When writing a resignation letter, it's important to keep your letter simple, brief, and to the point - include just the facts and leave it at that. It should also be positive, because once you have decided to resign, there's no point in criticizing the company - you may need a reference in the future and there isn't any point in burning bridges because you're leaving anyway.

Write a formal resignation letter, so it can be placed in your employment file. When you're not sure how to write a resignation letter, review sample resignation letters to get some ideas of what to say and how to say it.

If you're going to send an email resignation letter even though that's not really the best way to resign, here's how to notify your employer via email that you're turning in your resignation.

More: Resignation Letters  | Resignation Letter Examples | How to Resign From Your Job

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What to Include in a Resignation Letter originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 19:54:22.

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I know that's often easier said than done, and in many cases, there is absolutely nothing you can to do to avoid being laid-off. 

However, sometimes, you can turn the situation around and keep your job - even if you hate your job.  At the least, take the time to make sure that you really want to quit before you turn in your resignation. 

When saving your job isn't possible, it's important to be prepared to job search, to avoid mistakes that could hinder your job search, and to do what you can to optimize your chances of job search success in a really tough job market.

Related: Ten Steps to Find a New Job |  How to Survive Unemployment

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Keeping Your Job originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 13:28:24.

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Indeed's Industry Employment Trends shows that 10 of the 12 major industries had more job openings in February than a year ago.  These are advertised positions, so they are a good indicator of a positive job market trend.

Indeed.com also reported on companies that added a significant number of jobs in January.  The list includes 7,000 new jobs at JCPenney, 5,000 listings at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and 4,000 new job postings  from AT&T .

TweetMyJOBS reports that the site featured 1.2 million Twitter job postings in the last 30 days with postings for more than  7,000 companies.

The February 2010 CareerCast.com/JobSerf Employment Index, which measures managerial recruitment activity online, also showed  growth in this month with an increase of 12.5 points since January. Cities leading the rebound in per capita hiring gains were Cincinnati (+39%), Cleveland (+37%), Hartford (+28%) and Indianapolis (+24%).

With over 8 million jobs lost since the recession began, the job market still has a long way to go, but, at this point, any reports of an increase in hiring is progress in the right direction.

Job Market Reports: Hiring Up originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 09:59:44.

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 The Senate and Congress will now consider a longer term more comprehensive extension of benefits, hopefully through 2010.   However, as of now, that discussion does not include additional benefits (a "5th tier" of unemployment)  for the long-term unemployed who will run out of all state and federally funded benefits.  The best thing everyone can do is contact your Senator and Member of Congress and urge legislation that will provide more coverage. The National Employment Law Project has a form you can use to easily encourage action:

http://www.nelp.org/page/speakout/FedUIBenefitsNow

If you're out of work, please add your story to our collection:

• Share Your Unemployment Story
• Read Unemployed Worker Stories

More: Unemployment Extension | How to File for Unemployment | What To Do When Unemployment Runs Out

Unemployment Extension News originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 20:00:33.

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On the flip side, of course, are the mistakes you shouldn't be making like spelling the company name wrong or even transposing your own phone number. I know someone who did that and didn't realize it until she after had applied for a ton of jobs. That's why it's important to check, double-check, and triple-check your job application materials before you send them out or upload them to apply for a job.

Review these cover letter tips and techniques for writing top notch cover letters to send with your resume, including cover letter format and presentation, choosing a type of cover letter, writing custom cover letters, and cover letter examples and templates.

More: Resume Tips | Cover Letter Tips | Do You Need a Cover Letter?

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Cover Letter Writing Tips originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 13:00:27.

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Job interviews can be stressful, even if you have gone on lots of them.   The best way to interview as painlessly as possible is to take some time to review common interview questions and sample answers.

There's no need to memorize responses, because you don't want to sound canned, but do take some time to think about what you'll say, so you're not fumbling for an answer during the inteview.

Also, take a look at these tough interview questions, including tricky ones like: What you would do if the boss is 100% wrong?.

 Answering questions like this can hard, so it's good to take a look at advice on how to answer before you go on an interview.

Do you have a really good answer, or two, that you'd like to include on our lists of interview questions and answers? Take a look at more difficult interview answers and add your interview question to the lists of best interview answers.

More: Interview Answers | Post an Interview Question | Top Ten Interview Tips

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Job Interview Questions and Answers originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 13:45:16.

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The Senate and Congress will now consider a longer term more comprehensive extension of benefits, hopefully through 2010.   However, as of now, that discussion does not include additional benefits (a "5th tier" of unemployment)  for the long-term unemployed who will run out of all state and federally funded benefits.  The best thing everyone can do is contact your Senator and Member of Congress and urge legislation that will provide more coverage. The National Employment Law Project has a form you can use to easily encourage action:

http://www.nelp.org/page/speakout/FedUIBenefitsNow

Here's information on what to do when your unemployment checks run out and where unemployed workers can get assistance when they are out or about to run out of benefits.

If you're out of work, please add your story to our collection:

• Share Your Unemployment Story
• Read Unemployed Worker Stories

February 26 Update: The Senate  failed to pass unemployment extension legislation this week.  However, a more extensive unemployment extension package, with Democrats seeking a year long extension of benefits, is on the agenda for Monday. If you are collecting unemployment continue to file for benefits, because extensions have typically been retroactive (the current extended unemployment benefits program expires on February 28) once passed.

In addition, contact your representives urging passing of an extension as soon as possible. The National Employment Law Project has a form you can use to email your representatives.

February 25 Update: The House has voted to extend unemployment benefits and COBRA subsidies for 30 days. The bill passed on a voice vote today and was sent to the Senate, The extension was not approved in the Senate.   Republican Senator Jim Bunning, Kentucky blocked the extension saying  that the $10 billion bill would add to the budget deficit.   If a vote is needed to override his objections that probably will not happen until next week.  The current extended unemployment benefits program will expire on February 28 if not approved before then.

February 12 Update:  Unless Congress passes another unemployment extension, the  extended unemployment benefits program will expire on February 28. Unemployed workers will start receiving notices from their state unemployment offices letting them know their benefits will end. This will happen, even though benefits may be extended when Congress returns from recess on February 22, because states are required by law to inform unemployed workers of the status of their benefits.

February 11 Update:  The latest version of the bipartisan Senate Jobs bill includes a three month unemployment extension.  The legislation, if passed, would extend the federal Extended Benefits Program, the Federal Additional Compensation (extra $25 per week) benefits, and the 65% Cobra health insurance subsidy through May 31. However, a vote on the legislation is not expected until the week of February 22 at the earliest and the current extension expires on February 28.

February 1 Update:  The current unemployment extensions are set to expire on February 28. The Senate and House Jobs Bills may include an extension, but they have not been finalized.  It's important to let your Senator know that continued extensions are critical. Here's how to contact the Senate (from the National Employment Law Project):
http://www.unemployedworkers.org/page/speakout/FederalUI2010

January 20 Update:  The National Employment Law Project is urging Congress to continue the extended unemployment benefits program, including full federal funding of Extended Benefits, the $25 per week in Federal Additional Compensation, and the 65% 15-month COBRA subsidy through the end of 2010. 

December 22 Update:  President Obama has signed legislation extending unemployment benefits, including extended unemployment benefits and the COBRA subsidy, that were set to expire at the end of the year through February.

Eligiblity depends your tier of benefits plus state guidelines, so when the legislation is passed, check with your State Unemployment Office website for details on who qualifies and when and how benefits will be paid.

December 19 Update:  The Senate has passed a two-month extension of unemployment benefits  through February 28, 2010. The legislation, already approved by the House. continues the Extended Benefits Program, the Federal Additional Compensation (extra $25 per week) and the COBRA subsidy. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation.  

December 18 Update:  The House has passed a two-month extension of unemployment benefits  through February 28, 2010. The legislation continues the Extended Benefits Program, the Federal Additional Compensation (extra $25 per week) and the COBRA subsidy.

November 18 Update: There a lot of confusion surrounding the latest unemployment extension, which provides for additional weeks of benefits for workers who run out of unemployment by the end of the year. Part of the reason is that the new legislation changed the exisiting tiers of benefits. The other is that the only eligible workers are those that run out of benefits by the end of the year.

Related:  Unemployment Benefits | Unemployment Extension | How to File for Unemployment

Unemployment Extension originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 10:00:22.

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 If you are collecting unemployment continue to file for benefits, because extensions have typically been retroactive (the current extended unemployment benefits program has expired) once passed.  

Here's information on what to do when your unemployment checks run out and where unemployed workers can get assistance when they are out or about to run out of benefits.

If you're out of work, please add your story to our collection:

• Share Your Unemployment Story
• Read Unemployed Worker Stories

More: Unemployment Extension | How to File for Unemployment | Share Your Unemployment Story

Unemployment Extension News originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 18:00:33.

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Employees ask about overtime, comp time, wages, and other related issues.   I also get asked frequently about getting fired and what happens when your job is terminated. 

Employment law can be confusing and it can be difficult to learn what your rights are and what you are entitled to.  Here are the top 10 workplace violations and what job seekers and employees should know about their rights when it comes to vacation and comp time, overtime, commission, minimum wage, and other worker's rights that are regulated by law.

Related: Employment at Will  | Employment Law | Your Rights When Your Job is Terminated

Top Ten Workplace Violations originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 07:29:13.

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Surveys report that hiring managers think more highly of the candidates who appreciate the chance to interview, so it's worth your while to say thank you for the opportunity.

If you're not sure what to include in your thank you letter or thank you email, review sample thank you letters get suggestions for writing and formatting job interview thank you notes.   And, if you have a thank you letter you're proud of and you'd like to share it with our site visitors, here's how to submit your letter for consideration.

More: Top 10 Thank You Letter Tips | Email Thank You Letters | Thank You Letter Samples

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Saying Thank You After a Job Interview originally appeared on About.com Job Searching on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 at 08:00:51.

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