Using a cover letter template when job hunting is a logical and time saving measure. Your time is limited, so writing one basic one and using it as your template will simplify the application process, making you more efficient and hopefully employed all that much faster.

A basic template can be either bulleted sometimes called an Executive Summary or in paragraph form. The paragraph form of cover letter template is more traditional and preferred by many for the neat appearance it presents. Since hiring managers are busy however, the bulleted format does have advantages. This cover letter template allows you to make quick changes in the emphasis you are placing on your skills in case there is more than one type of job for which you are applying.

A good bulleted template will begin with the date, address and salutation. Then it should reference the position applied for. Open the template itself with a short paragraph highlighting your primary qualification, such as years of experience, and state that you can make a strong contribution to the company. Then back up what youve said with at least two bullet point paragraphs, each listing some of the key qualifications that your resume lists. Youve heard the old saying tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them. This is the place for that.

Your last paragraph should be upbeat and point out that you can make valuable contributions to the organization, list your contact phone number again, and thank the reader for his or her time.

A good template emphasizes the contributions the applicant can make to the prospective employer. Employers dont really care about what you want, they care about what you can do for them, and your cover letter template and resume should reflect that truth.

An alternative to the bulleted template is the standard paragraph formatted cover letter template. It begins as the bulleted one does, with the date, salutation and standard formal correspondence protocols. It will then have three or four paragraphs in block format that point out your years of experience, education and other qualifications in the first paragraph, followed by the second paragraph where you state your desire to join the organization. The third paragraph should go into more detail concerning experience and qualifications. For instance, stating that your skills are in personnel supervision, or in operations management. List a recent accomplishment in this paragraph to back up your earlier words. In the last paragraph point out the obvious it never hurts. Let the reader know that your resume is enclosed and you would like to meet with him soon to exchange ideas. State that you will call him in the next few days if you feel it appropriate, otherwise restate your contact phone number and email address and your availability to meet. End it with your signature and the word enclosure.

This cover letter template also emphasizes what the applicant can do for the company by citing experience. If you follow either of these listed here you should have good success.

Heres a tip for cover letters to get more interviews. Use a bulleted format cover letter rather than a standard letter in paragraphs. The bulleted format is more eye catching, and is more likely to be glanced at by the hiring manager or other person assigned to sort through resumes. This format will help you get your resume seen by more people and as a result get more interviews and more job offers.

If you follow this advice and decide to use the bulleted format, make sure that each bullet point specifies a reason for the hiring manager to talk with you. This reason can be your number of years experience, your education, a personality trait that you have, or an accomplishment.

Examples of bulleted points would be:

Over 20 years experience in Human Resource Management.
Or
Outstanding work ethic. Lead by example.
Or
Master of Science in Education. Currently enrolled in Doctorate program.
Or
Saved last employer 30,000 in revenue through modernization of accounting system.
Or
Increased sales by 25% last quarter.

This bulleted format allows you to toot your own horn, but in a way that does not seem egotistical because it is obviously part of a resume package.

Another tip that will increase the readability of your cover letter is to use bold faced fonts on occasion to emphasize points you want read. Bold face catches the eye, and is a common device used by graphic designers in advertising copy. Your resume and cover letter are marketing tools for you, just as a print media advertising piece is a marketing tool for a business. Consider using bold face as tip from the Fortune 500 ad agencies that you can use without charge.

The next piece of advice to consider concerns the final paragraph of the letter, and will help you in your follow up efforts. When following up often times the hardest thing to do is to get past the gatekeeper. The secretary or administrative assistant that screens calls for his or her boss has an important job to do, but so do you, and reaching the decision maker will make you look good. The gatekeeper will try to stop you if the decision maker is busyafter all, he has better things to do with his time than speak with job seekers. So, in the final paragraph of your letter, before the sincerely and your name, simply state I will call you next week to check on a convenient time to speak with you in person. Youve told the hiring manager you will be calling. Logically he should be expecting your call. For this reason you may tell the gatekeeper that Mr. HR Manager is expecting my call this week. This will increase your chances of getting through, and of getting the interview. This tip is a variation on techniques that good business-to-business sales people use, and will work for you as well, bringing you more interviews and more job offers.

The Top 4 Ways To Build Your Personal Training Business And Which One Is Best!

The Top 4 Ways to Build Your Personal Training Business and Which One is Best!

Everyone wants to grow their business. It doesnt matter who you are, or what business you are in. Unless you are not interested in money or career security, you want your business to grow.

Do you feel like you want to grow your personal training business, but youre not sure how to do it? Are you ready to take your business to the next level, but you dont know how? Then this article is for you!

Lets start by defining the 4 ways that anyone can grow a business, and then we will examine which one has the most growth potential:

1) Get more customers Do you just want more customers who use your service, buy your products, or both? How many customers can you fit into your day, or provide products for? How many customers do you have the time and the resources to support?

2) Sell more products or services to your present customers This is a great idea, since your present customers already trust you. However, it is limited because each customer will only spend a certain amount of money, or they will only need a certain number of products. Once their needs have been filled, or they can no longer afford what you offer, then you will no longer be able to sell products and services to those clients.

3) Raise the prices that you charge for your product or services In most cases, this has got Bad Idea written all over it. Although there are times when raising your prices or your rates is a good business move, just arbitrarily saying that you will simply charge more in order to make more money spells doom for your business in the long run.

4) Find a way to duplicate your efforts by having people who work under you distribute your products or services. There are few drawbacks to this method, and it is in fact the recommended method for business growth in todays economy.

Check out the breakdown below of why methods 1 through 3 are limited at best, and how option 4 duplicating your efforts is the only surefire way to grow your business permanently and exponentially.

1. Getting more customers is always a good idea for any business, provided the infrastructure is in place to handle the needs of the increased customer base. However there are 2 major problems with this method:

a) Acquiring new customers is expensive and time-consuming. Most people are aware that the cost to keep a present customer is significantly less than the cost of acquiring a new one. The time andor finances needed to continually bring in new clients will eventually run out.

b) If you are a small business owner, handling an excessive number of clients or customers can become almost impossible, especially if you are in a service-based industry such as personal training. Even if you hire staff to help with the extra client load, bringing new employees into your organization brings with it another set of headaches that may very well not be worth the effort. If you decide to handle all client service and support yourself, you will quickly find yourself with no life whatsoever, even though you are building and working your business from sun up to sun down day after day.

2. Selling more products or services to your present customers is a great idea, but that idea also has a limited lifespan. Eventually your customers will either no longer need your services (a personal trainer never keeps a client forever), they will run out money to pay for your products or services, or they will get enough products to last them for the foreseeable future, and they will stop buying. All of these scenarios end the same way: You no longer receive any additional revenue from selling more products or services to that customer.

3. Raising the prices of your product or service may be a smart businessmarketing idea in certain circumstances. However, even when that is the case, there is still a set amount of money that your customers will be willing to pay for your products or services.

If you are a personal trainer who trains 8 sessions a day for 50.00 per session, you make 400.00 per day. Not bad! In a 5-day work week, you will make 2,000.000. What would happen if you became known as the best personal trainer in town, and jacked your rates up to 200.00 per training session? You are now making 1,600.00 a day, and bringing in 8,000.00 a week!

Well, first of all, the above scenario is unrealistic. Not many trainers make 200.00 per session. Of those that do, what about cancellations? What about when your clients get sick or go on vacation? What happens if you are the one who gets sick or goes on vacation? What if you get injured? What if you get too old or burnt out to keep up the pace of 40 intensity-packed personal training sessions week after week for years on end?

The fact that you raised your rates to the upper end of what a personal trainer can expect to make doesnt protect you from the fact that there are still many, many obstacles that can and will block your income potential. Some of those obstacles are permanent in nature and out of your control!

4. Finding a way to duplicate your efforts by having people underneath you distribute your products or services is the only solution that is effective, will work indefinitely, and is not bound by your personal schedule or other physical limitations. You will receive a share of the money that is generated by those working under you, and you can eventually leave the game completely if you wish, allowing your business to run itself with minimal guidance and input from you. If you desire true financial and time freedom, duplicating your efforts is the only way it is ever going to happen.

So how do you duplicate your efforts? You find a product andor service that can be distributed by others who work under you, while giving you a share of the profits that are generated by their efforts. The only business model that allows this scenario without hiring employees is Network Marketing.

Network marketing is an industry whose time has finally come. The business regulatory systems in the world have put rules and laws in place to prevent consumers from being taken advantage of by shady companies, false promises, and outright lies. The network marketing companies that remain solvent are profitable, ethical, and they allow you to grow your business exponentially through your own efforts, as well as the efforts of others.

If you truly want to grow your business without limits, and at the same time increase your bank account as well as the amount of time that you can spend with friends and family, a successful network marketing company with quality products meets those requirements easily.

To find out more about why network marketing is the only way to secure your future, read the book Wave 4, Network Marketing in the 21st Century, by Richard Poe. To learn about a network marketing company with the highest morals, the best products, and a true culture that is dedicated to its distributors and their customers, visit http:www.fitnessdestinations.comtni.html.

Every long journey must face its consequential end – and so it is with the career of reporter. The journalistic odyssey of every reporter must eventually reach the end point… the last report from the field. The long years of tedious work in covering beats, going to different places, meeting different personalities and dignitaries all these have induced stress and anxiety even on the most hardiest news reporter.

As a reporter, a part of me rejoices while another part laments. It is really a difficult to swim in the polluted waters of politics and treacherous waters of truth-telling. However, with a deep sense of integrity and love for work, I managed to keep my head above the water. Eating death threats for breakfast, averting every danger while covering rally dispersals, and rendering more than the usual regular work hour just to substantiate and give justice to the news that people read and need. The stress and anxiety challenged not only my physical strength but also the stability of my emotions, and my commitment to the principles of journalism.

Amidst all the challenges of journalism, I always found strength in God who is the Truth. Taking the long, arduous road to the factual truth was truly worth it. It is not everyday that a news item can enlighten the masses to the point of inspiring them to take action. All the stress and anxiety of the work seemed to be of little importance compared to the fulfillment of having brought to the people the information they need.

Quite frankly, I went through heaven and hell just to find my own place in the competitive world of journalism. I, too, had to make sacrifices in terms of time and energy just to fulfill my calling. Like every journalist who tried to maintain integrity in work I, too, had to tread my own via dolorosa my road to suffering. Chasing one scoop after another, haggling to get the best shot and the most exclusive interviews among the Who’s Who — it was expected that I would sooner or later slow down due to stress and anxiety.

Many times, I have contemplated about my worthiness to be a reporter. Modesty aside, my journalistic record already shows that I have what I takes to see my articles in print. Perhaps, like my fellow writers who have finished the struggle before me — I, too, have earned my right…to have a place in this world. Admittedly, there were times when I fell due to self-doubt and envy. But something within me gave me reassurance that I could stand together with the best of them — if I could only stop comparing myself to others. Thankfully, I learned that being a reporter…being a writer is such a solitary work. In the same manner, I should also learn to judge my own work — motivated not by the need to belong or to get approval from others, but for the sheer love of the craft and the desire for continuous self-improvement as a writer and journalist.

My experiences as a writer-reporter reminds me of the story about a man who found favor in the eyes of God. An angel of the Lord appeared to the man and said that he can have three wishes. The only catch was that whatever he wishes for, his neighbor will be granted twice of what he wished for. In reverent awe, the man fell on his knees and thanked the Lord for the blessing he has received. He first wished to have 1,000 heads of cow, and in effect, his neighbor received 2,000. His second wish was for a son, and subsequently his neighbor had twins. In a sudden bout of envy, he asked the Lord to gouge out his left eye so that his neighbor would lose both eyes. The angel of God was saddened by his wish and never granted the last request. Indeed, man must never fall into the trap of envy. Instead, we must strive for excellence while wishing good for our fellowmen.

As a reporter, stress and anxiety will always be present and should be treated as part and parcel of being a journalist. In summary, a reporter-writer must not only search after the truth. He must also be a force for good.

The Role Of The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – A Look Into SANE Programs

Studies have shown that less than half of the victims of sexual assault treated in emergency rooms get basic help with information about the risk of pregnancy or emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.

They have to wait for sometimes up to six hours for treatment, and during this wait, theyre told not to eat, drink, or even use the bathroom before theyre examined because it might destroy evidence.

By the time of the examination, victims often feel re-raped from the treatment by the staff of the emergency room. For this reason, emergency rooms are realizing a need for SANE programs.

SANEs are registered nurses who have specialized training in examining victims of sexual assault. They provide much needed emotional support for victims as well as testify in trials as expert witnesses in the victims perpetrators trials.

They have extensive training in forensic evidence collection, expert witness testimony, STD treatment, and pregnancy evaluation. 75% of SANE programs are hospital based, housed in the emergency rooms while 25% are in the community setting at rape crisis centers or health clinics.

The first SANE programs started in the mid 1970s but it wasnt until the late 1980s that the programs got a major growth spurt as they grew more rapidly in the 1990s when localities started to see the benefits of what these SANE programs have to offer. And by 1996, there were approximately 70 programs in existence.

Now, there are at least 280 SANE programs throughout the United States. Nearly all of these SANE programs serve adolescents and adults, and around half serve pediatric patients.

The programs are staffed by RNs and nurse practitioners that conduct forensic exams of victims of sexual assault. They are required by law to report to local law enforcement sexual assaults that may have caused the victim injury.

On the other hand, the victim has the right to decide to have evidence collected and cooperate with law enforcement by providing them with information. After a SANE program is established, most emergency room personnel are relieved by the service that SANEs provide.

Many municipalities are starting to see the need in these much needed programs. They offer a great service to victims by quickly processing forensic evidence and giving emotional support while making their time to wait for examination as short as possible.

As SANE programs get more and more popular, well start to see many more of these programs as time goes on and this can only help the victims of sexual violence and help put their perpetrators behind bars so they wont have a chance to hurt anyone else.

Among the various kinds of virtual assistant profession, real estate virtual assistants are those who provide services to the real estate agents by taking the load off them. They are very similar to the virtual assistants except for the fact that they are specialized in real estate business providing specific and specialized services to their clients.

The real estate virtual assistants job includes the following:

The real estate virtual assistants maintain and update their clients websites with the present information on homes, contact information; some may even create flyers, advertisement, logo, scheduling appointments with prospective buyers etc. A certified real estate virtual assistant can simplify the process for the realtors. They can handle queries more professionally, handle phone calls and do the general secretarial and administrative jobs, answering emails etc.

Advantages of using a real estate virtual assistant:

The realtor can achieve higher sales and increase the revenue generation when getting the assistance of virtual assistants. The business is well structured with their help and growth of the business is sure. The realtor gets more time for listing and selling homes than taking care of routine activities as they have the professional help got from virtual assistants. The realtor gets more leisure time with less amount of stress. Long-term clients can be taken care with their help by sending updates etc.

Real estate virtual assistants are capable of handling lead generation activities, follow-ups, client database management, coordinating online transactions, planning marketing activities and so on. They can assure the realtor for meeting overall objectives with greater satisfaction.

Virtual real estate assistants will be able to promote the important aspects of business called the customer service. Even though many real estate agents intend to send holiday cards, birthday cards, thank you cards and follow-up emails and cards to their customers and open house attendees, time does not permit them to do so. All these can be done with the help of virtual assistants, as a happy customer is a customer for ever. Apart from these services, a virtual real estate assistant can send closing gifts, creating and sending mailers, creating CD tours of real estate listings, planning events for the customers etc.

Hence the services offered by the real estate virtual assistants are crucial for running the business. It is very important to check the references before hiring a virtual real estate assistant. Hiring a virtual real estate assistant who is self-motivated and efficient is a priceless possession for a real estate agent or a realtor.

Licensing is necessary for an engineer to prove they maintain the expected level of professional competency. A degree alone is not enough. Practicing as an engineer involves important safety and public health issues. For this reason, licensing is required as proof that the individual understands the concepts, their applications and the code of ethics behind working as an engineer.

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) governs the licensure of engineers. They prepare all the engineering licensing exams, regardless of the state the exam is taken in.

There are many advantages to becoming a licensed engineer. For one, only a licensed engineer may use the initials P.E. after their name (Professional Engineer). In addition, only a licensed engineer may use the title engineer to the public and become a private practitioner.

As you probably already recognize, with the uncertainties in this day and age, the more credentials you have, the better your chances of finding employment are. Therefore, becoming a licensed engineer only makes sense.

To summarize the steps to gaining your Professional Engineers License, most states require the completion of an engineering degree and the passing of an 8-hour Fundamentals of Engineering exam. Upon completion of the degree and the passing of the FE Exam, you will qualify for the EIT certificate.

Once you complete the engineering experience requirements (usually 4 years of experience is required) and an 8-hour Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam in the your specialty, you will qualify for official certification as a Professional Engineer and may use the initials P.E. after your name.

So once you graduate, make sure you start the licensing process (if you have not already done so) by gaining the pre-license certificate known as the Engineers in Training (EIT) certificate. Then begin gaining your experience. Be sure to tell your employer that you plan to become a licensed engineer. They will usually be happy to ensure that your work experience meets the criteria for licensing.

The pen is mightier than the sword, says an adage. But most people do not know that when written words become spoken words, they explode like firecrackers! If books speak volumes, speeches fire up entire lives.

There are three kinds of words: the written, the meditated, and the spoken.

Written words inform and give full spectrum of probabilities about a topic or event. Meditated words have the potential to bring out explosive ideas. But when both the written and meditated words are verbalized, the result is tremendous, to say the least. Spoken words are fired from the barrel of a gun (the mouth), through a triggering mechanism (our tongue). When used effectively, words are like bullets that hit targets accurately and leave an indelible mark.

Speaking is a very unique technique of conveying messages. It involves body and soul. It can create a visual drama with live emotions and gestures that put life into the message like no written or meditated messages can achieve. In speaking, you really become the message rather than the words you speak. Thus, entire multitudes can go berserk in public with a moving speech.

It pays to learn how to speak with fire or have a flowery tongue. The power of the spoken word is insurmountable. Entire nations have been either united or divided by one dominant leader who spoke winningly of a cause. Abe Lincoln spoke and persuaded divided Americans to unite, and this was before modern sound systems and media were used.

Vladimir Lenin, on the other hand, spoke with fire to sway Russian peasants and workers to bolt away from Czar Rule, and even called on the Proletariat or working class of other nations to a similar action.

You can also wield this powerful tool of speaking very credibly to an individual or crowd by just learning and practicing the chief points of public speaking. You may be amazed that steps to potent public speaking skills are very simple and easy, yet practicing them is crucial. Delivering the spoken word with power is a science and an art that requires diligence.

Power is gained through mastery. Powerful leaders since ancient civilizations have mastered the ways of the spoken word handed down to them by their forerunners. And if you desire to attain the power of the spoken word, you have to persistently practice your skills in public speaking.

The Original Eight: Genesis of the Modern Day Flight Attendant

The following article serves as a tribute to eight women who were the forerunners of the modern day flight attendant now numbering nearly 250,000 women and men worldwide.

In 1930, it was the dream of many a young man to marry a Boeing Skygirl. These original eight women were single nurses enticed from their homes with the idea of marriage to a rich-lonesome business passenger. Ultimately, however, they played a pivotal role in revolutionizing air travel by ensuring passenger comfort and through promoting the safety of air travel.

During that time America was in the beginning of an economic depression that would eventually deepen and spread to effect the entire world. Nevertheless, new advances in aircraft development continued to be promoted which helped strengthen the accessibility of air travel to the general public.

BOEINGS FIRSTS

The Boeing Company was, at that time, in the enviable position of being both the manufacturer of the first airliner and the first airline passenger transportation company providing cabin services. In 1928 Boeing introduced an airliner designed specifically for passenger comfort and convenience. The Model 80 touted a separate and enclosed flightdeck for the pilots and a spacious cabin for the passengers. The original model held twelve passengers and was followed one year later by the larger, 18-passenger, Model 80-A.

THE ORIGINAL EIGHT

Originally, young boys were hired to serve food, beverages, and comfort the passengers when they became airsick. Soon, however, it was suggested by Ellen Church, a registered nurse, that women — specifically nurses — could work as stewards. She felt that nurses would be best suited to care for passenger comfort (and illnesses), promote a female presence to demonstrate the safety of air travel, and to free up pilots for more important flight duties.

Boeing managers accepted her proposal and on May 15, 1930, eight women were hired for a three month trial. Thus began the position of stewardess the forerunner of the modern day flight attendant.

WIDE AND VARIED DUTIES

The duties of the original stewardesses went far beyond providing cabin services. She served as a tour director by pointing out places of interest including, cities, towns, rivers, mountains, passes, etc. She took tickets, loaded luggage, fueled the plane, and helped the pilots push the aircraft into the hangar!

Because of low ceilings and narrow aisles, Boeing mandated that stewardesses be small in stature with a height limit not to exceed 54 and a weight of no more than 115 lbs.

UNITED REPLACES BOEING

In 1931 Boeing Air Transportation, Inc., merged with three other transportation companies to form the newly named United Airlines. About that time most of the original eight returned to more conventional lives.

MARGARET ARNOTT INTERVIEWED

In 1996, Clipped Wings historian Vicy Morris Young wrote a tribute to the original eight which made mention of an earlier interview with Margaret Arnott, the last surviving member of the heralded group. Just before her death in 1995, Margaret shared how as she was awaiting hip surgery her doctor brought in a framed photo from his wife — who was then flying for American Airlines — that she wanted to have Margaret autograph. The doctor’s wife found it in an antique store and it was the only one taken that had all eight women together in uniform. Laughing aloud, Margaret said, I never thought I would end up in an antique store! I notice you asked for the signature before you did my surgery!

Margaret loved to meet with latter day flight attendants who always asked about early flying experiences. Known for her sense of humor, she was telling a young woman onboard a trip about an emergency landing in a muddy corn field. Her listener asked seriously, And did they jet you back to Chicago? A solemn reply, backed by a mischievous grin was, Not that day.

THE ENSUING YEARS

Soon after the introduction of the original eight other airlines began to hire stewardesses too. Government regulation of steward(esses) began in 1952 when the Civil Aeronautics Administration, now known as the Federal Aviation Administration, passed a resolution requiring all air carrier aircraft with a capacity of ten or more passengers to provide at least one steward(ess) for safety reasons. In 1974 the FAA rewrote the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) to read, flight attendant crewmember. This step was significant in professionalizing the role of the flight attendant.

No formal government standards exist in the United States to regulate the Corporate or Business Flight Attendant. Most large corporations and air carriers employ flight attendants as they recognize the importance of providing exceptional service from both comfort and safety aspects.

Todays crop of flight attendants consists of men and women of a multitude of nationalities working for a variety of commercial, business, and private companies. Unlike the original eight they no longer have to push planes into hangars, load luggage, or fuel the aircraft. However, thanks to jet travel, they can be expected to travel longer, higher, and further than their counterparts, interact cross-culturally, and be equipped to handle any conceivable emergency situation that may arise. Nearly 75 years after Ellen Churchs idea became a reality, the benefits of utilizing flight attendants has been enormous. We salute the original eight and all that have followed in their footsteps.

Original Eight Tidbits

The Original Eight stewardesses were: Ellen Church, Margaret Arnott, Jessie Carter, Ellis Crawford, Harriet Fry, Alva Johnson, Inez Keller and Cornelia Peterman.

Ellen Churchs first flight was on May 15, 1930. She flew from San Francisco to Cheyenne, Wyoming. (Source: www.kwtv.com)

Church was from Cresco, Iowa. In 1959 that city built a new airfield and named it Ellen Church Field (CJJ) in her honor. Source: Iowa State University extension website: ww.exnet.iastate.edu)

Can you guess how much the first flight attendants were paid in 1930? They received a salary for the princely sum of 125. per month!

Sources:

First Stewardess From Cresco, Iowa State University Extension, WWW.EXNET.IASTATE.EDU.

Model 80, Boeing Company, WWW.BOEING.COM.

A Special Tribute The Original Eight Stewardesses, Vicy Morris Young, Clipped Wings, WWW.CLIPPEDWINGS.COM.

Once you’ve accepted the offer with your new employer and set the start date, obviously the next step is to let your current employer know you’ll be leaving. Write a brief letter of resignation (the operative word there is “brief”).

If you feel a need out of loyalty or guilt to write anything more than a few short sentences, curb it. The only information your letter needs to contain are the following two (possibly three) items:

– that you are leaving your current company
– what your last date of employment will be, and
– if you feel comfortable adding a sentence or two about how you enjoyed working for your current company, and you appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of the organization, tack that on

It should NOT include:

– why you are leaving
– where you are going
– what you will be doing in your new position
– how much you will be making when you get there
– how bad you feel about leaving (or conversely, how glad you are to be going!)

Make an appointment with your boss and hand deliver the letter. Tell him verbally the same words that your letter says, because the face-to-face is courteous and professional, while the letter is a formality for record of your employment. And be prepared for one of three things to happen.

Either your boss will professionally acknowledge your resignation, say how sorry he is to have you go, and shake your hand, or he will become very silent – just before he asks you what it would take to keep you. Or quite possibly, he’ll do the former, and you’ll be asked to another meeting later so that he can find out what it will take to keep you.

If your company is truly professional, you’ll resign, shake hands, and that will be that. But it doesn’t always go down that way, which takes us into the second way to resign, which actually is in danger of not being a resignation at all. It only starts out that way.

The first thing you need to know is that a counter offer is NOT – IS NOT – a sincere and genuine statement of their desire to keep you around for as long as you might decide to stay should you change your mind and accept their counter offer.

What you’ve just done by resigning is put the company at a disadvantage. You are creating an opening within the company, and you’ve left your company at a loss. By resigning, you’ve basically said, “I’m not interested in this company any more.” You’ve caused your loyalty to be questioned. You are in control, and they are not.

If your boss invites you in for a concerned chat, you’re better off sounding like a broken record – repeating your “thank you” and “my last day is…” than you are involving yourself in what appears to be a caring conversation about your ensuing future.

It doesn’t matter what you want or what you ask for, because they’ll give it to you – in one form or another – or possibly offer you something tasty before you even speak up. After they’ve lulled and flattered you into submission, and as you walk out the door smiling, they’re calling the newspaper or a recruiter and ordering up a confidential replacement.

In 25 years of recruiting – my firm, and working with other firms – I have never, ever, ever seen an accepted counter offer work in favor of the individual.

Don’t, for a minute, think I am being overly dramatic. A counter offer is a complete and 100% appeal to your ego and an attempt to push your guilt button. It’s unprofessional of your company to attempt it, and it’s unprofessional (and ill conceived) of you to take it.

It might be a month, or six months, but eventually, your next departure from the company will be on their terms.