, and theres nothing quite as defeating or draining as asking for a promotion before youre ready and meeting rejection.I want a new job.Okay so maybe youve reached as high and as far as you can possibly go in your current job, faced every challenge, conquered every obstacle, and mastered every skill that you could possible acquire. Its timeyoure ready for a change. It happens, and its a perfectly natural and healthy part of any career path. In fact, job changes are often great opportunities to climb to the next rung on your career ladder. However you shouldconsider some advance planning before you race out of your current job screaming, I quitGet a feel for the current job market in your field and area. Are there a wealth of opportunities available, or is it slim pickings? Take a subtle poll of the folks in your peer network who work at other companies. Does it sound like you may be able to go after an opportunity through your contacts?If conditions out in the job market seem great, then plan for your next stepspolish up your resume and cover letter, make sure your interview clothes still fit, and get out there However, if youre seeing some warning signs that right now might not be the best time to jump ship, then bide your time and plan accordingly. Dont forget, you can do some subtle and covert planning for your next job while youre at your current one so when the iron is hot youll be prepared to strikeI want to make a major job or career change.Perhaps youre just not feeling completely happy or fulfilled in your current industry, and something is telling you that perhaps now is the time to make a major change. This could be a good thingthe truth is, job unhappiness is often a major cause of mental and physical distress and could have a wide sortiment of negative effects on our health and well-being.According to a recent Huffington Post blog post by Alexander Kjerulf, founder and Chief Happiness Officer of Woohoo inc, Way too many people hate their jobs. Exactly how many is hard to say, but depending on which study you believe, somewhere between 20 percent and 40 percent of employees are miserable at work. Kjerulf goes on to say that hating your job can weaken your immune system, make you gain weight, rob you of sleep, ruin your personal relationships, and even increase your risk of serious illness. Not a good way to ring in the N ew YearSo, if youre eager to make a major job or career change you guessed it, make a plan. Consider making a list of pros and cons for taking the plunge. If everything in your life is pointing to making a major change, figure out what new goal makes the most sense for you. Take an inventory of your skills and experience, along with your interests and aspirations, and figure out which careers/industries you best align with. Do you have any friends or family who have jobs that sound potentially intriguing to you? If so, ask them more about it. Do your researchthe world wide web is a great source of information for researching new companies and careers.Although making a big career change can be a wonderful moment in your life, acting impulsively could really backfire. There are countless stories of people who made quick decisions to leave their current working worlds for new ones, only to discover that they were ill-informed and really had no idea what they were getting into and wound up being just as unhappyor even unhappieras they were before. Dont become just another unfortunate member of this group. Plan wisely and carefully, and youll be setting yourself up for a real shot at positive and lasting change.I want to build new job skills.This is a great goal for most of us and can really help put you in a better position to achieve the other resolutions on this list in the futuregetting a promotion or a new job, or even changing industries. And even if none of these goals are in your immediate future, acquiring new skills can be a rewarding and fulfilling enterprise on its own and help us feel more empowered and effective in our current positions.If youre looking to acquire new job skills in the new year, consider the following. Do you want to acquire skills that will make you more effective at your current job or a new one? Your answer to this question will help you determine which skills you should look at. Also, are you looking to invest money towards acquir ing new skills? If so, there are a wealth of career and adult education/skill-development programs available across the country a great place to start is researching the offerings at colleges and universities in your area. Youll likely come across a wealth of options, both in class and onlineyou just need to decide which are right for you.If money is an issue and youre looking for a more cost-effective approach, there are some great free and low-cost options online. One great resource is Skillshare, an online learning community created, maintained, and curated by veterans and experts in their respective fields who are dedicated to teaching others the skills theyve acquired.Heres the bottom linemany folks who are unhappy with their work lives or who are just eager for a fresh start or new challenge take the new year as an opportunity to make a change, and its a great time to do so Because so many people are focused on career changes at the beginning of a new year, many companies and industries ramp up their hiring during this timeand those among us who are serious and dedicated can take full advantage of this reality. If this sounds like you, perhaps now is a great time to move forwardbut do so wisely and plan accordingly. Good luck and Happy New Year

Resignation Letter Samples For When You Just Cant Take It Anymore

Resignation Letter Samples For When You Just Cant Take It Anymore When youve decided to leave your employer, no matter what your motivation for doing sowhetherbei to take a new position, return to school, deal with a family situation or illness, relocate, or get out of toxic work environmentgiving bedrngnisice to your company can be your toughest task. Resignation is stressful, and crafting a resignation letter can be an afterthought.But there are plenty of reasons, however, you should look at submitting a formal resignation letter as an opportunity to leave your position on a positive leide, even if youre quitting because youve had enough. Jeremy Payne, head of people operations at Remote Year, said, a few short moments of planning and focus can turn your resignation letter into a tool to help both you and your employer have a successful transition.Why You Should Submit a Resignation LetterSome employers may require a letter of resignation to initiate the process of leaving the comp any. Even if your employer doesnt, submitting your resignation letter has many benefits it will prevent confusion about the terms about your leaving, such as your brde day, and will give you a chance to thank the companyor air grievances, depending on your relationship with your employer and reasons for leaving. You may not have to give notice at all, but its considered good etiquette to do so.In fruchtwein instances, you should write a physical letter rather than giving notice by email. Your letter should serve as a followup to giving notice in person to your direct manager. This is the most polite way of resigning since your boss will be able to hear the news firsthand from you rather than through the grapevine. Follow this resignation procedure unless your employer requires that you follow a different one.Components of a Letter of ResignationReasons and benefits aside, here are the essential components of a formal resignation letter that helps you turn your decision to resign int o a move that builds both your brand and your career1. Start with the facts and be direct.Your letter of resignation should be addressed to your immediate boss. The first paragraph should explain that you are leaving and should clearly state your last day of work. A two- week notice period is standard, but not required. You can give however many weeks worth of notice that you feel is appropriate. Just make sure that the end date of your current job is clear to your current employer.2. Focus on the positive.The next paragraph (the body of the letter) is the key to leaving behind a good impression. If you had a good experience, its time to share what you appreciated about the opportunity and highlight the experiences that were meaningful to you. It could be what you learned from your company or benefits you experienced from leading exciting projects, said Dr. Kathryn Bingham, executive coach and CEO ofLEADistics.A memorable and professional resignation letter can have more meaning to the reader than you may recognize. Early in her career, Valerie Streif, senior advisor at The Mentat, had a great job experience. Streif recalled writing a letter that touched on all the things she learned and how it would serve her throughout her career. It was appreciated by my boss, and she ended up writing me a great recommendation letter to use for future employment.If you are leaving with some small (or large) grievances, you can skip the gratitude and keep your formal resignation letter succinct. (You HR department doesnt need every reason youve decided you leave.) You can outline your current outstanding projects to help guide the transition out of the company. Its the easiest solution. Not mentioning your issues or reason for leaving helps you maintain positive connections and a productive network. In this case, Payne suggests using your exit interview as an opportunity to share additional information, especially if the events surrounding your departure may continue to have a negative impact on individuals and the companys culture.If you are leaving a truly toxic environment, you have a unique opportunity to use your job resignation letter to call out ethical lapses, harassment or other behaviors at your company. There is no doubt this takes courage and care. Bingham suggests to provide specific, factual descriptions and include the impacts of toxic behaviors, as well as any efforts you made to report on or change the environment. Be mindful that written communication could become evidence in legal proceedings. Ask a trusted individual to read the letter and offer feedback prior to submission or making public.3. Say thank you.Your final paragraph is usually simple. Thank the company for the opportunity and include your contact information, if not already provided. Regardless of the circumstances or reasons you are leaving, graciousness goes a long way. A good resignation letter, whether youre an assistant or a vice president, is an opportunity to remi nd your current employer what a strong employee you were.Resignation Letter SamplesBelow are three sample resignation letter templates, written for different scenarios. You should have a good idea of which resignation letter sample fits your situation best and add those unique elements that only you can share.Sample 1This resignation letter example is written from the perspective of someone who has had a positive experience, wants to maintain a positive relationship and is thankful for the opportunityDateImmediate Supervisor,Please accept this letter as notice of my formal resignation from my position at xyz company. My last day of employment will be date.I want to thank you for providing me with this opportunity three years ago. You saw my befhigung and provided the chance to learn from you and the team in ways that I could not envision and in ways that were unclear to me at the time. Weve tackled many successful projects together, but my favorite was project x. Thats the project t hat showcased to me how much your mentorship expanded my descriptive expertise, and we had a lot of fun along the way. The time you spent teaching and challenging me has left a lasting impact on my career and development, and Im grateful to have worked for you.I wish you and everyone at company the best and look forward to staying in touch and helping in any way that I can during and after this smooth transition. Im reachable at email or phone.Sincerely,NameSample 2This job resignation letter example is written from the perspective of someone who has not had a great experience but is choosing to keep any feedback privateNameAddress, including zip codePhone number or emailDateImmediate Supervisor,I am resigning from my position as title for xyz company on date.I am happy to work with you and the team throughout the next two-week transition. To help ensure a seamless handoff of responsibilities, Ive listed the projects that I still expect to be outstanding on my last day, includingPr oject OneProject TwoProject ThreeThank you very much for the professional and personal development opportunities that you have provided me during the last few years.Sincerely,NameSample 3This resignation letter example is written from the perspective of someone who has had a negative experience and wants to speak up. This option challenges the conventional wisdom of many career experts. However, nothing changes without some workplace courage. If you are okay with the potential for negative consequences, go ahead and stand for what you believe.(Note the basic resignation letter below focuses on a specific scenario that may not be relevant to you. When modifying this for use, you should update all the language in the template while keeping the tone and style similar to whats below.)NameAddress, including zip codePhone number or emailDateImmediate Supervisor,I am resigning from my position at xyz company, effective date.One year ago, you took a chance on me, and I took a chance on the company. I appreciate that both sides took a risk on each other. While its tempting just to walk away, I feel obligated to explain my decision in hopes that it sparks positive change for the colleagues that Im leaving behind.Im resigning because the company is using improper accounting to bolster its financial performance. In my initial memo to you dated month, day, year, I outlined each accounting trick that is hiding losses the company is sustaining. In a subsequent meeting on month, day, year and attended by you, name, and name, we discussed each of the accounting issues in detail and decided to refer the matter to the companys Vice President. On month, day, year a follow-up meeting was held and attended by the same group, the Vice President said the matter had been investigated and concluded that no changes would be made because we are an aggressive company. This is an outcome that I cannot accept.The companys business is built on trust. When its customers and employees find out about the true financial performance of the company, their trust will be destroyed and I expect the company will have to cease operations. This letter of resignation is my last effort to implore the company to correct its practices.Thank you for the opportunity to be heard.Sincerely,NameSample 4If you are writing your letter strictly as a formality, you dont need to say much more aside from the fact that youre leaving, when your last day will be, and any other information your human resources department or manager asks you to include.NameAddress, including zip codePhone number or emailDateImmediate Supervisor,Please accept this letter as a notice of my resignation. My last day of work will be date. I will make an effort to tie up any loose ends and inform you of outstanding projects before then.Sincerely,NameResignation emailleYou should submit your formal resignation in letter form, not only because this makes the process more official, but also because you may need a record of yo ur resignation in the future. You wont be able to access an email because your company will likely shut down your email account when you leaveso make sure to also cc your private email on any important communication between now and then. You might also send an email asking about the official steps for your resignation or informing your manager or HR that youre submitting a letter or resignation. Here are examples of eachEmail inquiring about the next stepsHi HR representatives name,I just discussed my intention to resign from the company on Date. I will be submitting a formal letter of resignation shortly. Is there any important information I should include in my letter, and what are the next steps?Thanks,NameEmail informing the company that youre submitting a letter of resignationManager or HR representatives name,I have submitted a formal resignation letter informing you that I will be leaving the company on Date. I interofficed the letter on Date. Please confirm receipt once you receive it.Id also like to reiterate any important points you included in your letter.Thank you,NameNext StepsAfter turning in your letter of resignation, you should take some further steps to ensure a successful transition. Here are some items to add to your to-do list.1. Work with your manager to develop a plan for the coming weeks.Youve already informed your boss that youll be leaving and given her an end date. Now, you need to work together on the details of what the coming weeks will look like. Determine which projects need your attention the most, and develop a list of priorities. Let your manager know how much you expect to accomplish, and do your best to meet those goals.2. Create a document listing your essential responsibilities.If your successor already works at your company, you can discuss your duties in person. Otherwise, describes your responsibilities in a document. Its a good idea to make this guide even if you do work with her already since shell be able to use it as a reference in the future.3. Complete any pertinent projects and tasks.Using the plan youve created as a basis for prioritizing, complete as many outstanding projects as you can. Tackle the most important ones first before turning to the ones that can be done at a later date by your replacement.4. Make a list of projects that are in progress, noting necessary next steps.While you should try to finish as much work as possible, you may not be able to complete everything. Create a document listing all projects that you havent completed by your departure to share with your boss and successor. Describe what your replacement should do next to ensure successful completion.Resigning with ClassEach resignation letter format above and resignation step to take is a great starting point for when you plan out the transition period for the company and yourself. This formal letter will help you leave a professional image of you in your current job with your current employer, and will help you t urn your resignation into a brand-building career move. You never know when you might want help from your former company in the future, so leaving on good terms is the best way to approach your resignation.--Jennifer Bewley is the founder of Uncuffed which provides detailed research into prospective employers. Jennifer has an unhealthy love of financial data and speaking her mind and she uses each to help candidates choose the company they work for wisely.