How to Get to Work on Time

Every successful employee has one thing in common: they get to work on time. Bosses like people who get to work on time. They don’t like people who are late all the time.

It helps to prepare for your morning the night before. When you’re ready to turn in for the night, it’s easy to tell yourself that you will be able to get everything for your day ready in the morning. It always seems much harder when you wake up. The clock counts down on you without mercy as you scramble to get out the door.

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How to tell your boss you’re leaving

A post-it note of quitting

Whether you were in it for the long haul or just a short stint, quitting a job can be rough. Building connections with your colleagues is critical to a successful career, so you want to ensure you handle your exit gracefully and that you do not burn bridges. While the details of what to tell your boss when you quit may vary based on your relationship with them and your reasons for leaving, you should follow some general guidelines to ensure you don’t end up staining your reputation. These are best practices for how to tell your boss you’re going.

Whether working in a permanent or temporary position, figuring out what to tell your boss when you quit is difficult. The trick to a fulfilling career is networking with peers and coworkers, including your boss. While the specifics of what you choose to share with your boss may depend on your reason for quitting and your relationship with them, there are a few basic expectations to meet when resigning from any position. If you follow this advice, you are highly likely to leave your position with a favorable reputation. 

When deciding how to tell your boss you’re leaving, it’s essential to consider the following guidelines: 

1. Give appropriate notice

When telling your supervisor that you are quitting, you want to give them as much notice as possible to give them time to fill your position. Announcing that you are quitting and that today will be your last day is not what you should tell your boss when you quit because it leaves them with the same amount of work but fewer people around to help. Your employer was kind enough to give you a chance and a job in the first place, so the least you can do when telling your boss you’re leaving is to provide them with a couple of weeks to find your replacement.

Two weeks’ notice is the acceptable time recommended to most professionals. However, one week should be fine if you are in a temporary position. Don’t burn bridges — during your final weeks you must continue to put the same level of effort and energy into your projects and responsibilities. This will ensure you leave on the best possible terms with your boss, whose last experiences with you as a worker will be positive.

2. Quit in person

Thinking about how to tell your boss you’re leaving can be anxiety inducing, tempting you to choose to resign electronically, but it would be rude to quit your job via email. Arrange a time to sit face-to-face with your boss to tell them you will end your position. Your boss will be much more appreciative if you give them the respect of quitting in person, where you can look them in the eye and explain your situation thoroughly. 

Even if your reason to quit involves personal details you’re uncomfortable sharing as part of what to tell your boss when you quit, saying so in person will still come across as more genuine. Knowing how to tell your boss you’re leaving means considering their perspective. This conversation will be one of the last ones they have with you as their employee, so leaving a positive final impression is essential. You never know when you may need a reference down the line, which brings us to the last point:

3. Don’t burn bridges

As we mentioned previously, you want to maintain the connections you made at your position when you quit. Be as respectful and appreciative as possible when quitting because, with your current employer and the experience you gained from them, the time you spent with your old employer gave you what you needed to move up. Showing gratitude is the key to how to tell your boss you’re leaving without burning bridges. 

You can also continue to support the business after you’ve left when the opportunity presents itself. Perhaps your replacement will have some questions for you a few months later — you should offer your assistance. Make sure you leave your job on good terms to use them as a reference if needed, as you’ll want to ensure their references will be good!

How to Earn Respect in the Workplace

Every professional seeks to earn the respect and approval of their boss and coworkers. Earning that respect requires more than just showing up to work on time and taking care of your basic responsibilities. Below, we’ve listed several suggestions of ways you can really impress your colleagues, and especially your boss!

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Professional Email Etiquette

Great communication skills are critical for any career, so it’s important that you express yourself in the clearest, most professional way possible. When it comes to job hunting, every instance of communication with a potential employer is extremely important. Even something as simple as a poorly written email could result in you losing out on an opportunity. Here are a few simple tips to help you write stronger, more articulate emails:

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Timeliness

An interview is your opportunity to make a good first impression. This is why it is imperative to be on time. Whether it is a phone interview or an in-person interview, being on time shows that you are responsible. If you have a morning interview, be sure to check and double-check your alarm the night before to be sure it is set for the correct time. Get up extra early so that you are well-prepared and alert by the time of your interview. Although it is generally good to be early, don’t be too early. Employers schedule interviews for a specific time for a reason. They often are interviewing on a tight schedule, and showing up more than 10-15 minutes before your scheduled interview can throw off the schedule. It is best to arrive a few minutes early or right on time. If you arrive at your destination earlier than planned, sit in your car or go to a coffee shop down the block until it is time for your scheduled interview. Also, be sure to bring the phone number of the person you are meeting. If you are running late for any reason, call the interviewer as soon as possible.

Succeeding in a New Work Environment

When entering a new work environment, it is important to make a good impression by going above and beyond expectations. However, if your efforts are heading in the wrong direction, it may hinder instead of help. Organizations appreciate employees that get behind the company’s goals, so it is important to first identify your new company’s needs and priorities, and focus on filling them. Here are some tips on what to listen and look for in order to best fit into and succeed in a new work environment:

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Effective Networking Strategies

    • Keep in touch with contacts – Following up is important. After you’ve made connections with other professionals, show your interest by staying connected. Keep the contact’s business card and make notes on the back each time you contact them.
    • Maintain a positive online persona – Your profile online should reflect a positive and responsible image.  Make sure your links are professional and in good taste.  Many employers are now using social networking links when screening for candidates.
    • Make a good impression – A positive first impression speaks volumes. Know your abilities and market yourself with those in mind.
    • Listen and observe Focus in on the people that you meet by listening to what they are saying and keeping mental notes on important information. Be a good listener.