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Changing Jobs? 5 Tips for a Smooth Job Transition

Changing Jobs? 5 Tips for a Smooth Job Transition

by | Dec 16, 2016 | Career, Job Offers, Managing Yourself, Resignation, World of Work

If you’ve made up your mind to change jobs, the transitional period between quitting and looking for a new job, or joining a new job you may already have landed, can be quite unsettling. But remember, “this too shall pass”. In this post, we suggest 5 tips to help you with a smooth job transition.

Think it through

Is your decision to quit a well thought out one or an impulsive one? If impulsive, then think it through once again. Career decisions need to be gradual and well researched, not sudden and abrupt. Of course, we agree that you do need to take risks at some point in your career if you really believe it is for the best. However, diving headlong into something you have absolutely no idea about, leaving behind a secure job and pay, can be a tad too risky.

Do a SWOT Analysis

A SWOT Analysis is a Strengths Weakness Opportunity and Threats Analysis. Use this opportunity to assess yourself along SWOT lines. Think about your new job and relate your Strengths and Weaknesses to it. Think about the Opportunities and avenues that the new venture will open up for you. At the same time, assess the potential Threats to your career if you decide on changing jobs. Write these down for clarity and talk to a senior colleague or friend who’s been working for some time and has an idea about the high and low tides of the job market. It is seldom wise to make such decisions in isolation. Talking always helps.

Make peace with your decision to quit

If you haven’t been impulsive and have thought this job transition through, you need to put behind any feelings of guilt you might be experiencing. Be loyal to yourself first, and then the company. You may have had a long and fruitful association with the organization, however, if you have realized there is no more scope for you to grow as a professional and that you desire more from your career, resigning is the best thing to do.

End Well

If you’ve been reading our previous posts, you must have noticed the stress we have been laying on this particular point. We are going to repeat it for you anyway. No matter what the reason for your resignation is, you must end your relationship with your current organization gracefully. It is more important for you to end well than start well, if you’ve landed a job with another company, you’ve quite obviously already made an impression! Ending on good terms, despite differences, sets you apart as a thorough professional.

Handover

The notice period will be your last few working days at the organization before your job transition. Winding up can be an exhausting process. Give the organization what you owe it and, make sure you receive what the organization owes you. Discuss this with the HR to avoid any last minute confusion regarding your cumulative pay at the end of your notice period, and/or any bonuses, benefits, insurance, share values you should receive.

Bonus Tip : Keep Calm and  Chant  “this too shall pass” – the odds of faith in the face of doubt! 🙂

Be #HappyInTheNow 🙂

Writing Effective Emails – Why Your Subject Line and Signature Matters

Writing Effective Emails – Why Your Subject Line and Signature Matters

by | Dec 3, 2016 | Email Etiquette, World of Work

Usually while drafting an email, we pay little attention to the subject line and the signature at the end of the email. Some of us even go so far as to leave these fields completely blank, simply writing the text of the email without any subject or signature. Very often, the subject line helps the recipient decide whether or not (s)he should even open the email. The signature reflects courtesy and also, a formal end to the email. Here are our thoughts on the importance of subject lines and signatures – especially when it comes to drafting a Effective Professional Emails.

Firstly,

it has to give enough information that the reader understands what the e-mail is about. For example, a subject that goes “Action required” is ambiguous and unlikely to ring any bells with the reader. A better subject line would be “Assignment Deadline: Action required”, which makes it clear to the reader that the mail is regarding the assignment deadline and he needs to do something about it.

it has to be interesting enough that the user wants to read the rest of the letter. For example, a subject line “Quick question” is unlikely to arouse any interest in the reader and he might dismiss it as irrelevant if he is busy. You probably could have pinged him regarding the “quick question”, right? Instead, “Quick question about Friday’s seminar” gives the reader just enough information on what the question is about and he may go on to read the rest of it. It is important to keep in mind that the subject has to be concise and informative – being too lengthy can annoy the reader, for example, “Quick question on the 3rd day of the first seminar in this quarter on sales held on Friday”. Leave unnecessary details out of the subject line – include them in the text of the e-mail.

The subject line also serves to set the context of the mail. It should make the tone of the mail clear – whether it is a complaint, a query, a request, a congratulatory letter, or something that needs urgent attention. That prepares the reader for the content and he/she can spend more time on the details rather than finding out what the letter is for.

An equally important part of your email is how you end it, i.e. the signature. When writing a formal email, it is important to sign off appropriately. ‘Regards’ or ‘Thanks’ or ‘Best’ are the safest phrases to sign off with. Although smileys like 🙂 are accepted in informal mails, it is best to avoid using these in your business/professional emails. Likewise, avoid phrases that sound forced – ‘Thanks so much!’ might only be apt if it is a request mail.

At the end comes your contact information. When writing Effective Professional Emails, you should write your full name. Avoid signing off with only your first name or a nick name. Provide brief contact details, like your phone number and fax. If the reader does not know you, you should include your designation and the name of the organization. However, refrain from putting in unnecessary detail about yourself. Moreover, avoid putting inspiring quotes or large disclaimer messages or images that might take time to load over slow connections (which also, at times, come across as pretentious or pompous).

The subject and the sign off should be in sync with the tone of your email, so that you communicate yourself effectively.

All the best!

Your Job Search Websites Checklist – Top Job Portals – Part I

by | Nov 22, 2016 | Job Offers, Resignation, World of Work

The title of the post says it all, so let’s dive right into learning about some of the best job portals you should definitely check out when actively looking for a job.

Monster 

Monster is how it all began. This site is the one of the oldest  job portals in the world and has very successfully managed to sustain itself still as one of the most efficient search engines. The site not only lists full time jobs, it also lists part time and hourly jobs in every career field that there is. Monster (monster.com/monster.co.in) goes beyond simply listing jobs, it also publishes tons of relevant career related articles and advice.

The privacy feature on Monster works as a boon if you do not want a company to come across your resume, and especially if that company is currently where you are working at! Speaking of sustainability (and scalability) of a business model for over 2 decades in the most fiercely competitive market – the internet, Monster has probably been able to thrive and grow by constantly innovating. It is the father of the BeKnown application for Facebook, which allows you to take your job search to the biggest social network in the world.

Naukri.com

is another job-hunting behemoth of India that has been around since 1997. Naukri has a well organized website, advertising jobs by sector, location, designation, skills and company. It also provides career services by the name of Naukri FastForward, which include resume writing help, resume reviews as well as getting connected with recruiters in your domain. Having survived tough competition for decades, the quality of these services can be trusted.

LinkedIn

It shall come as a surprise to none that LinkedIn is the world’s largest network of professionals, approximately 225 million! LinkedIn has surely become the go-to site for job hunters and for employers alike. The user interface is fairly simple, your profile on LinkedIn is your resume which lists all your work experience and skills and connects you with other professionals. The site also directly lists jobs by employers.

A unique feature of LinkedIn is its inbuilt referral system, if one of your LinkedIn connections is LinkedIn with a professional at a company you are applying or wish to apply to, you can ask them to connect you. A lot of companies require you to just apply through your LinkedIn profile, which is increasingly becoming a trend. It is surely worthwhile to spend some time every once in a while updating your profile and connecting through LinkedIn just for the sake of networking, even if you may not be actively looking for a job at the moment.

Sheroes.com

Sheroes is a Careers community for women in India. Sheroes has a group of mentors to coach women and help them find the perfect job. Much more than a job-listing search engine, Sheroes organizes events in major cities across India frequently and has succeeded in forming a community of over 5000 ‘Sheroes’ – women who have benefited from this website. Along with job listings including flex-work opportunities relevant to women, this website also provides the opportunity to connect with a lot of people who have been through the job-hunting process.

Craigslist

Craigslist is what you might call your old school classifieds gone tech savvy. Starting from jobs, to housing, goods and services and even romance and advice, it has it all! The good thing about Craigslist is employers directly post their requirements and it is not moderated, also, it specializes in finding jobs in your vicinity. On the flipside however, the listings are way too broad and you may have to spend some time trying to narrow down on your searches, also, it does not have a feature where you could post your resume or sign up for emails.

Facebook

Though one wouldn’t say Facebook is competition for all the other platforms listed here, one wouldn’t be wrong in saying that it is more than just social networking, it is more than just check-ins, pictures and posts. Employers and job seekers alike are increasingly taking to Facebook to look for jobs and also for reviewing their prospective employees or employers. The free Facebook page facility has been a blessing for especially the startup scene, in trying to draw attention to the work they are doing and also post their requirements for employees/entrepreneurs. The highly successful Delhi and Bangalore Startups pages are only two examples of the same. Also, while you are on Facebook looking for a job, do spend some time cleaning up and organizing your profile, it really means more than you can fathom!

Read on in our next post for all the other top job portals /channels/platforms that you need to check out when searching for a job.

Happy Hunting!

Stop! Before You Say Yes To The Job Offer – 5 Questions You Must Ask Yourself Before Taking A Job

Stop! Before You Say Yes To The Job Offer – 5 Questions You Must Ask Yourself Before Taking A Job

by | Nov 19, 2016 | Job Offers, World of Work

In our previous post, we spoke about what the five most important questions are that you must ask your prospective employer before accepting a job offer. In this post, we talk about the more important bit – the five questions you need to ask yourself  before accepting the offer.

Do I really want this job?

Answer the question in all sincerity and honesty. Understand what the profile expects of you and if you will be able to deliver. Go through the job description again and check if this was what you had signed up for. Once you receive the job offer, it is important to understand if you are taking up the job because you need  it or you want  it. Of course, we all need to earn money. That in itself though, may not sustain as motivation enough in the long run. Analyze what your motivation is for taking up the job and whether it is going to be sustainable in the long run.

Am I getting what I deserve (in terms of salary and benefits)?

The pay package you receive can sometimes be the only thing to pull you out of bed on groggy Monday mornings. While the negotiation ideally should have been done before you received an offer, make sure you do not settle for less than what you think is a fair deal. Also, it must be a package. Consider the additional benefits that you should be receiving like transport, accommodation benefits, and tuition reimbursement should you decide on further education. You may also compare the package you are receiving to that of friends or colleagues holding similar positions.

Can I grow here?

This question will be your moment of truth. For a healthy career graph, the job offer should give you scope to grow in terms of responsibilities as well as financially. Ask yourself if the job will provide you sufficient opportunities to grow and learn as an individual and professionally. It should also be an opportunity that makes use of your talent and skills, only then will you truly enjoy what you do.

Do I see myself blending into the work culture here?

You must realize that you would be spending about eight hours, if not more, on an average per day at your chosen work place. Give the work environment and culture some serious thought before committing. If possible, also try to meet and interact with your future co-workers, especially if you are going to be working as a part of a team. A lot of times, this may not be possible practically.

A good way to go about it through the official route, would be connecting friends or acquaintances working in the company informally. However, your informal interaction must be strictly in a professional manner. It should not affect your reputation or career if you go ahead and join. Virtual spaces like Quora, Glassdoor and LinkedIn are your safest bet, to give you an idea about how happy employees at the given organization are, and what their views are regarding the work culture there.

Will I be able to maintain the work-life balance?

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. If the job schedule is so tough that it will keep your nose to the grindstone, you will get frustrated with it very soon. “Me time” is more important than we give it credit for. Ask yourself if your work life will complement your personal life and whether it will allow you enough breathing space. Whether the work hours be flexible? If you will get enough paid leaves? And if you will have enough time to enjoy a fulfilling personal life? Do you think you will look forward to Monday mornings? (Well, said no (wo)man “yes” ever!)

So before you say yes to a job offer, weigh the pros and cons very carefully to arrive at a decision. Spending some time introspecting about how you actually feel about taking up the offer is something worth doing especially if this is something you have been looking forward to for some time now.

In short, look before you leap!

Stop! Before You Say Yes To the Job Offer – 5 Questions You Must Ask the Employer

Stop! Before You Say Yes To the Job Offer – 5 Questions You Must Ask the Employer

by | Nov 16, 2016 | Job Offers, World of Work

If you’ve been waiting long enough for that job offer, it is likely that you would say “yes!” immediately. However, let’s agree that most of the times, decisions made on an impulse may not be the best ones, especially when they are regarding your career. When you receive the job offer, the first thing you should ask your prospective employer is for a deadline to seal the deal. A cooling period of at least 24 hours is necessary before you accept or decline the offer, even if you may have made up your mind regarding the offer before you even got it. Here are a list of five questions you absolutely must ask the employer before accepting the offer.

What is the salary structure and the benefits plan?

You may have fought tooth and nail while negotiating the numbers to get your salt’s worth, however, numbers are more complicated than one might think. Ask clearly regarding your take-home amount after tax, bonus and incentives (and its basis for calculation). Find out about your employee insurance benefits. There are many kinds of insurance, like health, maternity, et al. Make sure you know what the insurance covers. Ask in detail regarding transport and accommodation reimbursement, if any. Make a list of all the benefits you can think of, and know other people receive in similar kinds of jobs, so that you don’t forget. Ask the organization to list the benefits they finally agree upon, on paper, before you accept the offer.

Will my moving expenses be covered?

It is not unusual for companies to pay for your moving expenses (which is equal to the transport expenses for you and your stuff), in fact, it is expected (though not mandatory). If they do not mention the details regarding the reimbursement of your moving expenses, make sure you ask. Most companies also arrange accommodation (which includes meals) for you while you house hunt and are in the process of settling in. Understand the rules of the reimbursement carefully to avoid complications later. If they do not have a policy of providing for moving expenses, try and negotiate for one.

Are the work timings flexible? Will I have the option to work from home on certain days?

Is it going to be a typical 9 to 5 job with strict sign ins and sign outs or can it be a flexible one? If yes, what are the terms and conditions of the flexibility? Ask in detail regarding the timings and also if you have the option to work from home on a rain check day. Do ask about the consequences in case you fail to adhere to the rules for timings if they are not flexible.

How many paid holidays do I get?

Balancing work and life is tough and paid holidays are a crucial determinant for the balance 😉  While you may feel inhibited asking about holidays even before starting work, it is very wise to go ahead and ask anyway. No point whining over it once you’ve accepted the offer. Also make sure to find out if your holidays can roll over from one calendar year to the next.

Will the company support my decision to continue my education in the future?

If your plan is to achieve some work experience and continue with further education few years down the line, you may as well discuss about the company’s policy to support employees’ education. Find out about the tuition fee reimbursement, if any. Of course, if the company does invest in your education, it would expect you to come back and resume work post your studies. If not reimbursement, the company may also provide loans with a subsidized interest rate. Even if you may not be planning on getting another degree any time soon, it is anyway wise to find out in detail regarding their policies for employee education before accepting the offer. It is essential to keep polishing your skill set and education is one of the best ways to go about it.

These are the five crucial questions that we think you must ask before saying aye or nay ! There are also a few important questions that you must ask yourself before accepting the job offer, read more on that here. Do you think there are other equally or more important questions? We would love to hear from you.

And if you have asked yourself these questions and have decided to go ahead and accept the job offer, we at OBOlinx wish you much success in this new step of your career journey!