With a new year rolling around, many people begin to feel inclined to start their long-awaited job hunt. We’re here to explain to you why you should get a jump start now… at the greatest time of the year for hiring opportunities!

Primarily, the “newness” of the year, entailing refreshed budgets, sales forecasts, new endeavors, or projects allows for many organizations to be able to expand and implement new hiring opportunities. For this reason, it would be highly beneficial for you to stay updated on a list of companies which pique your interest as potential employers. If they appear to be expanding a certain sector of their business that you are interested in, get your foot in the door as soon as possible!

How To Get Started . . .

  • Start as early as possible, and Network! Take advantage of the holiday season and new year celebrations by appreciating being surrounded by a network of supportive family and friends. This is a great time to begin asking whether these people are aware of future company expansions, job opportunities, or any contacts to help you get a head start.
  • Begin Prioritizing: It’s easy to get caught up in long lists of companies, different job titles, and roles, responsibilities, or several other aspects that new career or job entails. To avoid getting distracted, begin by creating a list of “desires” you have in your new job. Whether this focuses on location, specific roles, company size, or culture, understanding your priorities will allow you to narrow in on your job hunt much more quickly.
  • Take time to Refresh and Reboot: Yes, we’re talking about your resume and social media platforms! Is your resume polished, and updated with all of your most relevant experiences? Is your LinkedIn page organized? Is your profile picture professional? There is no better time to refresh all of your professional resources than during the relaxing holiday season!
  • Cover Letter: On the same note as above, we encourage you to set aside a few hours to craft a cover letter that will showcase your motivation, dedication, and enthusiasm to any new company you apply to. Remember, avoid sounding generic, uninterested, or impersonal.
  • Align Your References: Just as you are hopefully experiencing a bit of a work-free relaxation, so are those who you will reach out to as professional references. Take advantage of this “free time” to reach out and request a letter of reference far ahead of when you’ll need it

When to Apply?

We want to encourage you to wait a couple of days or even a week to apply to a new position during the beginning of the year. Our reasoning for this stems from a common understanding that it does, in fact, take some time for companies to get back into their regular routines. Be mindful of this time-window, and extra aware of new job postings and updates on the company websites or other resources.

  • Extra tip: If the company you are interested in does not post job applications directly on their website, try checking out other channels such as indeed.com, monster.com, or LinkedIn!

It is perfect timing to apply to new jobs… so what are you waiting for? Check out our open jobs list today!

Click here to uncover resume tips from our very own team of recruiters!

We wish you all a very happy, healthy, and safe new year! We also know what that comes with… resolutions! Today, we’re here to teach you the best tips and tricks to help those resolutions stick.

  • Make Sure Your Goals are Realistic: There is no reason to set goals that you may have not been able to keep in the past or ones that have a very slim chance of becoming attainable. For that reason, before you begin creating resolutions, measure your realistic ability to maintain them!
  • Beneficial Goals are SMART: Goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound are those that will help you gain the greatest improvements and yield the largest success!
  • Set a Time-Frame: Creating a scheduled time frame in which you allow yourself to reach your goal, or portions of your goal along the way (i.e.: one pound loss per week), is a great way to help yourself stay on track and be held responsible for your personal progress!
  • Take it Step by Step: If you are someone who has set out an entire list of goals for the upcoming year, we congratulate you! We also encourage you to remember that it is important to choose one goal at a time and potentially begin with prioritizing those that are most important to your growth.
  • Prepare for Challenge: As glamorous as it sounds to set a new goal each year, whether this relates to professional development, fitness, family and friends, or something personal, each goal is nearly guaranteed to be accompanied by challenge! Your dedication will definitely be tested, so remember, failure is a vital component of success!
  • Value Your Support System: You are not in this alone! Millions upon millions of people create goals year round. Likely, some of these people will include family, friends, coworkers, or even mentors! Use teamwork to grow with others as a team, as support may very well be the fuel that allows you to achieve your resolutions!
  • Talk to Others: Going hand-in-hand with your support system is the value in disclosing your goals with the people around you. Doing this will not only help you to make them feel all the more real but will assist you by allowing others to be mindful of your goal through each step of the way.
  • Keep a Running List of Accomplishments: Without a doubt, it is easier to be held down by struggles instead of uplifted by small successes. In order to combat this, we encourage you to keep a running note, list, or post-it of each small goal or step of progress you’ve made. Looking back on each step you’ve taken will help you to keep moving up!

We hope that these strategies and steps will help you all to achieve and stick to your own resolutions! Good luck.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Read our new article to learn exactly how to go about starting a new position!

With any professional career comes the necessity to adapt to an ever-changing environment, both in regards to your surroundings and external factors. It’s is crucial to be aware of some of the most common changes that you will encounter, as your reaction may very well set you apart from the rest of your coworkers. Keep reading to find out about some of the most frequently occurring changes within firms that will affect you and your responsibilities.

  • New Boss: It is likely that, at some point, you will be faced with a new supervisor or direct report. Regardless of who this person is, it is highly important to conduct an analysis of their behavior, personality, and attributes right away. By doing so, you will be able to compare yourself and identify similarities and weaknesses. Playing on those similarities and complementary qualities will aid you in creating a healthy, strong relationship right away!
  • Promotion: We hope that each of you will be able to experience the excitement that comes with being promoted at some point in your career! Upon achieving this goal, make sure to quickly assess your new responsibilities so that you can stay ahead of the game. It is also crucial to use this time to identify changes in regards to who you will be working with. Begin creating those new relationships as soon as possible. You may even benefit from conducting a job shadow or meeting with the person who previously held the position beforehand.
  • Culture Shift: If the company you are working for is reconstructing their culture or atmosphere, it is worthwhile for you to conduct a reflection of how your preferred methods match up with the new environment. While it is easy to feel adverse to change and try to avoid it, we highly encourage you not to do so! If you have questions about changes, reach out to managers, supervisors, or even coworkers. You are a key component of your firm and deserve to be included in any organizational shifts.
  • Physical Relocating: This change may come in two forms: your own position relocating, or the entire company moving to a new location or building. Be aware of this and try to gauge the chance of this happening during your interview process to make sure that you are not faced with any unforeseen surprises. 
  • Layoffs or Downsizing: An inevitable fear of any professional is the chance of their organization initiating layoffs or being forced to downsize. Always be conscious of warning signs, pay attention to the company’s overall performance, forecasts, and strategic plans. If the firm seems to be losing revenue or decreasing sales, this may be an indicator to start searching for a new position. However, if you are ever faced with a layoff or are a victim of downsizing, know that you are among millions of others and you will get back on your feet!
  • Accquisitions: The company you are employed by may eventually be acquired by another, or may acquire another one. Either way, with these changes comes the chance of combining similar departments, creating new workforce teams, and relocating. Opportunities like these can also be foreseen by conducting research consistently and staying in-the-know about your company’s plans.

These are just some of several changes at work that could affect your day-to-day role, responsibilities, or obligations. Make sure to be aware of various environments that will encourage different types of changes. Always make sure to keep an open mind, as some of the most daunting changes conjure the greatest results!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Learn how to suggest a change at work through our recent article!

Taking things personally at work comes with several challenges. Whether this hinders your ability to move on to new projects, get along with coworkers, or interact with your boss, emotional investment may come with a price. We’re here to teach you to avoid takings things personally today!

  • Know Your Value: First things first, always understand your self-worth! Take time to appreciate yourself, your value, and your time.
  • Apply the 24 Hour Rule: If you find yourself becoming extra heated within your work environment, make sure to apply the “24-hour” rule before reacting to the situation. Doing so will allow you to calm down and often avoid altercations that aren’t worth it in the long run.
  • Take Time to Reflect: An easy way to evaluate your emotional investment is by taking time to reflect on your circumstance. Is your anger or irritation truly worthwhile? Are you fighting a one-sided battle? Doing so may allow you to take a necessary step back to avoid taking something too personally.
  • Evaluate Your Performance: It is easy to take promotions or rewards of others personally as it relates to your own performance. However, how do you measure up to others as an employee? This may be a perfect time to evaluate your performance and compare your work to others.
  • Be Honest and Expect Honesty: Although you may feel like telling a white lie or protecting the truth will avoid hurting others feelings, in the end, this is never the correct approach. Forming a culture based on honesty and openness will elevate a healthy personal involvement within your work environment.
  • Find an Outlet: If you’re someone who becomes emotionally attached to things easily, find an outlet to release your stress with. Whether this is working out, finding a new hobby, painting, or any activity, make sure to have a resource to blow off steam.
  • Set a Boundary: There is no reason to devote dozens of extra hours into a project just because of your emotional investment in its success. Set clear boundaries to create a healthy work-life balance and avoid over-commitment. Boundaries may include putting your work phone away after hours, a limit on how many times you check your email every day, or a limit on how long you allow yourself to stay at the office on any given night.
  • Focus on a Solution: Do not focus too much of your time on the problem at hand. Instead, re-focus your efforts towards finding a solution and moving on. If you become stuck on a problem, it is likely that no progress will be made. Remember, time goes on and new responsibilities will arise! One project will not determine your career.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Looking for more? Read our article to learn how to set boundaries at work! 

We know the uncomfortable feeling that comes with initiating change, especially if you are new to your position or company! However, we have some tips in store for you that will help you to do so in the most graceful way possible, ultimately allowing you to achieve your ideal results. Learn more about them here…

  • Adopt a “You-View”: Remember, you are the salesman and your own greatest cheerleader, so you must be able to convince others to think the same way as you have. There’s no better way to do so than by clearly outlining the benefits for others that your change initiates. By adopting a “you view” and shaping the premise of your argument around the positive components to others, you are much more likely to convince people of your ideas.
  • Be Creative: Before presenting an idea to a co-worker, team, or boss, make sure to be able to visualize the idea and convey it in several different ways so as to be confident in reaching your audience. Whether this is through email, phone call, slide deck, or another channel, be creative and flexible in how you present information!
  • Know that it’s Not Personal: It is easy to take offense to those who may not agree with your own idea, but it is crucial that you remember, in business nothing is personal! Negative feedback is not a reflection on you as a person. 
  • Be Patient: It is vital to be conscious of your own level of patience. It is unlikely that your change will sell to the whole team or become implemented overnight, so remember to wait out the outcome instead of becoming anxious. Good things come to those who wait!
  • Maintain a Positive Attitude and Tone: No matter how many people may get you down, always maintain a positive presence. Not only will this showcase your confidence, but will convince others to become more positive as well.
  • Encourage Feedback: The chance that every aspect of your idea will go over well with your department is slim to none. So, be open and encouraging of feedback from coworkers, mentors, or supervisors! A critique does not mean that your idea will not pass but is instead a way to make it all the more strong.
  • Suggest Compromise: Especially during team or group projects and presentations, it is extremely valuable to exhibit an attitude built on a willingness to compromise. This will allow other people in your group to feel more valued and ultimately become more willing to accept your change.
  • Expect Resistance: There is no greater way to prepare for an idea presentation that by expecting people to react negatively to change. Many people become stuck in their own routines, and the thought of changing what is easy seems unattractive. However, attitudes, like ideas, are subject to change! Remember this as you continue to persuade those around you.
  • Use Inclusive Language: Be aware of the way you critique current environments or conditions as you suggest change. Instead of using terms such as, “This sucks,” “This doesn’t work at all,” “This always goes horribly,” try using more positive language like, “I enjoy this aspect of ____, but believing changing ___ could benefit,” “I believe that together we can achieve higher success by altering ___.” Initial tone and language are a large determiner in the response you will receive!

Remembering these strategies will allow you to suggest and conduct change with confidence and grace!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Looking for more? Learn how to obtain and maintain attention at work here!

There are clear pros and cons to accepting temporary positions. Today, we’re here to inform you about the most important benefits to help guide your decision if this is the correct move for you. Keep reading to find them out here!

  • Mental Boost: If you’ve been out of a job for a while, we can sympathize with the consequential effects on your self-esteem. Being able to return to work, even if only temporarily, is guaranteed to revamp your self-purpose and give you something to do each day. This doesn’t mean you can’t keep searching for full-time positions on the side, but it will keep you occupied in the meantime.
  • Try Something New: In many instances, temporary positions may not align with the career path you’ve followed up until that given point. However, immersing yourself in a new environment with different responsibilities may help you identify other interests and pursuits.
  • Chance of Permanent Commitment: Remember, temporary positions do have the ability to become permanent! The time frame by itself should not be the sole reason for declining an opportunity, as you never know when a few months could turn into years.
  • Networking Perks: Building your contact list is a fantastic benefit of working for an organization for a temporary period. Down the line, this may be a company you pursue a full-time position with, and utilizing past experience and relationships you’ve developed will help you get a foot-in-the-door and extra advantage against other candidates.
  • Source of Income: Bottom line, this position will provide you with some sort of salary, where not having a job would not provide one at all. Any money is helpful money!
  • Resume: Working in a temporary job will help you to avoid time gaps in your resume which will be up for discussion when interacting with future hiring managers or recruiters. If you are able to explain your temporary position and transition between jobs, a recruiter will likely recognize your commitment to maintaining employment.
  • Sample New Industries: In relation to the ability a temporary position may provide in trying new subindustries within your field, this may also offer you an opportunity to sample out a completely different industry! Not only will you build your network in a completely different field, but you may become introduced to a new skill and set of responsibilities that you find more engaging than the ones you’ve held in the past.

In reading these pros, we hope you are able to understand the importance of keeping an open mind when offered a temporary opportunity. While this may not be the right decision for you at one point in time, there may very likely be a time in your career where this is the right step forward. If you have any additional questions about this type of work, send an email over to [email protected]!

Searching for a new position? Read through our open jobs list!

If you’re looking to learn about the exact way to effectively negotiate job offers read our article here!

At Esquire Recruiting LLC, we believe that the giving season never has to end! We feel extremely blessed and encouraged to express our gratitude in as many ways as we can, always remembering to give to those who can’t. If you’re looking for some easy ways to show your appreciation for your blessings keep reading to learn about our favorites here!

How Esquire Expresses Gratitude:

    1. Remind Someone That You Care! There’s no greater way to show gratitude by telling someone, in person, that you appreciate all that they do for you. In the midst of the digital age, it’s easy to thank people through emails, text, or even phone calls, but one of our most valued ways to express gratitude is in person.
    2. Suprise a Coworker with Coffee: It is far too often that we forget the importance of those that surround us each day. And where do we spend most of our time? That’s right! Work. Make a coworker’s day by simply surprising them with a cup of coffee.
      • Extra Ideas: Muffin, small breakfast, hot chocolate, tea, or any pick-me-up!
    3. Instead of Spring Clean… Fall Clean! As Midwesterners, we know the severity that comes with the coldest holiday months. Take a day to clean through your closet, and donate anything you haven’t worn in the past year! Whether this means donating to a local charity or passing out a jacket to someone on the street, your impact could change and even save a life.
    4. Pay for the Person Behind You: The next time you find yourself at a coffee or sandwich shop, double your bill for the person behind. With such a surprise and act of kindness, you are guaranteed to make that person’s day!
    5. Clear Your Schedule for Someone Special: This may be a parent, spouse, child, close friend, or even a mentor. Regardless of the relationship, find a day to completely clear your schedule on their behalf. Bring them their favorite food, dessert, movie, plan a fun night in or out, or even take them to a favorite spot in town. Whatever it may be, there is no better way to express gratitude than to show someone that they’re your priority.
    6. Volunteer: There is an endless number of ways to volunteer no matter where you live or who you are. Find a local food pantry, toy-wrapping event, charity, or any other volunteer opportunity that piques your interest. In the next month, find a day or afternoon worth of time to spend giving back to those in need.
    7. Leave an Extra Tip: Especially in places where the bill doesn’t run to high, leave a tip higher than you regularly would! We can guarantee you that your extra note of gratitude will go a very long way. 
    8. Give Someone an Extra Compliment: About their work, their personality, their appearance, or anything you admire!
    9. Schedule a Day for You! Self-indulge.
    10. Buy Someone Flowers or Chocolates

Searching for a new position? Read through our open jobs list!

One of the greatest ways to show gratitude for yourself… learn how to stay well-rounded while working!

We hope that after reading last Monday’s article you feel prepared for a career fair. Today, we’ll help you learn about what to do when you’re at the fair and how to take the greatest advantage of all the resources these events offer!

    • Open Mind: You will likely have already generated a list of potential employers you are interested in speaking with. However, we encourage you to maintain an open mind! You never know which company may surprise you or offer a different position than what you’ve expected. If you see a company that piques your interest, head over!
    • Solidify Your Elevator Pitch: Only once your elevator pitch is perfected should you enter the fair and speak with employers. Many universities even provide their students with a room in the fair where advisors are waiting to help! Stop in and practice your pitch with a staff member. 

 

  • Memorize a Few Back-Up Questions: While you probably won’t run into an awkward silence, prepare a few backup questions to ask employers if the conversation is running short.
    • Example Questions:
      • How did you become interested in X Company?
      • How did you find out about X Company?
      • What is your favorite part about working for X Company?
      • What does X Company do that makes them stand out in [the industry]?
  • Start Random: By “random,” we are referring to a relatively lower stakes company which you may not be as interested in. Speaking with these organizations will help you calm your nerves and get into your groove, without feeling the same intimidation that you may with one of your most desired companies.
    • Extra Note: For companies offering positions you are not yet eligible for: Still speak to them! Even though you may only be able to apply in future years, there is nothing wrong with getting your foot in the door as early as possible. This will almost guarantee you an advantage come the time you are able to apply!
  • Take Notes, Jot Names Down: Make sure to maintain eye contact, but also feel free to take notes, especially when you are provided specific names or contacts. It’s easy to feel like you’ll remember everything, but with all of the people you talk to, it’s likely you may forget an email here and there. Remember, you brought your padfolio for a reason, use it!
  • Don’t Over-Invest: Make sure to understand that change may occur, and certain positions that appeared offered may no longer be. In the same way we hope you keep an open mind, we encourage flexibility during the fair so as to not become upset upon unforeseen circumstances.
  • Accept a Give-Away If Offered: Most employees come with some type of gift. Whether this is a gadget with the company logo imprinted on it, a piece of candy or food, or a sample of one of their products, make sure to accept with excitement when offered. This is a great way for you to show extra interest in their company and products.
  • Manners: Be extra conscious of the way you are representing yourself and your school! Maintain a positive energy, make eye contact, smile, shake hands, wait politely, stand up straight, don’t interrupt, and always thank the employer for their time. One of the easiest ways to nail a first impression is by being likable!
    • Extra Note: If you are provided a business card, name, or email, send a thank you follow-up as soon as possible. This will not only help you exhibit gratitude but is a great way to help remind the employer of who you are.

With all of these tips… you are absolutely ready to rock your career fair and land a new position!

Missed last weeks blog? Learn how to prepare for the career fair here!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

We know the term “career fair” can seem overwhelming or daunting. Picturing an arena filled with hundreds of employers can definitely seem stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! Read here to learn exactly how you should prepare in order to secure your greatest success upon arriving at your career fair. Even better, this article is being written by someone who has first-hand knowledge after attending one this fall!

Before the Career Fair Preparation:

  • Do Your Research: If you take one thing away from this post, we hope it is that you absolutely must conduct research on the attending companies beforehand. Not only will this help you navigate the fair and determine which employers you hope to speak to, but it will allow you to stand out. Chances are, each employer speaks to hundreds of students at each fair, so helping them decrease the need to give you their company overview will definitely increase your chance of them enjoying your conversation.
    • Extra Note: To aid your research, many universities provide online platforms that outline exactly which companies are attending and what positions they are offering (i.e. certain internships, full-time positions, etc.). Be aware and proactive in using your resources!
  • Practice Your Elevator Pitch: Even if you feel that you will be able to produce an elevator pitch on the spot, we encourage you not to do so. With career fairs come natural nerves, and nerves may lead to filler words, stuttering, stammering, and unprofessionalism when not practiced in advance. Keep your elevator pitch short and sweet, but definitely to the point! Include your year in school, major, potential interests, and if there is time, a short reason as to why you were drawn to the company you are speaking with.
  • Gather Your Padfolio: We encourage you to purchase some kind of padfolio if you do not own one already, as this will decrease the materials you are carrying and helps you appear more professional. Within the padfolio, you should print several copies of your resume to hand out to any interested employers. This useful accessory with help you combine a notebook and resume folder all in one! Remember to also bring pens.
  • Bring Anything Else You May Need: Whether this is a water bottle, chapstick, snack, perfume, deodorant, or any small item that will help you stay refreshed, bring it. It is completely acceptable to be carrying a small handbag with personal items. However, steer clear of bringing large backpacks!
  • Plan an Interview Style Outfit: While career fairs are undoubtedly lower stakes than are professional interviews, we hope that your physical appearance will still treat it as such. Remember that employers prepare in the same way you have, and will likely be standing for around 8 hours to talk to each of you. For that reason, showcase your dedication and care for presentation by dressing in business casual or professional clothing.
  • Arrive Early: If you are able, arrive at the career fair as early as possible! By being one of the first people to greet your prospective employers, you will be taking advantage of high energy and eagerness from both ends.
  • Walk the Premises: To gauge your environment and gain a general understanding of the career fair layout, we encourage you to walk around the arena before talking to a specific employer. This will increase your level of comfort and ultimately, confidence.

Now that you’re prepared… stay tuned for next Monday’s article…. how to achieve the greatest success during the career fair!

Searching for a new position? Read through our open jobs list!

Check out our article to learn how to nail your first impression!

There are ways of declining job offers that will ultimately allow you to maintain positive relations with any company. While doing so may feel awkward, we’re here to teach you the most polite, respectful, and effective ways to decline your offer here!

Before Declining:

Before you make the permanent decision of declining an offer, truly take time to assess the opportunity you’re turning down. Whether this means weighing the pros and cons of a new salary, relocation, facility, benefits package, or anything else your new job entails, make sure to compare this with the aspects of the position you currently hold. Also, make sure to self-assess your current level of satisfaction. If you begin to doubt the meaningfulness of your work, it may be time to accept a new offer, as nerve-racking as it may be!

During Declining:

  • Be Timely: Remember, you are almost always one of several candidates being interviewed for a position. That means that if you’re declining your offer, the company will likely soon reach out to the next best candidate below you.  For that reason, once you’ve made your decision, don’t wait around! Let the company know as soon as possible so that they can take the next steps.
  • Tone: Make sure to maintain a respectful and grateful tone when speaking with the hiring manager, recruiter, etc. Always be proactive about thanking whoever you are speaking to, and expressing your gratitude for the opportunity. This is also a great way to maintain positive relations with the hiring staff of the organization.
  • Concision and Clarity: In your letter, call, meeting, or email of rejection, make sure to cut straight to the point. After all, you are declining the offer. There’s no reason to elongate the message and confuse the person you are speaking to. While it may feel kinder to provide an extensive list of reasons as to why you’ve decided to decline, you’re better off explaining your decision right away.
    • Extra Note: While we advise you not to prepare a list of reasons as to why you’re declining, do be sure to provide at least one substantial reason that has led you to your decision (i.e.: accepting another position, not ready to relocate, deciding to stay with your company, etc.)!
  • Next Steps… Although your decline may appear and very well be the end of your journey with the firm, if you feel as though you’ve established a strong relationship with an employee of the company, consider offering to stay in touch at the end of your message.
  • Calling vs. Emailing: While emailing is an acceptable form of rejection, we encourage you to take the time to initiate a phone call with the employer. There are several benefits to doing so, the greatest one being your ability to convey through tone genuine gratitude and thanks for the opportunity. This also showcases a higher level of care and commitment to continuing a positive relationship with the company.

With these steps, we hope that you are able to gracefully decline your offer, and potentially begin pursuing something new! If you’re searching for a new position, read through our open jobs list!

Not quite ready to decline an offer? Read our article to learn how to negotiate an offer the right way!

We’ve all been there. It’s the night before the first day of your new job…. the nerves are settling in at rapid speed, and it’s easy to begin feeling anxious. However, don’t fear! We’re here to prepare you for that first day. Read about our key tips here…

Night and Week Before:

  • Practice Transportation if Necessary: If your new position requires travel to an unfamiliar area or city, we recommend practicing your route to work beforehand. That way, you won’t run into any commute-related surprises on your first day!
  • Elevator Pitch: Especially if you’re working for a new company, it is almost guaranteed that you will be meeting a bunch of new people on your first day. Prepare a casual “elevator pitch” to share with those you meet, think of it as a brief introduction of why you’re there, what you’re doing, and who you are!
  • Relaxation: Your next day is nearly guaranteed to be jam-packed, so remember to allow for some relaxation the night before! Whether this means a movie night, meditation, bath, face mask, hearty meal, or even a glass of wine, allow for some self-indulgence.
  • Plan out an Outfit: The last thing your morning needs is a scramble of what to wear. Layout any clothing, shoes, or accessories (even if it’s a briefcase) that you plan to wear the next day. This will decrease the time it takes you to get ready the next morning and will also diminish any anxiousness.
  • Rest! Any preparation for the company that you have done should be completed by this time. Go to bed at a reasonable hour so that you are fully charged for the next day.
  • Set Alarms! Set two! Set three! Set four! Anything you need to do to completely ensure that you will wake up at the exact time you have set.

Morning of:

  • Timeliness: First day means… first impressions! There is no easier way to increase your first impression in a positive way than showcasing your preparation by arriving early. Yes, this means getting out of bed earlier than usual, and leaving your home early too! As we’ve said in the past, if you’re on time, you’re late. Trust us, it’ll pay off.
  • Take a Lay of the Land: Once you are settled into your desk or office, take a few moments throughout the day to gain a “lay of the land.” How is the building set up, how are positions segregated, how do employees seem to interact with each other and with management? Understanding the social atmosphere of your company will aid you in creating new relationships.
  • Be Extra Aware of Attitude and Tone: Walk in with a smile! All of your hard work has paid off and you are finally starting your new job. Look excited, engaged, motivated, and ready to become emerged in your new role. Also, make sure you are using a tone that showcases excitement.
  • Be Friendly! We encourage you to make the first move and initiate conversation with those around you. Say “Hi,” ask how people’s day is, and make an effort to meet the people you will be working with. If it helps, plan out some common questions to ask others (conversation starters) beforehand. Everyone loves to feel valued!
  • Active Listening: On your first day, remember that you are a sponge! Take in any information offered to you by your supervisor, hiring manager, or co-workers. As a newbie, it will help you immensely to gain any intellect that you can (be cautious of company-specific acronyms).
  • Accept Lunch: More times than not, lunch will be offered to you on your first day, or there will be a cafeteria to purchase food in. Take advantage of this time to socialize with new coworkers and become immersed in your new setting! Packing snacks are okay, but try to avoid preparing an entire meal.

With these 12 steps… we guarantee that you will be ready and on track to achieve a highly successful first day!

However, if you’re still looking for that new position… check out our open jobs list!

Need some more help? Read our article to learn how to rock your first impression!

Group interviews are much different than individual ones for many reasons. There are 2 types: either you will be interviewed by multiple people or multiple people will be interviewed by a few individuals. It is super important to find a balance of participation that will allow you to stand out without making it seem like you are trying to overpower other people! Find out about our strategies here for candidate group interviews.

  • Scan the Room: Remember, in the same way that group interviews allow hiring managers to gauge a large pool of candidates, this is also a great time for you to scan the room to see other people you may be working with. Do other candidates seem to have similar or complementary personalities to you? How does the group interact? Could you see yourself working beside these people?
  • Be Heard, not Overheard: There is a notable line between effective participation and simply speaking to have your voice heard. We can guarantee that the interviewer in the room is actively noting which candidates are participating and to what extent. Measure yourself up against others. Speak if you have something valuable to input, but be cautious of too much participation!
  • Respect: The main component of a group interview is respecting others. This means being extremely aware of interruptions and allowing each candidate in the group to make their entire point. However, this also means acknowledging others! (Keep reading)
  • Praise Others: A fantastic, easy way to showcase your strength as a team player, and as someone who would fit in well in any group setting, is to acknowledge other candidate’s points. This is as simple as saying, “I agree with what __ is saying,” “I believe that ___ makes a great point that” “Echoing ___, I think,” “What ___ made me realize is that…” This shows that you are listening to others, appreciating everyone’s perspectives, and are an active listener. 
  • Be You! If you don’t have a particular opinion about a question or are unclear about the answer, don’t feel pressured to participate just because other people have! Stay true to who you are, your beliefs, and your perspectives. Trying to be someone you are not will come across as ingenuine to the interviewer.
    • Extra Tip: Don’t make anything up just to sound educated! The interviewer does not expect every person in the group to be able to answer every question.
  • Make Conversation Where Appropriate: If you find yourself standing outside the interview room for a solid amount of time, make conversation through small talk with those around you! It is likely that you will be noticed and praised for your social skills.
  • Thank the Interviewer: It’s easy to overlook this component of a group interview, but if you are given the opportunity, make sure to thank the person/people who led the interview!

Potential Question to Expect:

  • What interests you about this position?
  • What interests you about this company?
  • How would others describe you?
  • What does our company do?
  • How does our company stand out from the rest?
  • What do you know about the industry/career/position?
  • Behavioral/situational type questions.
  • Always remember to do your research beforehand!

If you have any questions reach out to any of our team members at Esquire Recruiting LLC!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Interest in other interview types? Learn about the difference between phone and in-person interviews here!

There are several steps taken on both ends once a job offer is accepted. So, what do you need to know before starting a new position? Find out the most important actions to expect here!

  • New Hire Paperwork: We can nearly guarantee that in every single company you will ever work for, you will be required to complete company paperwork. This may be required to complete in-person, online through email, or through an electronic document. 
  • Pre-employment Screening: In order for your employer to verify that your claims are true, your history is intact, and your criminal record is clean, you should expect to receive a request for background, “pre-employment” screening. Background checks help your employer to protect its organization, exemplify due diligence, and ensure confirmation of your history. Some screenings to expect include:
    • Social Security Verifications, Tracings
    • Criminal Record Checks (State or County-wide)
    • Public Records Screening
    • Drug Testing
  • Education Verification: For students coming out of college, recent graduates, or young adults, it is common that you may be asked to provide confirmation of your education before starting in a new role. Verification of this sort may come by transcripts, phone calls to the University, GPA’s, graduation date or year, etc.
  • Employment Verification: Expect to have your previous employers contacted! There are several reasons why an employer would hope to verify your past employment before starting you in their company. They may be confirming or following up on reference letters, the reason for leaving, or eligibility for hire.
    • Extra Tip: Always expect for your reference letters to be checked and contacted! Although they may not be in all cases, it is always better safe than sorry. Maintain certainty that the letter you offer to a future employer will present you as a qualified, valuable employee. This is another reason why it is always important to maintain good relations with past employers!
  • Military Service: If you have previously served, it is likely that before starting, your military records will be verified. This often relates to certain benefits and services provided to those eligible.
  • W2 Form Submission: An additional document you should expect to submit before beginning employment is a W2 form – a form which will outline your compensation. This form is extremely important as it impacts your taxes, shows your earnings, and is required to be sent to you from your employer come January. Fill this out and confirm the information with care, especially check for employer errors and correct information (spelling of name, address, etc.)!

Pre-employment practices vary between companies, but this general outline of actions should have you prepared to begin any position! Remember, if you ever have questions, reach out to the hiring manager, staff recruiter, or other provided contact. They are there to help you, and you’ve already made it past the hard part!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Thinking about accepting an offer? Read our article to learn the best negotiating techniques!

As recruiters, we know how important retaining clients is to the success of our organization! We also know, client retention fuels almost all industries. So, how should you go about retaining clients for the long run? Learn about our key strategies here!

  • Show Care: The main reason any client terminates their relationship with a company is due to lack of care form the company’s end. Always be conscious of the care you are showing to your clients! Whether this is a bi-monthly email, phone-call, or any other form of communication, check up on your clients! Even if you’ve had a client for years, they should still be treated as new.
    • Extra Gestures: Going above and beyond every once and a while for a client will strongly show your dedication to their needs, and willingness to put them above your own! This may entail meeting for coffee instead of in the office, treating them to lunch, or achieving a goal before a deadline.
  • Achieve Personal Connection: Get to know your clients on a personal level, instead of a professional. This will help you implement events, solutions, and connections that cater to their needs instead of resorting to treating all clients the same way. And trust us, they’ll notice. For example, if you know that one of your clients a huge sports fan and is from Chicago, set up your next event at a Cubs, Bulls, or Blackhawks game to showcase your memory of their interests.
  • Provide Feedback Opportunities: One of the easiest ways to collect a gauge of customer satisfaction is by implementing feedback opportunities. Whether this is through an administered email, a “reviews” section on a social media platform, or a survey sent by snail mail, any way to encourage your client to provide feedback will help in retaining them! Show that you are willing to consider different perspectives and change some aspects of your business strategy in order to ensure satisfaction.
  • Create a Mutual Agreement: Before you engage in business with any client, set a list of objectives to be reached on each end, as well as expectations. This may include communication frequency and timeliness, communication mediums, deadlines, due dates, or any other set in stone goal that can be established on paper. This way you will avoid encountering conflict stemming from a lack of planning!
  • Don’t Make Promises! It is easy to get caught up in client pressure and agree to meet responsibilities that in hindsight may be unachievable. Remember, success requires satisfaction on the company side as well as the client, so don’t agree or make promises to obligations that you will not be able to meet.
  • Organize Each Client: Clients should not be grouped together in documents or folders. Cluttering clients together gives way to easy miscommunication and lack or organization. If you are put on a surprise call with a client and they reference a past project, you should be able to access it quickly and easily to deliver results and communicate as quickly as possible.

If you don’t think you’re doing enough to achieve effective retention, read through Super Office’s article to find out “5 Unique Ways to Increase Customer Retention (and Increase Profits!)”.

Searching for a new position? Read through our open jobs list!

Check out our article to learn how to achieve success through confidence!

In the same way that almost any industry adapts to technological advances, work trips and traveling requirements change as well! With the new components and benefits to this aspect of your career, it’s important to know how to do it right! Learn how to make the most of your “vacation” here…

  • Be Familiar with Company Policy: Especially if you are applying for a position that requires frequent travel, it is important to look into company policy recovering reimbursement for correlated expenses. Does the organization provide hotel rooms, cars during travel, flight expenses (including baggage), or anything else travel-related? Do your homework so that you never have to find yourself stuff covering expenses you didn’t intend to encounter!
  • Be Proactive: It is likely that you will be required to book your own flight and plan out what you need to successfully make it to your destination. Don’t wait until last minute! The earlier you book, the greater chance you have to choose your seat, confirm your travel itinerary, and get ready for your trip.
    • Hotel: In relation to early flight advantages, hotels will be more accessible if planned ahead as well! Look into hotels and their reviews in advance so that you can ensure your most comfortable stay possible and book a desirable room.
  • Consider TSA Pre-check: How frequently do you find yourself traveling for work (as well as for pleasure)? If you find yourself leaving home fairly often, it is highly valuable to look into becoming certified for TSA pre-check. This will decrease the guaranteed irritation produced by waiting in security lines for hours on end, and will also minimize your time spent at the airport!
    • Extra Tip: Almost always try to fit everything onto a carry on for minimal day trips! The less checked belongings, the lower the chance of having a bag lost containing clothing, toiletries, or company related materials you may need.
  • Plan Ahead! We’ve all been there. Ready and waiting at the airport just to find out that our flight has been canceled at the last minute. Being cognizant of this unfortunate potential will help you be prepared for the worst…bring snacks, any work materials you could get a head start on, a charger for your laptop or cell phone, and anything to help you pass the time and get on the soonest flight.
  • Impressing Clients: If part of your travel obligation requires entertaining and impressing a client, look into restaurants and activities in the area! After all, you will likely enjoy the evening as much as your client. Doing some quick research or scanning through a reservation application will help you secure the best meal and evening possible!
  • Take Account of Extra Time: If you are afforded the opportunity for some extra hours to relax or explore, research the city you are visiting in advance! Plan out some potential excursions, food stops, or anything to help you enjoy some time to yourself and to take advantage of your mini vacation!

Companies are becoming more and more generous about the reimbursements they provide employees regarding travel expenses. For this reason, traveling for work is becoming more and more enjoyable! Following these tips will help you make the most out of any work traveling experience.

Searching for a new position? Read through our open jobs list!

Read our article to learn all about benefits company’s offer and evaluate your own!

You’ve received the call and set up a time for your upcoming phone interview. Now what? There are undoubtedly different mechanisms used to prepare for these type of interviews. As recruiters who prepare our candidates for these types of interviews on a daily basis, we’re here to point out the strategies we find most beneficial for you!

  • Always, always be ready and available! Remember, you do not have the benefit of face-to-face interaction. For that reason, if you are unprepared come the time for your interview, it is unlikely that you will be able to justify this inconvenience in your interviewer’s time. Write your scheduled time down on post-its, set reminders, and allow yourself at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time to wait for the call.
  • Set up Your Environment: Eliminate all potential background noise, whether this is the footsteps of others walking around you, keyboard clicks (take notes on paper!), children, or any other distraction that your interviewer will be able to hear through the phone. This will help you to understand the questions and maintain focus, while also asserting the engagement of your interviewer.
  • Your Greatest Advantage, Note-taking! Arguably the greatest benefit of a phone interview is the fact that your interviewer will not be able to see your face or actions. Take advantage of this opportunity! You should, at the very least, have a sheet of potential questions prepared, as well as a note sheet about company information, values, goals, job responsibilities, and anything else relative to your position. Your interviewer most likely expects that you have this on hand, and for that reason will expect you to be aware and prepared.
    • Extra Tip: This also includes having a copy of your resume on hand!
  • Let Them Lead the Way: A specific challenge regarding phone calls is the tendency to intervene, or begin answering a question out of eagerness. However, be sure to allow your interviewer to lead the conversations and finish their sentences before you begin speaking. If you are confident that they are ready for your answer, begin talking slowly and with extra enunciation.
  • Tone: Because you are not afforded the ability to convey enthusiasm and excitement through facial expressions and body language, it is vital that you elevate your tone of voice and showcase your passion through voice. You may even catch yourself smiling while speaking…that’s a good thing!
  • Practice Makes Perfect! We encourage you to conduct a “mock” phone interview with a friend, family member, or even through a voicemail or voice memo. This is a great way to evaluate your tone, use of “um,” “like,” or other filler words that cause you to sound nervous or shaky, and implement improvements before the real deal!
  • Remember…a phone interview should be treated the same way as one in-person. Thank your interviewer, prepare questions, introduce yourself and keep a running tab of your key information (strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, etc.), talk slowly and confidently, and make sure to ask for a moment if you need one!

The most important component of an interview is achieving a positive first impression! Following these strategies will also you to do so in no time.

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Looking for more? Read our article about selling yourself and first impressions!

Negotiating job offers is an action that employers have grown to nearly expect from their prospective candidates, and one that is not always discouraged. However, there are ways to do so respectfully, and mechanisms to increase your likelihood of success!

  • Remember: You Don’t Need to Disclose! We understand how uncomfortable it may feel to assert that you will not disclose your current salary, but doing so may very easily decrease the final salary you are offered. For instance, imagine you disclose your current pay at a rate thousands of dollars below what the company would have expected to compensate you – that ultimate consequence may impact your spending for years to come!
  • Wait for Confirmation of Salary Range: Make sure not to jump the gun in this situation, and wait to begin negotiating until you have received a solidified salary range from your employer.
  • Maintain Control of the Situation: With 3 easy steps, the Ladder’s Emilie Ares will teach you how to move on from this question in a way that will avoid the awkward atmosphere change – while helping you keep a dominant stance over your negotiation (watch here)!
  • Be Aware of Your Tone: The most enticing reason to offer competitive pay stems from how valuable you appear to your future employer. An enormous component of value is personality and delivery! For that reason, always maintain awareness of how you are initiating negotiating conversations.
    • Do: Sound respectful, aware, excited, willing to meet a compromise, open-minded, and politely assertive.
    • Don’t: Sound greedy, condescending, bossy, or entitled.
  • Prepare: Before you initiate a negotiation, you must prepare a mental list of reasons as to why you deserve a higher salary, how your qualifications support your opinion, and how potential experiences or offers have contributed to this decision (make sure not to compare to another company! ie: Well Xcompany is offering __, so I want…).
    • Extra Tip: Especially if you are negotiating other aspects of your job like work hours, explain specific reasons as to why other hours may not work for you.
  • Self-assess, Express Interest and Commitment: Before taking the steps to negotiate, assess yourself to truly evaluate whether you will accept a final offer at the company you are interviewing for. If so, make sure to express interest and commitment to the position! If it appears that you will not accept a higher offer and are not truly interested, your likelihood of achieving negotiation is far lower.
  • For more information… check out Harvard Business Review’s article on “15 Rules for Negotiating a Job Offer”.

We’ll end today with a cheesy note of encouragement… remember… If you believe it, you will achieve it! (So, believe in yourself and your worth!)

Searching for a new position? Scroll through our open jobs list!

Read through our article to learn exactly why you should not accept a counter offer!

It’s easy to quickly jot down an email and send it to a co-worker, boss, or even client. We know how busy the day can be, and taking a few extra moments to edit an email may seem wasteful. However, learning key strategies to avoid common mistakes made in emails will help you appear far more professional and increase your communication skills immediately!

Key Email Mistakes:

  • Subject Line: Your subject line must be clear and detailed! If you are writing an email to communicate a future date in which you will be absent at work, don’t: make the subject line “future date,” try something more along the lines of, “Upcoming Work Day Conflict (insert date)”. Doing so will allow your recipient to predict what your email will entail, and will increase their initial engagement.
  • Punctuation: It is super important to use proper punctuation. Finish sentences with periods, question marks, or exclamation points if necessary. Remember, an email is not a chance to take notes! It is your opportunity to communicate opinions and statements professionally, do so with punctuation as you would in a formal paper.
    • Question Marks: Avoid using too many question marks, it could appear aggressive or interrogative.
    • Exclamation Points: Be aware of the way your firm communicates. Do your bosses use exclamation points, or do communication methods seem more formal? Try to use exclamation points sparingly (no more than 1-2 per email).
  • Greetings: Awareness of the way you greet your recipient is another measure of setting up the tone. If you are writing a formal email, use “Dear”, however, less formal messages may start with “Hi,” “Hello,” “Greetings,” etc.
  • Closings: The closing is likely the last thought that will linger with your recipient. Be conscious of the way that you leave your impression. If you are seeking a specific solution, trying to persuade, or thanking someone, make sure to re-establish this thought in the last sentence or two. Almost always thank the person you are speaking to! This will help them feel valued.
    • Final Closing: Use an appropriate sign off to who you’re speaking to. Some proper closings include, “Best,” “Best regards,” “Kind regards”… several more included in thebalancecareers.com’s article!
  • Grammar: If this blog is making you nervous about your grammar awareness – don’t fear! Installing Grammarly will solve your grammar needs by checking for you. We highly recommend this installment, as it will point out common mistakes you may look over daily.
  • Concision: It’s just as easy to ramble as it is to create careless emails. Always be aware of the recipient, implementing a “you” view, that is, being aware of their time and busy schedules. Keep emails clear, concise, and to the point almost immediately. Read through emails for extra words, phrases, sentences, or pieces of information that could be condensed or combined.
    • Extra Note: Make an effort to almost always establish the key point of the email within the first few sentences or paragraph.
  • Extension of “You” View: Anyone reading your message should be able to take away a clear note of what you expect to be done after reading, and why your information will benefit them. Steer clear of too much “I” language, and identify specific aspects that will benefit the reader, and why they should care about what you have to say. This may be explained by simply stating, “doing so will benefit you because…”
  • Tone: Especially on days where you feel you may just explode, make sure to reread the emails you create to ensure that they convey the tone you intended! If you feel upset or disappointed in your firm, team, or coworker, try to circle back to the email you created a day or so later, before sending an aggressive message that will not help you accomplish your goal.
    • Tips: When encouraging change, try positive language (ie: “What if we…”). Also remember, when delivering negative news, begin with a positive note, so that your reader does not feel attacked.
  • Bolding, Bullet points, Formatting: We encourage bullet point lists or bolded words to draw attention to specific aspects of your message. However, make sure the formatting is easy to follow.

With these tips, you are sure to create productive, effective, professional emails! If you’re looking for some help or critique…feel free to test one out by sending one to me at [email protected]!

Searching for a new position? Practice your skills by sending a resume over for any of our open jobs!

Check out our article to learn about more common mistakes made…but on resumes!

 

In an industry of placing candidates in new positions on a daily basis, we understand the fears and anxieties provoked by interviews, and especially the aftermath of interacting with a new boss. Even if you are a veteran of your firm, it is still normal to experience nerves about your boss! However, we hope to calm you down by listing these key strategies to help you relieve your over-thinking habits.

Your Boss Probably Has a Boss Too!

In most settings, your direct supervisor will most likely have a boss of their own. Whether this is the CEO, District Manager, Marketing Head, or any other lead role, there is most likely someone being reported to above your report. Remember, your boss is likely feeling the same nerves that you do, and that their stress may be provoked from higher up positions, not from your sole actions. A small mistake you may write in an email, during a meeting, or through a conversation will rarely be detrimental to your boss’s day, if ever. Don’t overthink small mistakes, and if they are becoming a burden in your mind, set up a meeting and discuss your worries.

Understand Your Actions:

Be honest with yourself! If you’re feeling concerned about how your work is being evaluated, if you are performing well, or if you have in anyway disappointed your boss, it is likely that there may be an underlying concern. Are you distracted from an outside of work source? Are you maintaining a work-life balance? If you feel that your obligations are not aligning with your initial job description, or that you are not holding up your end, evaluate your recent performance. Make sure you are aware of your actions before you correlate them directly with your bosses behaviors; chance are you may be overanalyzing their comments or actions. 

Realize and Channel Sensitivity:

We know this is likely easier said than done… but we highly encourage you to practice differentiating between professional and personal criticism. Putting your greatest effort into a work project will easily generate an emotional tie to your product, however, understand that your manager’s criticism is looking out for your best interest as well as the organization’s! If you truly feel that you are being personally insulted, either initiate a discussion with your boss or talk to a coworker in HR about how to handle the relationship. From past experience, we can almost guarantee you that hurt feelings are a result of miscommunication, not intention!

Make Yourself an Asset:

There is no greater way to truly feel confident in your relationship with your boss than to be confident in your value within the firm. Is your work unique to you? Are you an asset to coworkers, supervisors, and the overall company? Becoming irreplaceable to your organization requires work and dedication, but comes with immense rewards! Make sure to always exude your strongest effort in completing projects, by deadlines, to the best of your abilities, arriving on time to every meeting and event, creating relationships with employees in various departments and across superiority levels, and offering new perspectives that challenge the “status quo.” By initiating these actions, you are sure to be a favorite among your company and a reliable employee.

Open Communication:

Finally, remember the importance of communication! Your boss does not exist to provoke fear, they are put in place to help you reach your greatest potential, stay on task, and increase the success of your company. If you feel uneasy about a situation, conversation, or prior event, set up a meeting to discuss your concerns with your boss. As we’ve said in the past, bottling up emotions will never do any good!

At the end of the day… your boss is just a human… like you!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!

Looking to learn how to be an invaluable asset at work? Read our recent blog!

It may be enticing to reconsider your decision to leave a company if you are provided a counter offer. However, there are many reasons why you should not accept one! Find them out here…

  • Your Mind is Made Up: This important note ties into our firm belief that a decision to resign should be taken with great certainty. If you are absolutely sure in your desire to pursue a new path, then you are ready to confront your employer and have a resignation discussion. However, if your mind is still torn between staying and leaving, consider re-evaluating! Your boss will most likely try to convince you to stay, so you must be prepared to be respectfully assertive.
  • You Will Likely be Viewed Differently: If you are to accept a counter offer, your bosses perspective on you as an employee will most likely be permanently compromised. They will now understand that you are, in some way, unhappy in your position, are likely searching for alternative opportunities, and not planning on staying for the long run.
    • Domino Effect: With this new opinion in mind, it is unlikely that your boss will choose to award you when the next promotion comes around. Even worse, if your firm must downsize in the future, you may become an initial target to be laid off. This does not mean that your boss does not like you as a person, they just know that your commitment is now in question.
  • Previous Pay: If your firm is willing to pay you more or offer greater benefits because you are considering leaving, why weren’t they willing to do so beforehand? Showing that you are ready to move on should not be the turning point in a promotion.
  • Counter Offer Will Not Change Your Perspective: It’s easy to allow your mind to be clouded by price tags. Asses the reason you initially decided to leave. If your rationale regarded company culture, co-workers, bosses, structure, hours, projects, opportunities, or obligations, a higher salary will not solve your displeasure. Being content in an alternative work environment will allow you to achieve success with higher motivation, ultimately allowing you to gain a higher salary elsewhere, where your happiness is far more attainable.
  • This is Likely Their Temporary Solution: Once you accept a counter offer, your employer will almost always immediately begin searching for your replacement, as you have solidified your interest in leaving the organization. You are now viewed as a more of a liability, instead of a loyal employee. Don’t put yourself in this risky position!
  • Ruined Relations with New Company: When your new employer expects you to commit to the new position and is excited for you to join their corporation, it will appear as a large slap in the face if you spontaneously decline your offer. If you decide to pursue the same company in the future, you will not be able to obtain the same success, as your loyalty will once again be questioned.

A combination of these 6 reasons why you should NOT accept a counter offer will hopefully convince you that trusting your initial gut and pursuing a new opportunity is the best decision for your future.

If you’re searching for a new position, check out our open jobs list!

Debating a job switch? Read our article to understand how to know when to change positions!