Recruitment Process

Changing roles can be a stressful time and you need to have a process in place to make sure you reach the right decision. Whether you are head-hunted for a role or actively starting to look, following a few basic principles will help you on your way.

• Analyse your current role.
• Make a list of your job responsibilities and consider other factors including how you get on with your team, engage with the company's culture, enjoy working for your boss, remuneration. Give each point on your list a score:1 for dissatisfied up to 5 for completely happy.
• If your score is low it may mean that it is time to find a new role, however speak to your Manager first. Can things be done to change your dissatisfied scores to higher ones? Can you move teams, be promoted, get a pay rise? If after a sensible conversation and a thorough analysis you do decide a new job is needed make a fresh list outlining what you want in your next role. This will enable you to be focused in your search, interview for the right jobs and make a good decision.

When you are offered a role that meets your expectations do not resign until you have that offer in writing and are completely satisfied with the terms and conditions. Contemplate before you make your final decision:

• Weigh up the pro's and con's of your current role and your new role.
• Have you pursued all avenues for advancement in your current firm.
• Is there definitely no extra money in the pot at your current employers.
• Follow your head and don't under estimate your ability. Remember your goals and ambitions.

Often the excitement of securing a new role is accompanied by feelings of trepidation when it actually comes to resign. The best approach is to keep it short, simple and diplomatic. Type up a resignation letter and arrange to have a face-to-face meeting with your boss. Do not gossip to your work colleagues first, treat your offer in confidence and act professionally.

Be prepared:

• Articulate that your intention is to resign.
• Try not to dwell on negatives perhaps focus on why you have decided to accept a new position and how you feel it will advance your career.
• Emphasise that your decision is final and you are committed to your new employer.
• Agree on a final work date and discuss what areas of work you need to complete or handover.
• Be prepared for your Manager to perhaps be quite emotional, they could be genuinely upset, or look to make you feel guilty that you are letting the side down.
• Have your resignation letter to hand and present it in the meeting.

Keep it short and polite. Include the following things:

• Your intention is to resign.
• Refer to the notice period you have to give and mention when your last day will be.
• Thank your employer for their support over the time you have worked there.
• Articulate that you are happy to complete work and hand over cases as appropriate.

If you are pushed to give your reasons for leaving and focusing on the positives of your new role isn't convincing your Manager, refer back to the conversation you had after analysing your role. If you have had a conversation with your Manager highlighting that you are unhappy your resignation should not be difficult or come as a surprise.

Companies present counter offers to keep their intellectual property from walking out the door. It is about them not you. Just ‘google’ the phrase counter offers and you will come across plenty of websites all telling you not to accept a counter offer. Your loyalty will always be in question and if you have already had that all important conversation with your Manager concerning your unhappiness question why you are only being listened to and getting improved conditions after your resignation. Only you can make the decision whether to stay or go. Don't let anyone pressurise you, ask for a few days away from the office to make your decision. If you decide to stay and things do not work out you will just have to start the process of your job hunt again!