Chapter 10 - Glad That’s Over (Effectively End Your Job Search)

You have found a new job! Congratulations! But it’s not over yet.

If you were employed during your job search or received multiple offers, it is time to release those employers.

If you need to resign from your present position, you may be feeling an anxiety similar to breaking up with a long-term sweetheart. There were specific reasons why you felt the need to move on, but you cannot deny that there were some good times at your job. There is a chance your employer will feel the same way. They may not be ready to lose you yet.
Before you resign, write down all the reasons why you began you job search. What did you want to change? What could your present employer have done? Did you inform them of your ideas and/or concerns before you began your job search? What has changed since then?

Now sit down and write you resignation letter. It should be professional and to the point.
For example:

Dear Mr. Employer
Thank you for the opportunity you have provided me. The time has come for me to move on. Please accept my resignation on this 8th day of May, 2002.

If you had other potential employers putting together an offer for you or if they had already extended an offer, you need to send them a formal letter saying thank you, but you have accepted another position. Again, it should be professional and to the point.
For example:

Dear Mr. Employer,
Thank you for considering me for xyz position. However, I have received and accepted an offer from another employer.

After receiving the letters, the employers may present you with a counter-offer. Even in a tight job market, counter offers still exist. Finding the right employee is costly. The employer spends money in advertising, search fees, and in time spent screening resumes and interviewing. If you receive a counter offer, be sure you evaluate the circumstances very carefully.

Is what they are currently offering in line with you priorities?
Many employers usually offer more money in a counter-offer, or a promise of a promotion. Consider why this offer wasn’t available before you accepted another position.

Is the counter-offer playing on your emotions?
The emotional counter-offer is very sneaky. It takes advantage of the fact that people don’t like change. You won’t see it coming right away. It will possibly involve a number of people within the organization. You will begin to hear things like “What are we going to do without you?” and “I really hate to see you go.” Sometimes emotional counter-offers can come after you have started your new job, when you are feeling anxious about meeting new people and learning new things. Remain objective. Continue to refer to your list of priorities and why your job search began in the first place.

Is the counter-offer the employer’s temporary solution?
There are numerous stories of candidates accepting counter-offers just to be “let go” 6 months down the road. Consider how your resignation affected your reputation when you are faced with a counter-offer.

Counter offers can feel flattering, but don't let them go to your head. It is widely suggested that candidates evaluate all the options on the table before making a decision. Once a decision is made, stick with it.

It's not over yet. Time to go back and retrace your steps. Aren't you glad you kept track of everything? (You did, didn't you?) Be sure you have expressed your appreciation to everyone who helped you along the way. Make sure that you have withdrawn yourself from consideration to all the employers that are still reviewing your resume. The important thing is to be sure you have ended your job search in a courteous and considerate manner. The good impressions you make will hopefully come back to haunt you.

Don't throw that resume away. Your resume is not an endangered species now that you have landed a great job; it is a growing and evolving document. One day, while you are sitting at your desk, the phone will ring. It will be the recruiter that was given that task to find you and convince you to consider a new opportunity. You know that you should take the time to hear what they have to say even though you are in a satisfying position. In fact, this recruiter just told you about an opportunity that is exactly what you see yourself doing next. Good thing you kept that resume up to date.

Remember as you start your new job, meet new people, learn new task and different ways of doing things, you may begin to feel a bit anxious. The anxieties you are feeling will go away, it just may not go away immediately. For the next 90 days everyone is evaluating you and you are evaluating everyone. Remain confident but ask questions when you need to. Remain professional even when things in the office are getting pretty casual. Anything inappropriate that you say will be magnified since you are new. Be enthusiastic but not overbearing. Remember, the ups about the job when things are feeling down.