Looking for a new job is a long and arduous process, and as candidates you must commit yourself the entire way. Once you have been through the entire process and end up at the stage of accepting an offer you must realize your current employer may present a counter offer. Here are some tips on handling the counter offer from your current employer.

Be Committed to your Job Search
You started your search for a reason, it could have been because you were looking to grow your career, you wanted new challenges or overall you have job dissatisfaction. Now, whatever the reason may be you have to 100% think about quitting your current job to go for another. It may seem like a simple task but you need to actually think about leaving your current place of work. Quitting is never easy and if you’re not fully committed to leaving, your current employer can sway you with their counter offer and your whole search would be for naught.

Expect the Counter Offer
Now, when commencing your job search you should expect your employer to present a counter offer when you submit your resignation. To better prepare yourself, you should think about all aspects of what your current employer may potentially present to you. If they offer you $5000 will you stay? If they offer you more money and an extra week of vacation will you stay? If they give you a promotion or new job duties will you stay? You have to expect your current employer to use whatever means to get you to stay. However, if you answered yes to those questions it is better to have a conversation with your employer to see how you can improve your current situation.

More money, more vacation, and improved role are all enticing when put into a counter offer. But as someone who initially wanted to leave their job, take a moment to think back to your initial motivation in wanting to leave. If you still feel the same way, no amount of money, vacation weeks or improved role will keep you long-term.

Your resume is supposed to be an exact representation of you. It should put your best qualities on display. Resume mistakes however do the exact opposite. It can show you in a negative light, and characterize you in an unfavourable way. Let’s take a look at a few of these resumes mistakes:

Spelling Mistakes and Grammatical Errors: When you have these resume mistakes present on your resume it shows carelessness. Simple spelling and grammar errors can be picked up by your word document program. Run it through the spell check and proof read it. Also have someone proof it for you, they maybe able to catch something you couldn’t.

Formatting Errors: The font type, size and color should all be the same on your resume. It should be justified to one side and not all over the place. Mistakes like these show a lack of attention to detail. Employers will likely attribute these resume mistakes to errors you might have potentially working for them. Again take the time and proof your resume, even to the smallest detail.

Experience: Your experience should be listed from your most recent job to any job you have had within ten years prior. Ten years is the typical rule of thumb, however to every rule there is an exception.  When you list your experience in the opposite direction, from oldest to newest it gets confusing. Employers are used to seeing the experience from recent to oldest – update your resume if your experience goes in the wrong direction.

Additionally, keep the description of your experience succinct. There is nothing worse than a resume that drags on about aspects of your experience that are better displayed in an interview. Here you want to highlight key parts of your experience, things that should be on display. I would advise no more than six bullet points.

Resume mistakes will say a lot about you. It will portray you negatively and could possibly put you out of an opportunity as a result. Take these tips and take it back to your resume. It might be time for a refresher or just a quick read through. Your resume is your ticket it, make sure it is the best it can be!