How to write a handover

How to write a handover by Amber Rolfe Not sure how to handle a handover? We’ve got you… Whether it’s that you’ve been offered a new role elsewhere, you’re taking a leave of absence, or you’re heading for a promotion or a career change, leaving your current job behind isn’t always as easy as closing the door.To ensure you’re not burning any bridges, and to help your successor walk in your shoes without falling over â€" leaving a detailed handover is vital.We’ve already covered how to resign and provided you with a variety of resignation letter templates â€" but here’s everything you need to know about a handover, and our advice on how to write one:  What is a handover? A handover is a document written by an employee who is leaving their role (either permanently, or temporarily). It’s designed to help whoever is taking on their day-to-day tasks get-to-grips with them, and understand their duties.Essentially, it’s a ‘how to guide’ for the job and the organisation, written b y someone with first-hand experience in it.  Who prepares a handover? Anyone who is leaving a job permanently or taking a leave of absence is usually required to prepare a handover, which will then be given to their replacement and/or other colleagues.They could be:Leaving the companyTaking a sabbaticalTaking maternity leaveAbsent due to sicknessThe person who is leaving the role is also likely to get assistance and input from other members of their team that they worked closely with, along with their manager.Returning to work after sickness  Why do I need a handover? A good handover is essential for most roles, in order to help keep a business running smoothly.And it isn’t just useful to the new employee picking up the tasks â€" it’s also useful to their manager, the wider team, and the company as a whole.Not only does it help them to understand their day-to-day responsibilities, it also allows them to pick up any loose ends â€" whether it’s projects that were unfinished, con versations that are still ongoing, or any other kind of work that their predecessor would have dealt with.Ultimately â€" a good handover means less disruption, higher productivity, and fewer mistakes.  What should a handover include? The exact contents/length of your handover will depend on the nature of your role and your responsibilities, as well as whether you’re leaving the company for good, or just taking a break.However, a handover should generally include:The employee’s day-to-day tasks and responsibilitiesA guide on how to use certain softwareInformation on key processes and systemsLog in details and passwordsAccess to important documents/instructions on where to find themUseful contact numbers and emails â€" including customers, clients, colleagues, and managersDetails of any ongoing projects â€" including status updates, deadlines, and any issues encounteredGeneral housekeepingIf you’re wondering what to include in your handover, put yourself into the shoes of your s uccessor/manager. What would they need to know? What information could ensure a smooth transition?Your guidance won’t just help the business run smoothly, it’ll also ensure all the work you’ve carried out isn’t pushed to the sidelines or forgotten about once you’ve left the office.How to survive an exit interviewReasons for leaving a job: What to tell your employer  When should I start preparing a handover? It’s important to spend as much time as you can putting your handover together.To make sure you’re covering everything, aim to start (even if it’s just setting up meetings or writing notes) two to four weeks before you depart/go on leave. Most companies will require you to work at least a four week notice period, which provides the perfect opportunity to get your handover together.Starting early also allows you to get your manager and/or colleagues to check over it, and ensure there’s nothing you’ve missed.Tips for writing a handoverTie up loose ends. If you†™re leaving the business permanently, it can be useful to put in the extra effort to get any outstanding tasks done before your departure. This reduces how much you have to include in your handover.Make a plan. A handover isn’t just a document. It’s a conversation. Before you can write anything down, it’s vital to work together with your manager to create a plan. This will not only help you to ascertain what to include, it’ll also make your manager aware of any areas of work that may be left unmanned once you’re gone.Talk to the right people. If you know certain aspects of your work are going to be passed on to other members of the team (or your successor works at your organisation already), put some time in to discuss it with them individually. This will allow them to ask questions, ensure they know what they’re responsible for, and gather all the information they need to get things done.Keep it clear. A handover should be a clear and concise document, that’s free of jargon or unnecessary acronyms. To avoid confusion, ensure you’re not using terms that only long-standing colleagues (and/or only you) will understand. If your role is particularly acronym heavy, it might be a good idea to include a glossary of common terms and their meanings.Let go of the reigns. OK, we get it. You’ve developed a real attachment to that spreadsheet. You spent weeks on it â€" and if anyone else touches it, they’ll only ruin it completely. But unfortunately the time has come to pass the torch. As tempting as it might be to keep hold of your pride and joy, relinquishing control and giving it to someone else is the best thing you can do for everyone.Four things you should never do on your last day of workGoodbye email templatesCareer at a crossroads: What to do next    Ready to find your perfect position? 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On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Learning to Mind Your Own Business

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Learning to Mind Your Own Business The report was just sitting there, almost under your nose. OK, so it was on the bosss desk and you were sitting a few feet away, but you have really good eyesight and the ability to read upside down so it wasnt really your fault you read a co-workers recent performance evaluation, was it?And it wasnt really snooping when you were looking for a pencil in a colleagues desk and came across her pay stub your eyes just accidentally happened to focus on how much she makes a month.But chances are if someone took a peek at your performance evaluation or looked at your paycheck without your permission, you would probably be a little angry or upset. While we all delight in having the lives of celebrities exposed in all their demented ways, its not nearly so enjoyable when our private information is exposed to those at work.And heres another consideration: Some companies have strict policies on what employees may or may not discuss, and blabbing that you know what someone else earns or revea ling confidential details of a co-workers performance evaluation could cause the boss to take disciplinary action against you.So, while its true that it makes the workplace more enjoyable when were all friendly with one another and perhaps share some personal information, the key is to remember that we all deserve dignity and privacy, and that should temper our actions. Some ways to do that include:1. Locking your desk. This also includes your files during lunch or at the end of the day, or when youre going to be away for a certain amount of time, such as in a meeting. Dont keep personal information such as your pay stubs or health information at work. Take them home and file in a secure cabinet.2. Using a paper shredder at work. Avoid putting confidential information into a recycling bin if it has not been shredded first. Personally shred your own information and dont rely on someone else to do it.3. Reading carefully. When receiving internal mail, always make sure your name is o n the front before opening, even if it was hand-delivered to you. NEVER peek inside an envelope to someone else, and NEVER snoop in someone else's e-mail.4. Standing firm. Unless you receive a supervisors permission, do not allow anyone to have access to information that you consider confidential.5. Resist being too friendly. When attending a company function, ask your significant other not to reveal too many personal details about you. Its one thing for your husband to tell them you love fishing another to reveal that youre about to default on your mortgage. At the same time, dont try and corner the bosss partner to try and find out the inside scoop on the manager. Thats unfair and unprofessional.

The Most Complimentary Interview Wardrobe - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The Most Complimentary Interview Wardrobe - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career The day for your interview has been scheduled. That means you were among the handful of people selected out of dozens of applicants to continue the competition toward the job offer. Not only do you need this job very badly, but also you studied for it thoroughly by preparing yourself for difficult interview questions and you’re really psyched up. But wait. What will you wear to this coveted interview? An administrative assistant will usher you into an office or conference room where the interviewer and possibly others are waiting for you. They’ve studied your résumé and are prepared. The door opens and you walk inenergetically and with a big smile. They’re looking at you and noticing your appearance. You’re making an impression, and you want that impression to be excellent. You also know that that first impression is a lasting one. Some of what they see cannot be changed. This is the way you lookwhether it’s good or bad. But there’s a lot you can do to improve this first and vital impression. For men it is to some extent easier. Make sure your appearance is clean. A recent haircut and a close shave are musts; a graying beard or mustache adds years to your age. Typically, a well-tailored suit in a dark colorbut not blackis recommended. In summer a nice light color is appropriate but preferably for the follow-up interview, not the first one. However, if the dress code is business casual, the suit may be waived. The shirtwell fitted and in a contemporary styleshould complement your attire. Investing in a today’s-fashion tie is smart. A haberdashery sales associate could guide you, or you could look at a few pictures in one of the clothing-store catalogs that get stuffed periodically into your mailbox. A belt, too, should accentuate your positive appearance. Socks should be in a solid color, without any visible pattern, and should match the color of your shoes. Shoes are extremely important, not only to feel comfortable in but also because they, too, speak about you. A well -shined pair of new shoes creates the image you want to present. The same principles apply to women as well. A hairstyle that enhances appearance is important. Don’t overdo makeup, and my recommendation is to skip the perfume when going for an interview. Your taste in perfumes may not match others’, and the aroma may linger long after you’ve left the office. If you smoke, I suggest you refrain from smoking for at least six hours prior to the interview and that you make sure your interview clothing has been aired out; nonsmokers can detect smokers from far away. Keep jewelry to a minimum, and remember that cleavage and revealing, short skirts might enhance your candidacy in the modeling profession, but if you’re applying for other jobs, consider a more professional, conservative look. Remember the cliché that “the clothing makes the man,” and if you believe it, then investing in your interview wardrobe to enhance your image and thus your chances for the job offer makes sense. Your comments are welcome. The Most Complimentary Interview Wardrobe - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career The day for your interview has been scheduled. That means you were among the handful of people selected out of dozens of applicants to continue the competition toward the job offer. Not only do you need this job very badly, but also you studied for it thoroughly by preparing yourself for difficult interview questions and you’re really psyched up. But wait. What will you wear to this coveted interview? An administrative assistant will usher you into an office or conference room where the interviewer and possibly others are waiting for you. They’ve studied your résumé and are prepared. The door opens and you walk inenergetically and with a big smile. They’re looking at you and noticing your appearance. You’re making an impression, and you want that impression to be excellent. You also know that that first impression is a lasting one. Some of what they see cannot be changed. This is the way you lookwhether it’s good or bad. But there’s a lot you can do to improve this first and vital impression. For men it is to some extent easier. Make sure your appearance is clean. A recent haircut and a close shave are musts; a graying beard or mustache adds years to your age. Typically, a well-tailored suit in a dark colorbut not blackis recommended. In summer a nice light color is appropriate but preferably for the follow-up interview, not the first one. However, if the dress code is business casual, the suit may be waived. The shirtwell fitted and in a contemporary styleshould complement your attire. Investing in a today’s-fashion tie is smart. A haberdashery sales associate could guide you, or you could look at a few pictures in one of the clothing-store catalogs that get stuffed periodically into your mailbox. A belt, too, should accentuate your positive appearance. Socks should be in a solid color, without any visible pattern, and should match the color of your shoes. Shoes are extremely important, not only to feel comfortable in but also because they, too, speak about you. A well -shined pair of new shoes creates the image you want to present. The same principles apply to women as well. A hairstyle that enhances appearance is important. Don’t overdo makeup, and my recommendation is to skip the perfume when going for an interview. Your taste in perfumes may not match others’, and the aroma may linger long after you’ve left the office. If you smoke, I suggest you refrain from smoking for at least six hours prior to the interview and that you make sure your interview clothing has been aired out; nonsmokers can detect smokers from far away. Keep jewelry to a minimum, and remember that cleavage and revealing, short skirts might enhance your candidacy in the modeling profession, but if you’re applying for other jobs, consider a more professional, conservative look. Remember the cliché that “the clothing makes the man,” and if you believe it, then investing in your interview wardrobe to enhance your image and thus your chances for the job offer makes sense.    Your comments are welcome.

Guest Post The Surprising Information Employers Use to Check You Out

Guest Post The Surprising Information Employers Use to Check You Out By Mark Feffer Most job seekers know that employers conduct some kind of background check before they extend a job offer. After all, were used to listing past employers on job applications, and HR routinely calls the companies listed on our resumes to verify the work weve done. But you may not realize the extent to which many businesses will go in their quest to confirm that youre the right hire. For instance, did you know theyll often conduct credit checks and take a look at your social media profiles? They will. The amount of information thats available about each of us has exploded, and employers are taking advantage of it to back up their hiring decisions. Though in some cases such as credit checks companies must obtain your permission in order to conduct their research, in practice its difficult to tell an employer no under the circumstances. This means job seekers have to be active managers of their personal data, public and private. For example, its not enough to assume that just because you pay your bills on time, your credit report is solid. In todays world, you need to anticipate what information employers will see when they go to check you out. Credit Checks Many employers believe that they can tell a lot about a persons sense of responsibility through their payment history, and theyll view too much outstanding debt as a red flag. After all, they reason, a person under enough financial pressure might be tempted to stage some kind of theft. Given that, its important to make sure your credit history is accurate and up to date. By law, youre entitled to obtain a free credit report annually from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. You can request the reports individually, or through annualcreditreport.com. Or, if youd rather, you can call 877-322-8228. Once you receive your reports, review them carefully. If you find mistakes like addresses where youve never lived or accounts with incorrect information contact the reports provider as well as the company that supplied the information (for example, the credit card company). The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a good overview of what to do here. Social Media Odds are employers are going to check out your social media pages, so its a good idea to make sure you havent posted anything that could prove embarrassing. Even if your profiles are set up so only your friends can see them, remember that you cant prevent other people from tagging you in photos, videos and what other people post that might show up on your timeline. Check out your timelines to spot any images or other entries that could hurt your cause and hide them when you find them. The safest thing to do is keep everything G-rated: Dont post pictures of yourself drinking or running around in a costume you wouldnt want your prospective boss to see. Be aware of what other people are posting, and if someone shares a photo or comment thats a problem, ask them to remove it. And never, ever disparage your employer past or present online. Its not professional, and such comments have a way of coming back to haunt you. Google yourself on a regular basis. If anything uncomfortable shows up in the results, contact the appropriate webmaster to see if it can be taken down. If thats not possible, be ready to answer questions about the pages during your interview. Background Checks The rules surrounding criminal background checks vary from state to state, so youll need to contact your local department of labor to learn what applies where you live. If youve had some kind of brush with the law, look at the court records to make sure everything was recorded properly. For example, if you were convicted of a misdemeanor, make sure its listed as a misdemeanor. The research involved in finding your next job isnt limited to understanding the market and learning about a potential employer. Carefully anticipate what employers might find when they look you up, and make sure the information is correct. Between social media, credit reports and other personal data, companies can learn a lot about you. Its your job to make sure theyre seeing the right picture. Author: Mark Feffer has written, edited and produced hundreds of articles on careers, personal finance and technology. His work has appeared on Dice.com, Entrepreneur.com as well as on other top sites. He is currently writing for JobsinVT.com, the top local resource for job seekers, employers and recruiters in Vermont.

Finding a Resume Writing Consultant For Healthcare Professionals

Finding a Resume Writing Consultant For Healthcare ProfessionalsFinding a healthcare resume writing consultant for healthcare professionals can be the best option for some people. There are many people who are not computer literate and can't take advantage of the tools that are available to them on the internet. There are also many people who do not want to spend money on the tools that they need for the job search. The only way to be able to market yourself effectively in the health care industry is to have a professional eye and an advanced resume writing knowledge that can help you with all of your needs.A good healthcare resume can certainly help a person be able to get a better paying job than they would otherwise. This is because there are many job openings in the healthcare industry every year. Even though there are plenty of openings in the health care industry, a lot of these job opportunities may be filled by people who are not well educated about the medical field.For a pe rson who has a less than perfect background in the career field, this can be a difficult task to accomplish. This is especially true for people who are going to be applying for positions such as surgical assistants, lab technicians, nurses, medical assistants, radiology technicians, respiratory therapists, and others. Since it can be hard to find people who are well versed in the field, having a healthcare resume writing consultant for healthcare professionals can help these individuals are able to make the most of their resume.There are many different fields that are filled by people who have less than a perfect background. These people will have a lot of success when they apply for jobs in the medical field. They may have the skills that they need to get a higher paying job if they utilize the expertise of a healthcare resume writing consultant for healthcare professionals. There are plenty of companies that offer this type of service to medical professionals.A resume in the medic al field is meant to be used to start the career of a person in different fields. There are many different medical fields that a person can enter once they have a proven record of working in these fields. These include family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, neurology, psychiatry, and other specialties that a person may enter once they have a degree or certification in a certain field.The ability to market yourself to the health care industry can be an important part of the medical career. A healthcare resume writing consultant for healthcare professionals can help a person from being able to market themselves and get a higher paying job in the medical field. There are many people who are not computer literate and do not have access to the kind of tools that can help them in the medical field.Having a professional eye and resume writing knowledge can help them gain success in their medical career. If a person does not have access to these tools, they may end up losing out on many j obs because of their inability to write an effective medical resume. Having a good resume can give a person the edge when they are trying to get a job in the health care industry.Having a well-written resume can help a person get a higher paying job in the future employer that they are planning to apply for. The best thing about having a good resume is that there are many people that will take advantage of this simple tool. There are many companies online that offer this service to help healthcare professionals improve their resumes.

What to Do When Your Manager is Sabotaging Your Career

What to Do When Your Manager is Sabotaging Your Career What kind of manager do you have? Are they supportive? Do they provide you with opportunities to learn and grow? Perhaps they’re too busy to focus on your career, or mostly focused on their own? There’s a whole range of possibilities, but hopefully you don’t have the worst kind: a manager who is actively sabotaging your career. It hurts to have this kind of manager because not only are they not helping you progress, which a great manager does, but they’re holding or even pushing you back. They can make your life miserable every day and even make you feel depressed. Whether you react with anger and frustration or start to withdraw and even doubt your own abilities, it can be hard to figure out what to do about the situation. If your manager is stifling you and not giving you any opportunities, here are three strategies that can improve your situation. 3 Strategies for Dealing with a Manager Who’s Sabotaging Your Career 1. Do a Reality Check A useful starting point is to get grounded in reality. When I’m upset about a situation, it’s hard to see things from any perspective other than my own. So, when you feel like someone is blocking you from what you want and feel you deserve, it’s hard to see the difference between their intention and the impact it’s having on you. Reality Check #1: Your situation with your manager Have others had a similar experience or are you the only one who’s having this issue with your manager? People who have worked with your manager in the past may have some useful observations to make. When you approach others, make sure you do so in a neutral way in case they are close to your manager. For example, “What’s your advice on the ‘care and feeding’ of Manager X?” or “What’s been your experience of working with Manager Y?” At a minimum, you may discover you are not alone, which can make a big difference in how you feel. Ideally, you may get some actionable advice that works with your manager. Reality Check #2: The assumptions you may be making What has your manager said or done, and what are alternative interpretations from the one you have assumed to be true? What is the “world view” that your manager holds and how is that different from yours? What do you see when you put yourself in your manager’s shoes? How can you pressure test your assumptions? Reality Check #3: What you really want Do you want to stay in this role or on this path? Is this your dream company but it’s just your manager that’s making you miserable? Or maybe this is a job you like but don’t love, one that you’re doing just to pay the bills or because it’s “safe”? Your answer to “what do I really want?” will inform how hard to work at making things work with your manager. 2. Focus on What You Can Do When you feel you have no control over a situation, it’s easy to feel helpless and fall into a “victim” mindset. You start to things personally, and before long, it affects your feelings of self-worth and your overall well-being. Few things help you feel better about a situation than taking action. So, to break out of this negative cycle, think about what you can do on your own without anyone else’s permission. Few things help you feel better about a situation than taking action. For example, you could talk to your manager. That’s when the clarity on what you want is helpful. Make sure you’re prepared to talk about the situation in a mature and professional way. I like to get input from my mentors and sponsors to help me prepare. What would you like to have happen in this situation? What are the 1-2 changes that would make the situation manageable for you (e.g., getting constructive feedback, growth projects). This will help you get clear on what you’re really after so you can start negotiating for that change. You could form alliances with other colleagues, whether internally or outside of your unit or organization. The purpose here is to build a network of people you can talk to and who can support you and give you pointers. So don’t make it about complaining about your manager behind their back. As you form alliances, think about whose help can you enlist and what you want them to do. Mentors, sponsors, boss’s boss could potentially take action on your behalf. Start by going to them and asking for advice and see where that leads. And an action that’s always in your interest is to work on building up your network. While the “payoff” may be longer-term, strengthening your network will help you land on your feet no matter what happens around you. Strengthening your network will help you land on your feet no matter what happens around you. 3. “Fire” Your Manager Once you’ve taken all the actions you can take, it may be time to “fire” your manager if things still don’t improve. And the only way to fire your manager is to leave. This is a big decision and not to be taken lightly. Early on in my career, I got this advice from my office-mate as she listened to me say (yet again!) that I wanted to quit: “May, you aren’t allowed to quit until you’ve tried to make it work on your terms but found you can’t”. So before you quit or give up, it may be worthwhile to go through step 2 one more time! But once you decide to make a move, then make it a priority to find a great manager as you look for your next role. Summary Managers have tremendous influence over our careers. And for much of your career, you’ll be both a manager and the managed. When you have a manager who is sabotaging your career, take heart. You are not alone. Take the time you need to step back and assess the realities, advocate for yourself, engage others to help you, and when necessary, be prepared to find a better landing place where your talents can be valued. When you’re in the manager seat, remember to use your powers for good not evil. Examine your actions for when you may inadvertently be sabotaging your team members. Be open to adapting and growing. Create a safe space for people to share their thoughts and perspectives with you and each other. Be that awesome manager you wish you’d had. Be that awesome manager you wish you’d had. Which of these strategies can you use to improve your situation or help someone else improve theirs? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Questions You Shouldnt Ask Your Interviewer - Sterling Career Concepts

Questions You Shouldn’t Ask Your Interviewer Questions You Shouldn’t Ask Your Interviewer Generally, job candidates are encouraged to ask questions during an interview. However, there are some questions you should avoid if you want to leave your interviewer with a positive impression of you. Do not ask about salary, hours, benefits, or hours. Keep your questions focused on the company and department and how you can help them. Remember that the company has a need to solve, and they are looking for someone to solve that need. Keep the conversation focused on how you can help them and your enthusiasm for joining their company. By asking about things such as salary and benefits, youre shifting the focus to what youre getting out of it. Stay focused on solving their problem to remain an attractive candidate. Also, salary can be discussed once they have verbally extended an offer to hire you, but its best to wait for the interviewer to bring it up first. Steering clear of questions like these will help your interviewer focus on what you offer as a candidate, and that’s exactly the kind of positive impression you want to leave them with.