With a record number of 33 million Americans leaving their jobs since spring 2021, more employees are taking the steps to put themselves first. Many are wondering how to write a resignation letter and looking for a resignation letter template.

Before we dive into resignation letter templates, it is important to understand this resignation trend, also called the Great Resignation. Some employees are quitting in hopes of getting better pay while others are seeking better treatment from their employers. Not only this but working in person during the pandemic is less favorable for some. In fact, lower-wage workers — which are often younger demographics — have the highest rate of quitting.

Other names for the Great Resignation include the “Great Reshuffle” or the “Great Renegotiation,” since employees aren’t quitting the workforce entirely, but finding new jobs instead.

The cause of the Great Resignation is difficult to pinpoint, but some attribute this cultural change to a lower unemployment rate and a high number of job openings. The industries that were hit hardest by COVID-19 were foodservice and hospitality, so those fields have the largest number of open positions.

Are you looking to changes jobs or careers?

If you’re looking for remote work or work-life balance, it’s advised to write a resignation letter to notify your boss of your final day. This can ultimately help you avoid burning brides as you change from one job to another. Below, we created a step-by-step guide on how to write the perfect resignation letter.

How to Write a Resignation Letter – 5 Parts

The five things you should include in your letter are a greeting, a statement of resignation, your last day of work, your signature and contact information.

We’ve included a resignation letter template below that demonstrates how to structure your letter.

[Date]

[Manager name]

[Company name]

[Address]

Dear [Manager name],

Please accept this letter as my resignation from [company name]. My last day will be [date].

I want to thank you for the opportunity to work in this position and I will take everything I learned and use it throughout my career. I will be sure to provide the team support until my final day. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to smooth this transition.

I wish [company name] the absolute best and hope to keep in touch.

Sincerely,

[Your signature]

[Printed name]

[Contact information]

 

Things to Keep in Mind as you Personalize the Resignation Letter Template

Now that we covered what you should include in your letter of resignation, there is certain information to steer clear of.

Feel free to give your employer more information as to why you are resigning like receiving an offer from another company.

However, you might be met with a counteroffer in hopes that you will stay in your current job. It’s important to take into consideration your current financial situation with your employer if you do decide to stay at your job, or if you’d rather move on.

Your letter of resignation is not the time to air out your grievances about the job or the company – save this for an exit survey if this is something your company offers.

You should also avoid overexplaining your reasons for resigning or sending an unedited letter with spelling or grammatical errors. The purpose of your letter is to show your professionalism, so keep this in mind as you proceed.

In order to build bridges as you move to a different job, professionalism is key. Future jobs may require checking references, so if you leave an employer on bad terms, this can potentially affect your reference options in the future.

Another way to show a positive relationship with a previous employer is if they write you a glowing LinkedIn recommendation, which can help your chances of getting a job down the line.

How to Plan for Your Resignation

It’s important to make sure your finances are in order before you make such a huge decision to quit, especially if you don’t have a job lined up following your current one.

If your job provides retirement or health benefits, make sure you take care of such matters in your final two weeks. Also, make sure you will receive your tax documents if necessary.

You might even benefit from writing a new budget with your adjusted finances in mind or allocating an emergency fund if you will be unemployed for some time. With the cost of living rising, many employees are looking for increased hourly earnings to keep up with inflation. In fact, studies have shown that only 17% of Americans said that their pay kept up with inflation.

Finally, be sure to tell your employer of your resignation before anyone else. If you tell your coworkers before your boss, it can come off as unprofessional if word gets around. Keeping your communication professional is integral to getting recommendations from previous employers and helps you keep your network intact.

To learn more about the Great Resignation and its impact on 2022 and beyond, check out this infographic from AngelList.

This article was written by guest author, Mitali Shukla.

Get Help with Your Next Career Move!

Hi! My name is Loren and I specialize in helping students and young professionals with career planning and job search strategy! I love highlighting your skills, experience and education on paper via your resume and cover letter as well as online via LinkedIn. Together, we can find the right fit for you, and negotiate the job and wage you need and deserve!

Book a free consultation today, and let’s chat about your career!

 

 

Resignation Letter Template
Loren Kelly

Sorority life is so much than what is portrayed in the film industry. I’m excited to share the benefits of joining a sorority that lasts way beyond college years. Sororities provide a sense of community, fun events, and teaches members the skills they can use for the rest of their lives. Here are 7 career benefits of joining a sorority:

Networking within the Sorority

One of the biggest benefits of joining a sorority is your sisters help you gain connections. These connections are especially helpful for potential career fields and obtaining job interests.  As a member of a sorority, your sisters can help connect you to the people they know and help provide you with opportunities outside of the sorority.

One great example of this was this year I worked for an attorney while having another job. During the semester my schedule became very busy. I had to let go of my job with the attorney. However, before I left I found a replacement. Luckily, one of my sorority sisters was a pre-law and she was very interested in the position. The job provided her with lots of valuable experience to prepare her for her future career in law.

Networking Through Alums

The benefits of joining a sorority extend even after members graduate from college.  Alumna can also help connect members to internship and career opportunities through the people they know.  These connections help current members gain experience in the career fields they are interested in. These connections can also help graduated members obtain jobs and careers in their majors.

Most sororities offer alum chapters for the members who graduate. Alums can stay connected to the sisters they graduated with, those that graduated before them, and the current members in the chapter.

Building Your Resume

On top of providing members with an amazing network, sorority life can also help build their resumes. As a member, you are offered many valuable experiences through events and positions in the sorority.  These experiences can be used for job and internship applications.

For example, this last year when putting together my resume for summer internships I was able to use the marketing experienced I gain through my sorority. Each year during our philanthropy events, my sorority advertised its fundraisers. We market through social media, flyers, games, hosting competitions on campus, and by personally talking to students. Members are required to participate in this marketing campaign.

Developing Leadership Skills

In a sorority, there are numerous opportunities to hold positions. There are two types of positions: appointed and elected.  The elected positions include the president of the chapter and the executive officers. The executive officers are the head of various departments.

For example, my sorority’s departments include public relations, education, finances, panhellenic affairs, and membership. All of the appointed positions are categorized in these departments. There are so many to choose from and they vary from chapter to chapter. The appointed positions have fewer responsibilities and are great stepping stones for the elected positions which hold a lot more responsibilities.

These positions are great for developing leadership skills as well as teamwork skills and communication skills. All of these skills are needed to become a great leader. In addition, all of these skills are transferable to many aspects of the member’s lives, especially life after college.

Teaches Responsibility

All of these positions teach members how to be responsible for their jobs.  For example, my position in my sorority is the Family Day Chairwoman.  I plan three events, Family Day in during the spring semester. Then I plan Mom’s Day and Dad’s Day during the fall semester.

My responsibilities for my position include organizing and planning these events. I plan a theme for decorations and t-shirts, buy food, and plan activities for members and their families to enjoy during the event.  In addition, I keep track of my budget for my events, and I coordination with different positions for different aspects of the events.

Learning Time Management

Other benefits of joining a sorority are that it teaches members time management skills.  On top of juggling classes, course work, and jobs, members are required to attend events and meetings for the sorority. If a member has a position they must also be able to make time for their responsibilities.

These time management skills can be utilized for the rest of a member’s life, especially when it comes to managing time for tasks and projects in their career fields. In addition after college will they have to make time for family, work, and many other things as adults.

Teaches Financial Responsibilities

Lastly, joining a sorority teaches members financial responsibilities. As a member of a sorority, you have to pay dues each semester. In addition, if a member is elected or appointed to a position, they are usually given a budget. Officers are expected to track their budgets each semester. They also must notify the financial chairwomen of all the expenses they have made and why they were made.

The skill of financial responsibility can be utilized in both the personal and business aspects of the member’s lives. It is great to have mastered before graduating from college. Luckily, joining a sorority can help with that.

Are you looking for the best college experiences to prepare you for the future?

Let’s chat! I love talking to college students and helping them set themselves up for success. Greek life can be a great option for some, and I encourage every student to complete an internship while in college. If you need help finding the best experiences, applying to them, and selling yourself, that’s my forte! Book a no-strings-attached free consultation and let’s get to know one another!

Book a free consultation!

About the Author

Hello! My name is Rebecca and I am Loren’s intern for this summer. I’m focusing on bringing you great tips on social media and informative blog content! I am majoring in integrated marketing communications with a minor in graphic design at Wichita State University. To learn more about me visit the Meet Rebecca page.

7 Career Benefits of Joining a Sorority
Loren Kelly

I’m getting a lot of questions about how to job hunt during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s a really tough and uncertain time right now and I want to help others get back on their feet as quickly as possible. I also don’t want students to miss out on what they thought would be a summer full of valuable internship experience. Here are my top tips for how to job hunt during the coronavirus pandemic.

How to Job Hunt During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Use your network and the unpublished job market

You’ve probably heard the line, “It’s not always what you know, but who you know.” That is going to ring true in the coming months more than ever before. I know it can be tough to advertise that you are out of work, but that is no fault of your own. We are simply in a really tough economic season.

My best tip for using your network and the unpublished job market to job hunt during the coronavirus is to reach out to friends and family members with a clear, specific request. Don’t just say you have been laid off due to the pandemic. Specifically state the type of work you are looking for and if they can put you in touch with someone in their network. If you reach out to twenty people in your circle and they have twenty people in their circle, your reach is now quite far!

Consider how your skillset translates to in-demand fields

If you have work experience, even internship or part-time work experience, you have developed a transferrable skillset. Depending on your level of urgency for work, now might be the time to start looking to apply your skill sets in the in-demand fields.

Take my brother-in-law for example. He has valuable sales experience and proven results in hospitality and tourism. Unfortunately, that is one of the hardest-hit industries right now and it is going to be a while before the demand for workers rises again. So, he has refocused his search and recently interviewed with a medical supply company for a sales job. He is taking his existing skillset and exploring ways to market and use those in other industries.

The key to using existing skillsets in different industries is marketing them correctly on your resume.

You must make your experience relevant and valuable to the employer if you want a chance at an interview. If you need help marketing your existing skills and experience in a new way, I can help. I am currently offering live resume writing classes as well as individual resume writing and revision sessions. I’d love to help you stand out in a pool of applicants!

Get organized and track communication

If you aren’t already, start organizing your job search and tracking your efforts. A job hunt during the coronavirus pandemic will require intentional and somewhat-aggressive follow-up. For each job you apply, I recommend the following:

• Save each position description so you can use it to prepare for interviews and tailor follow-up communication.
• Put each job in a spreadsheet. Note the date you applied, any contact information, and special notes about your application and top selling points.
• Follow-up on job applications. Mark the date of each follow-up attempt in your spreadsheet so you can plan your next communication in an appropriate timeframe.
• Review your spreadsheet daily. This tip is especially important if you are submitting quite a few job applications. You want to remember what positions you applied for and with whom. This helps ensure you are able to recall positions and relevant details should you receive a call for an interview. You don’t want to have to ask the caller which position he/she is calling about!

Remain positive

Job searching is tough. A job hunt during the coronavirus pandemic is especially mentally draining. During this time, it is so important to remain positive. It is likely that you’ll submit applications for positions you are really excited about and never get a call to interview. It is also likely that you’ll have a great interview and still not get the job. The competition will be stiff. Don’t take it personally and understand that overqualified people are likely applying for the same job right now because of the economic condition.

A big part of staying positive will be the content you are consuming on a daily basis. If you are watching the news, reading economic reports, or constantly scrolling social media, it will take a toll on your mindset. Instead, try investing in yourself with positive material. Listen to a great podcast. Read a personal growth book (I have my favorites listed here!). Network with professionals in your field. Take actions that will both increase your morale and help you with your job hunt during the coronavirus pandemic.

Your Resume and Job Hunt During the Coronavirus Pandemic

As I mentioned above, a well-written resume is more important now than ever. If you have a generic resume that you are submitting to every job you are interested in, it is unlikely that you will get the results you are seeking. The tougher the job market, the more tailored your resume needs to be. If you don’t have multiple versions of your resume by now, let’s chat.

To help job applicants with the job hunt during the coronavirus pandemic, I am offering very affordable, live resume writing classes. The cost is $25 and seats are limited to eight per class to ensure you get individual questions answered. Reserve your seat now!

How to Job Hunt During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Loren Kelly

Writing a follow up email for a job interview is a great way to stand out as a candidate, especially if the hiring manager stated they would be making a decision soon! If a hiring manager has two equal candidates and one sends a follow up thank you message, it could be the deciding factor! What should you say in a follow up email for a job interview? Here are a few tips.

Things to Include in a Follow Up Email for Job Interview

1. Gratitude and Excitement for the Opportunity

It may seem obvious but expressing gratitude in a follow up email for a job interview is very important. It takes a lot of time out of a month/day/week of the hiring manager to complete a hiring process. Being sincere with your thanks is important! Always begin your follow up email with a sincere thanks.

Also, if you left the interview even more excited about the potential of the job opportunity, say that! Hiring managers want employees who are excited and passionate. In your follow up email for a job interview, tell the hiring manager one to two things that specifically excites you about the position.

2. A reminder of your biggest selling point

What do you feel is the one biggest selling point of hiring you for the open position? Whatever that experience, skill or trait might be, remind them in your follow-up email. It is important to provide that reminder and continue to sell yourself in a non-pushy, but confident, way.

3. Mention of a high point in the conversation

Finally, if there was a specific topic or part of the interview conversation where you really seemed to connect with the hiring manager, mention that. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy, replay of the conversation; however, making mention can help remind the hiring manager of who you are (they could have interviewed several candidates) and a common ground you shared.

4. Brevity

Don’t forget to be brief. The follow up email for a job interview should not be too long. If you write a book, it could come across as desperate or over-the-top. Plus, hiring managers are busy. A long email isn’t likely to be read entirely. Keep it brief and concise.

Example of a Follow Up Email for a Job Interview

Are you curious about what a follow up email for a job interview should look like? I’ve implemented the components mentioned above in the following follow up email example.

Dear Ms. Kline,

Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the Marketing Associate position at XYZ Company. After our conversation, I am even more excited about the potential to join your team!

Due to my internship experience at Brand Boost Marketing, you can be assured I possess the knowledge and skills to uniquely position XYZ Company in the minds of consumers.

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the position and XYZ’s marketing strategy and vision! I’ll be awaiting our next conversation with great anticipation!

Sincerely,

Loren Kelly

Yes, it is that simple! Short and sweet with good content is the best approach with follow up emails. If you don’t hear back in a week, consider another follow up to check the status of the position. Continuing to show interest and excitement could be the final nudge that gets you the job offer!

How can I help?

Job searches and interviewing skills are my specialties! You’re not in this alone, I can help you find the right job for you and assist you from applying to negotiating the offer.

As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students and young professionals one-on-one and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to achieve them! The path to success is not straightforward. My mission is to help you experience true career fulfillment through proactive coaching and career planning.

Book a free consultation today!

Writing a Follow Up Email for a Job Interview
Loren Kelly

It’s March and, for many students, this means spring break is right around the corner—hooray! If your student needs some spring break activities to keep them busy, I’ve got just the solution. Not only will these spring break activities keep them busy, but they will get a head-start planning for the future!

Spring Break Activities: 3 Ways Students Can Get Ahead!

Research & Apply for Summer Camp Opportunities

Did you know colleges and universities across the nation host awesome summer camps to expose middle school and high school students to college and career options? If your student has an interest in a specific career field, research opportunities to get involved together. Most often, summer camp applications open in mid-spring. If your student needs spring break activities, have him or her start with College Consensus’ Top 30 Pre-College Summer Programs list!

Complete Summer Job Applications

Next, encourage your child to consider summer employment. Students who wait until school has dismissed to look for a summer job will likely have difficulty finding a position. Great spring break activities include writing a resume, looking for summer jobs, and completing job applications. By helping a student take ownership of the job search, you will be empowering him or her for the future! A few great places to look for summer employment include local government websites for park and recreation jobs, indeed.com for temporary or seasonal work, and company websites of a few of your teens’ favorite stores. If your child is interested in help writing a resume or would like help identifying summer job opportunities, have him/her book a free, 30-minute session with me and I’ll gladly help provide resources!

Company Tours

Excellent spring break activities include company tours or job shadows! Both activities are low-commitment, high-value career planning activities. Companies across the country open their doors to visitors allowing you to see the behind-the-scenes operations and all of the different people and careers it takes to make the production process happen! Your children won’t even realize they are being exposed to amazing career-related information and it will be fun for the entire family. When given the opportunity to ask additional questions on the tour, encourage the guide to talk about the different departments of the company, what they are responsible for, and how many people it takes to get your favorite products from the initial idea, to production, to your home. You can use this great resource, Factory Tours USA, to find a tour in your area or this great article by Popular Mechanics to explore options!

Would you like other career planning spring break activities? No problem, I can help! Book a free, 30-minute meeting with me to discuss your child’s career planning efforts! As a college educator and career coach, I specialize in assisting students with college and career planning. The earlier your child engages in college and career planning activities, the more confident he or she will be as they approach graduation. Don’t invest thousands of dollars in college education with a plan! Book your free consultation today!

How can I help?

If you believe a child in your life could benefit from some thoughtful planning, oftentimes an unbiased third-party can be a powerful tool! As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students one-on-one, meet them where they are, and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to achieve them!

Book a free consultation today!

Spring Break Activities: Three Ways Students Can Get Ahead!
Loren Kelly

If you are a student, your time in college will pass in a blink of an eye. Class, exams, social life, your commitments add up and, before you know it, commencement will be here. Then, you’ll start the career that you’ve worked so hard to achieve! One of the best things you can do while at college is to engage in professional networking. Here are five ways to get started!

1.  Engage in Professional Networking on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is low-commitment, high-impact professional networking. There are several benefits to using LinkedIn. Have you ever collected business cards before and then thought, “What should I do with them now?” Connecting with those contacts on LinkedIn in is a great idea. It can serve as an electronic database of contacts for you. It is also a great practice to begin following companies that are of interest to you. Many will post updates on company progress, industry updates, and even job and internship opportunities (link out to job coaching). Following companies you would like to work for is a great way to gain knowledge and perspective for future interviews!

2. Attend job and career fairs

Your campus likely hosts a career fair each term. Attend as many as possible during your time in college. Brief conversations with professionals from industry and companies of interest will help you understand the job market, company needs, and provide insight into job opportunities and hiring timelines. A big mistake many students make when attending these fairs is going in without a plan for professional networking. A list of companies that will be in attendance is usually listed online before the career fair. Do your part to research a few companies and develop a plan of five companies you are most interested in talking to maximize your time. For more tips on making the most of job and career fairs, be sure to read my article “Stand Out! – 10 Career Fair Tips for Students.”

3. Frequent local networking events

Did you know that most towns and cities have free professional networking events? That’s right, they won’t cost you anything but can pay big dividends for you in the long run! It is refreshing to established professionals to see young students attending networking events. They will enjoy sharing their professional journey, current career, and providing an industry perspective. If you commit to attending once a month, you’ll see strong relationships and trust begin to form. When it comes time to search for a full-time job after college, these contacts will be invaluable! How do you find these events? A few of my favorite ways to find free, local networking events is by searching on EventBrite. I bet you will find a LinkedIn Local (in-person, local networking events) or a Young Professional Networking group within minutes!

4. Volunteer, job shadow, or complete an internship

One of the best ways to build a professional reputation and network is to get involved in the industry. Whether you volunteer your time, complete a job shadow, or secure an internship, all of these experiences make your resume stand out. They also help you build lasting relationships and connections with industry professionals. Graduating from college is no longer enough to make you a competitive candidate. Employers want to see relevant involvement and work experience while you were obtaining your education.

5. Join an organization on campus or in the industry

Organizations provide students with many opportunities to network with professionals and gain valuable contacts. Also, the networking opportunities allow you to achieve incredible insight, encouragement, and support from like-minded people. Another option is to seek out organizations with the industry you will be joining post-graduation. A quick Google search will help you identify organizations in your industry. Many of these organizations encourage students to get involved by offering free or discounted memberships as well as reduce-rates for professional conferences and workshops. Finally, another benefit of joining an industry organization is the opportunity to highlight your involvement in your resume and demonstrate your commitment to your industry and your professional development.

Which one of the actions above can you take this semester to engage in professional networking? Besides the useful contacts you will gain, over time, you will notice improvements in your confidence and communication skills. Time spent networking is never wasted!

Want help finding your perfect job or career?

As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students and young professionals one-on-one and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to gain career-relevant experience! Learn more about my Career Coaching Services today!

Book a free consultation today!

5 Ways to Engage in Professional Networking
Loren Kelly

A new year…a new decade, actually! What are your goals? I used to practice personal goal setting at the beginning of the year and then get terribly frustrated at myself for not seeing them through. To be completely honest, I usually forgot about them until the time came to think about the next year. Can anyone relate? If so, you’ll love this new approach to personal goal setting that I have embraced and use with all of my clients. I have found that a combination of two goal-setting methods yields the best results. SMART Goals + The ONE Thing Method = successful personal goal setting!

SMART Goals

You may have heard of SMART goals before. It is an acronym and approach to personal goal setting that has been around for some time now. Here is a quick breakdown of the acronym:

S – Specific – Name a specific task, outcome, or skill that will be the focus of the goal.

M – Measurable – Make sure your goal is easily measured. Including a number or a clear outcome is important.

A – Attainable – Ask yourself if the goal is realistic and achievable based on the expectation and timeline.

R – Relevant – Make sure your goal is worthwhile and important to your future.

T – Time-Bound –  Set a reasonable timeframe for accomplishing the goal.

If you write your goals to follow this acronym, it helps hold you accountable and allows you to more easily track your success.

I had a student tell me recently that his goal for this semester is to get good grades. Awesome! I fully support that goal, but it is really broad. After further discussion, we applied the SMART acronym to make sure he makes this goal a reality. He revised his goal to “get good grades” into “To obtain a 3.5 GPA this spring semester by earning an A in English, Humanities, and Art and at least a B in Biology and lab.” After revisions, his goal is much more specific and measurable and he feels confident that it is attainable in this semester. Personal goal setting is an important part of planning for the future.

The ONE Thing

The ONE Thing method is one that I adopted two years ago that really changed the way I approach personal goal setting. I use it with my students and clients because of the way it connects our goals to benchmark actions.

Gary Keller’s book, The ONE Thing, is a quick and easy read. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a good personal or professional development book to start the new year. Here is how to use this personal goal setting method:

1. Think of the one thing you really want to accomplish someday personally or professionally (or both!). This is called your “ONE Thing” or “Someday Goal.”
2. Begin working backward to identify the tasks, actions, etc. that you need to complete to successfully reach that someday goal of the one thing that is really important to you. Start with the one thing you need to have done five years from now to reach that someday goal.
3. Continue this process with the one thing you need to do in the next year to reach the five-year benchmark and so-on.
   1. • Someday goal: What is the ONE Thing you want to accomplish personally or professionally?
      • Five-year goal: What is ONE Thing you need to accomplish in the next five years to help you meet that someday goal?
      • One-year goal: What is ONE Thing you need to accomplish in the next year to help you meet the five-year goal?
      • Six-month goal: What is ONE Thing you need to accomplish in the next six months to help you meet the one-year goal?
      • Month goal: What do you need to do this month to meet the one-year goal?
      • Week goal: What do you need to do this week to meet the monthly goal?
4. Revisit the goals as necessary to update the week/month focus.

As you can see, there is a lot of power in aligning your short-term goals based on the long-term goal! By working backward, you are ensuring that you are forming benchmarks along the way.

SMART Goals + The ONE Thing = Optimal Personal Goal Setting

I believe that combining the SMART technique and The ONE Thing method is where the magic happens. I like to see my students and clients begin with The ONE Thing approach and then go back and check each benchmark goal against the SMART acronym to make sure it is specific and measurable. The combination has proven to be very successful when it comes to personal goal setting!

Need help setting goals for your future and career?

As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students and young professionals one-on-one and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan for their career! Learn more about my Career Coaching Services today!

Book a free consultation today!

Personal Goal Setting
Loren Kelly

It’s late October and many students are experiencing a lack of motivation, I like to call it the “mid-semester slump.” Even the most disciplined people have periods where they struggle with a lack of motivation. If you can relate to these feelings, you are not alone.

Recently, I had a student reach out to me recently and ask if I had any tips for overcoming a lack of motivation. Not being a person who typically struggles to find intrinsic motivation, this particular individual was looking for inspiration and boost of energy. I was happy to share a few of my favorite techniques for overcoming a lack of motivation.

Listen to an inspiring podcast.

First, podcasts are one of my favorite tools to put myself in productive mode! They are free, you can multitask while listening, and you can find podcasts on almost any topic. If you are experiencing a lack of motivation, I recommend listening to Rachel Hollis’ RISE podcast. Episode 107: Stop Procrastinating will definitely inspire you to get moving!

Change your routine.

A small change in routine can combat a lack of motivation. One of my favorite ways to spur some motivation and get shit done is to change up my work environment. Something as simple as working outside on a nice day or setting up a workstation in the local coffee shop helps me fight a lack of motivation and inspire me to get going on my to-do list. I’ve written blog posts on a park bench in Hyde Park, I’ve taken conference calls while on a walk in the woods, and I’ve developed content for my website sitting on a train on my way to vacation! A change of scenery and work environment turn my lack of motivation into high productivity moments.

Engage in 30-minutes of self-care or “me time.”

Next, you need to realize that you’ll never produce the results you really want if you are spread thin and exhausted. If you are experiencing a lack of motivation, identify the last time you invested time in yourself and your own well-being. For me, this could mean a massage, a good workout, yoga/meditation, a nap, or a long walk with a good podcast. You have to decide what works best for you, hard-schedule 30 minutes for yourself, and follow-through. Watch your motivation and productivity rise!

Celebrate milestones and reward yourself.

Do you have a long paper to write, a big project to complete, or a daunting exam to study for? Thinking about the time and effort required for such tasks can cause a lack of motivation to get started. Break that tasks into manageable pieces and celebrate each milestone by rewarding yourself! If you want to learn more about this approach, look at Emma Johnson’s article, “How to Reward Yourself.” It could be a happy hour beer with a friend after writing two pages of your paper. A few small rewards along the way can help you achieve the long-term results you want!

Find inspiration in others.

Finally, don’t rely on yourself and your own will power. Find inspiration in others! If you are an extrovert, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to interact with others. Is there someone who seems to have all of the motivation and productivity in the world? Ask them how they fight periods of lack of motivation. Introverted? No problem, read an article on the same subject or ask a close friend. Nothing resets my energy level like a short pep talk from a good friend!

Regardless if you are a student, young professional, or established career woman or man, everyone struggles with a lack of motivation. The first step to combatting a lack of motivation is recognizing it and then doing something about it! The five actions mentioned above are free or of little cost and can help you move past stagnation and increase your productivity!

How can I help?

As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students and young professionals one-on-one and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to achieve them! The path to success is not straightforward. My mission is to help you experience true career fulfillment through proactive coaching and career planning.

Book a free consultation today!

Overcoming Lack of Motivation
Loren Kelly

We all want career satisfaction, but many of us aren’t experiencing it.
How do you find career satisfaction? Read on to find out!

It’s a beautiful fall morning in London. People are walking past me at a brisk pace, headed to work. I have the same agenda but being self-employed, I have the luxury of working from anywhere. I grabbed a coffee at a corner shop and decided this bench in Hyde Park was the perfect place to sit down and write my weekly blog.

I woke up this morning with the plan to write but wasn’t sure of the topic. As I began walking through London’s most significant and, in my opinion, most beautiful, park, I couldn’t help but get excited to sit down and work. Why? Because I am PROUD of the career I have built and experience deep satisfaction doing what I do. It made me think about the countless conversations I have had with peers and friends. “I’m burnt out,” “I’m not being challenged,” “I need a sense of purpose,” and “I have no idea what is next for me,” are all comments I’ve heard many, many times. I’m excited to share three keys that moved me from wondering, “What’s my purpose?” to career satisfaction.

1. Knowing exactly what factors must be present for you to experience career satisfaction.

If you set out in search of career satisfaction without being able to very clearly and easily articulate your purpose and the work values that are important to you, you will be throwing darts and hoping something lands on the bullseye. If you can relate with thoughts such as, “What’s my purpose?” or “I need a change,” start with getting very clear on what you want and need to experience true fulfillment. If you have to stumble and think hard to identify three to four things you want or need to be professionally fulfilled, get back to the basics first. Knowing these elements will help you make your decisions with clarity and confidence and ensures that you’ll experience fulfillment, not frustration.

2. Invest in yourself and your development.

If someone says to me, “I was happy at first, but now things have changed,” or, “I’m just not challenged anymore,” my first thought is always, “I wonder how much time they have spent investing in themselves professionally?” One of my favorite books on this topic is John Maxwell’s book 15 Laws of Invaluable Growth. I promise it will inspire you and challenge you to grow. Also, very organically, you’ll either find yourself out of the rut you may be in professionally or feeling confident in seeking a new direction or opportunity.

3. Be vulnerable, embrace the unknown, and trust yourself.

People stay stuck in their careers way too long because of two things. The first is loyalty. While loyalty is essential, many of us are too loyal. I may sound trite, but you are replaceable. If you move on to a new position, the world will keep turning, your organization will keep producing, and you will eventually be replaced. Don’t let a deep sense of obligation keep you from career satisfaction. The second reason people spend too long stuck in their careers is the fear of the unknown. Will the grass be greener on the other side? You won’t know unless you show some vulnerability, do research, interview for jobs, and explore opportunities.

Simply put, we don’t trust ourselves enough. I’ve worked with or had in-depth career-based talks with five young professionals in the last six months. I have intentionally tracked our conversations and their progress. Four of the five have taken embraced the unknown and taken action to move them closer to career satisfaction. Not to my surprise, all four of them have said, “I should have done this months ago.” You know yourself best. If you have done your research and thought through your options, TRUST YOURSELF.

So, on this Monday morning, are you excited about your work? Do you have frequent feelings of career satisfaction, or do you find yourself thinking that there must be more? Don’t wait until the new year to begin figuring out what is missing. You owe it to yourself to find career fulfillment and satisfaction now!

Do you need help with career satisfaction?

As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with young professionals one-on-one and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to bring lasting fulfillment and satisfaction! The path to success is not straightforward. My mission is to help you experience true career fulfillment through proactive coaching and career planning.

Book a free consultation today!

Three Keys to Career Satisfaction
Loren Kelly

I can’t go to the college career fair. I have a class. I have to work. I have a test tomorrow that I have to study for. I didn’t even know there was a career fair. These are all comments I’ve heard from students when asked, “Are you going to the college career fair?” The first comment, “I have class,” is what I want to provide perspective on today.

It was 8 AM Tuesday when I received a text message from my brother-in-law. He is a sophomore majoring in Construction Management and, while I may be biased, he is a total Rockstar. Kevin never misses class, he is very conscious of his grades, the decisions he makes, and setting himself up for success in regards to his future career. He had his summer internship for 2019 lined-up by Thanksgiving of 2018 and will wake up every morning at 4:30 AM to workout. I think you get the point, the kid is super motivated and very dedicated. So, when I got his text asking, “Should I miss class to go to the career fair?” this was a no-brainer.

For decades, students have been fed the idea that to be successful, you need to go to college and get a degree. As a result, we have droves of students heading off to college convinced that their degree is going to get them a good job after graduation. This has led to an “academics first, career planning later” mentality. The truth, however, is that obtaining good grades and earning a degree are only small pieces of big-picture success. Hands down, employers number one request when hiring student graduates is the industry-relevant experience.

So, going back to Kevin’s question, “Should I miss class to go to the college career fair?” what do you think I said? As annoying as it may have been, I responded to his question with a question.

Is your goal to get a degree and perfect grades or to get a great job after graduation?

Missing class to invest in your professional future is not only a smart move, but good instructors will encourage it. In fact, as a college instructor myself, I’ve provided extra credit opportunities to students who attended networking events and college career fairs! The key to this situation is to be proactive. Here are three things you can to in advance:

1. Identify the class or classes that will impact you the least if you miss.

Once you know the date and time of the college career fair, see how that fits with your schedule. Perhaps the stars will align and you won’t need to miss class! Chances are though, there is going to be a conflict. Think about your current schedule. Which classes are easiest for you? Which do you have the best grade in already? Missing a class session in one of these classes is a much better plan than missing a difficult course. Another factor to consider, is the time of day. It is best to go to the fair earlier rather than later. Why? Because companies pack up early if they have a long drive or if there aren’t many students coming through. Going earlier in the day increases your opportunities to talk to the companies you are most interested in learning about and conversing with.

2. Notify your instructor(s) in advance that you will be missing class to attend the career fair.

Take it from an instructor, you want to let your professors know you will be missing class and why. A simple email or notifying them at the end of class the week prior is best. Explain that you are going to the career fair rather than just saying, “I’m not going to be in class.” If they know you are missing for a worthy reason, instructors are much more likely to excuse the absence, allow make-up work, etc.

3. Complete work before the class period and arrange for a peer to take notes.

Regardless of how easy a class is for you, it is still a good idea to work ahead of the class period you are going to miss and arrange for a peer to take notes and update you on what was covered. If you have talked to your professor in advance, chances are you will be aware of what assignments or deadlines you might be missing. Make sure you get that in ahead of time. Then, contact a peer and see what was covered in class. Sometimes more is covered than originally planned, sometimes less. This will help ensure you can pick right up with the rest of the class next time.

So, go to the college career fair!

In short, no time spent networking is ever wasted! Yes, going to class is important; however, if you are a good student with regular attendance, it is worth missing a class or two to invest in your future! You never know who you might meet or the opportunities that may come from it. Kevin had three interviews for summer 2020 internships following the career fair. I would say that choosing to attend the college career fair was a pretty good investment of his time! For more tips to help you be successful at college career fairs, read my article “Stand Out! — 10 Career Fair Tips for Students.”

How can I help?

As an experienced educator and career coach, I sit down with students and young professionals one-on-one and assist them as they articulate their goals and develop a plan to achieve them! The path to success is not straightforward. My mission is to help you experience true career fulfillment through proactive coaching and career planning.

Book a free consultation today!

Should I miss class for the college career fair?
Loren Kelly