people2people news | September 7, 2010
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What Not To Do When Leaving A Role
Posted by Elizabeth: January 29, 2010During my time with people2people I have heard some weird and wonderful reasons for candidates leaving roles. As consultants sit around telling each other about the latest scandal each more outrageous and unexpected than the next I think to myself, “Do these candidates not know any better?” Not only have they ruined their relationship with the recruitment consultant and burnt bridges with the entire agency they are losing out on vital references for future roles. I thought I would take this opportunity to list some of the most memorable stories that have come across my desk and how the candidate could’ve possibly handled the situation a bit more professionally (to say the least).
1. Sending an email/text message to your consultant to inform them you are not going to work anymore, then not returning their calls.This approach will automatically tarnish your reputation with the recruitment consultant, agency, and company you worked for. Your employer won’t appreciate it and your chances of getting references from the organisation will be zero. Therefore even if you hate your job you still need to be professional when leaving. 1. Creating a facebook announcement before or after resignation telling everyone you have found another bigger, higher paying job!
Always be discreet when letting your friends and family know you have found a new job. Of course it’s exciting news and it’s only natural to want to tell the world, but keep in mind social networks can be seen by former colleagues, friends of friends, your boss! Your announcement can taint your reputation going forward.
3. Leaving in a dramatic and emotional exit
Whatever the circumstances when leaving your current position refrain from making it an emotional departure. Getting nasty towards colleagues and company is a pointless exercise. If there is an issue with an employer you should address it discreetly and professionally. It will often help the recruiter manage expectations going forward for both parties when describing the culture, work ethic and job responsibilities.
4. No show, no call, no email, no nothing
It is unprofessional to leave your job without a decent warning. You will instantly ruin your glowing track record. A proper resignation, preferably with a respectable time period should be provided to the employer/recruitment consultant out of courtesy and respect.
Leaving your job can be a positive transition for all parties. You have the power to ensure that leaving your current employer strengthens your relationship and reputation rather than tarnishing it.
Elizabeth Punshon
Consultant Temporary Services
Our company is going to pay a reduced bonus this year. Can I challenge it?
Posted by manda: August 25, 2009A bonus is usually made up of a number of factors. Most commonly, it’s based on the company’s profit performance, which is then allocated based on the mutually agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s). The economic circumstances your company is now encountering would be very different to its situation at the beginning of the financial year. If its profit forecast has had to be downgraded (and this is very common at present) then your company would not be in a position to distribute the same amount of money to its employees. If the company hasn’t made money, there is nothing to distribute.
In fact, during this year, employees have foregone bonuses and even a salary review as the preferred option to losing their jobs. A number of people have elected to work reduced hours for the same reason. It has resulted in a collaborative approach to the workplace, between the employees and their Managers. Of course, the other factor you must consider is your own performance against the benchmark of your KPI’s. You would be aware or your Manager would have made you aware of your performance through out the course of the year. Always refer back to your contract of employment. Your salary is a guaranteed amount, however, in reality, a bonus isn’t.
Manda Milling
Director
Do you manage your recruiter?
Posted by the Editor: August 11, 2009Current market conditions present a challenge for both jobseekers and for the recruitment consultants endeavouring to assist them in their job search. Many job seekers are frustrated with agencies without fully understanding their role in the employment market.
To assist you to get the most from your relationship with your recruitment consultant people2people will be hosting
a webinar forum. In this open discussion you will gain an understanding of the role of a recruitment consultant and how best to engage them to acheive your own career objectives.
The webinar will be a short 15 minute lunchtime online event (12.30pm) on Thursday 27th August hosted by ZiChuan Lim.
To register your interest please email zichuan@people2people.com.au
Mark Smith
Operations Director
Do you have some up to date information on referees and references?
Posted by the Editor: July 28, 2009Verbal references, usually two, are a fact of business life today, whether you are looking for a temporary or a permanent role. The up to date information you are seeking is to ‘keep them up to date’. This means you need to ensure that your referees relate to your most recent work experience, are easily contactable by land line (not mobile) and are aware you have nominated them as a referee. Remember, referees also move and get new jobs, so you may need to have a few names in reserve for emergencies.
Thankfully, due to social networking sites such as Facebook and business networking sites such as Linked In, this has made keeping in touch a little easier. If your referee has changed their job since you worked with them, advise them that the caller will also have to verify their previous place of work where you worked together. Being up to date should fast track your vital job offer!
Manda Milling
Director
What interview feedback should I give?
Posted by the Editor: July 15, 2009After an interview with the client, when I give my feedback to the recruiter, I’m always positive, even if I’m not keen on the job or the interviewer. I don’t want to risk being negative and not being shortlisted for another role.
My advice is to always be honest with yourself and your recruiter. Even in this tight job market it is unrealistic to assume that you will be passionate about every role for which you are interviewed. Without your candid feedback, it makes the process of introducing you to an appropriate role even harder. It becomes guess work and your career is too important for that.
Turning down a role that doesn’t interest or suit you is the right thing to do. However, if this becomes a trend, there is an issue. Are you being considered for the right roles? Is your Recruitment Consultant listening to you? Are your objectives clear? You need to ask these questions.
If you are receiving job offers, this shows how marketable you and your skills really are! Let’s make sure it’s with the best role on offer.
Manda Milling
Director
I have a new job and I have to ask advice before I even start!
Posted by the Editor: June 16, 2009Question
I have just found out that my brother is receiving a major award in Tasmania, six weeks after I commence my new graduate role. As it’s being awarded on a Friday, would you suggest avoid going or advise my new employer now so I can attend?
Answer
I would bring it up with your new employer as soon as possible (don’t do it via email please!!). Put it in terms of “I know this is short notice, I will make up the time, I understand if it’s not possible etc etc”. Don’t give the impression that it’s taken for granted that you can have the day off.
It also depends on what’s in the work timetable at your new employer around that time. In these early stages, it’s all about your behaviour and perceptions about your behaviour. So be aware they will be watching your efforts up to and after the day of your leave.
Manda Milling
Director
My company has recently recruited the head of department externally and people in the department are not happy as they were overlooked. I want to make a fresh start, will I be perceived as ‘an eager to please’?
Posted by the Editor: June 1, 2009You have the right attitude! Those that made the appointment believe this is the best person for the job. The new Manager most likely has experienced this situation before and would be prepared for it. It’s time for people to get on with the job. It will be a poor reflection on those that don’t. It’s their problem, not yours.
Getting on with your job is not opportunism; it’s doing what you’re paid for, and remember, no one is going to look after your career better than you. Learning fresh ideas from a new Manager is very worthwhile, particularly if they challenge the status quo. That is not being “eager to please”. Those that don’t want to be there will eventually leave anyway and a new culture will emerge, one that will reflect how you like to work.
Manda Milling
Director
My Company made a counter offer which I accepted and now I am still not happy. What now?
Posted by the Editor: May 18, 2009For your company to have made you a counter offer, I presume you had handed in your resignation, having accepted a new role. Even in these tough market conditions, companies will still make counter offers to keep valuable employees. However, in my experience, and there is research to support this, the reason people resign is not just about money. A number of factors contribute to a person taking the step to either look for a new role and/or hand in their resignation. The type of factors for example can be; an inability to work with their Manager, a feeling of being unappreciated or the company may have moved to a new location. Statistically, once a counter offer has been accepted, the average time before a re resignation is eight months.
A lot of people would like to be in your situation, however, many factors make up our working lives such as learning opportunities, colleagues and career development and I would imagine your original reasons would not have been resolved by the extra remuneration. I would discuss your situation with your Manager, maybe ask how you can be of more value to them. Of course, if you are in an untenable or an unsafe situation, you must leave.
Manda Milling
Director
Does this make my employment record look ‘choppy’?
Posted by manda: May 4, 2009I have 6 years of work experience across 8 different jobs and I often get questioned about this. The truth is I quickly moved away from jobs I didn’t like to ones I did like. This has helped me to develop faster, but does it make my employment record look ‘choppy’?
Whilst employers do not expect people to stay with them for their entire working life anymore, there is still a value placed on a ’stable working history’. From the employer’s perspective, they want a return on the training and time they have invested in you. I can understand from your perspective, you want to gain as much diverse experience as you can quickly
However, 8 roles in 6 years would look excessive on a resume. We have all made some career mistakes along the way; however, the market will only be forgiving for so long. To stabilise your work history, you need to reevaluate your selection criteria. You also have the opportunity to consider a temporary role that has a view to permanency
Whilst the employment market is flat, you won’t be considered as competitive if your background is considered ‘choppy’.
Manda Milling
Director
Do you have any advice about referees and references?
Posted by the Editor: April 22, 2009Verbal references (usually two) are a fact of business life today. You need to ensure that your referees relate to your most recent work experience, are Managers you have reported to and not work colleagues and are easily contactable by land line (not mobile). Your referees need to be aware you have nominated them as a referee, so that they are prepared for when your potential employer (or recruiter) calls them. Remember, referees also move and get new jobs, so advise them that their previous place of work (where they worked with you) will have be to be verified also. As most job offers are dependent on references being completed, being up to date and prepared should fast track that vital job offer
Manda Milling
Director