Singapore is a small Southeast Asian city-state on the southern section of the Malay Peninsula. With a population of 5.41 million (2021) residents, with over 20% being expats from other countries, Singapore is a central point for Asian and global commerce. Widely regarded as one of the most modern cities on Earth, Singapore has become a prime destination for businesses and professionals seeking to break into the Asian market and capitalize on a rich and competitive working environment. Due to the large influx of foreign talent into the country, Singapore’s work culture and practices have evolved from its traditional base to one that has become more open and embracing international standards and customs. Globalization has made the world a (figuratively) smaller place, bridging lands and people into an interwoven mesh of culture, customs, and traditions. That said, against the background of maintaining and respecting cultural diversity, when making the move to another country, especially one whose customs and traditions differ widely from one’s own, the importance of understanding the working culture cannot be understated. In this article, we will take a deep look into the origin of the Singaporean work culture, and examine how the country’s long-standing work etiquette has modernized in the face of rapid globalization.Table of Contents:Historical ContextUnderstanding Singaporean Work CultureHow to Succeed in the Singaporean Workplace?ConclusionHistorical ContextIt would not be possible to understand the current Singaporean work culture without acknowledging the remnant aftereffects of British colonialism. Singapore’s history as a British colony has left a lasting impact on its work culture, and many features of its present work culture are derivatives of systems put in place by the British during the colonial era. In addition, the influx of foreign talent contributed substantially to modern Singaporean work culture by promoting understanding and cross-cultural cooperation. This rapid development and economic growth has encouraged ever-increasing amounts of expats to make the move to Singapore, further diversifying the Singaporean multicultural society, social norms, and customs. Like several other Asian nations, Singapore’s transition to industrialization began in the 1970s. During this time, Singapore shifted from a primarily trading port to an industrialized nation with an economy that was centrally focused on innovation and technological developments. These economic strides were supported significantly by globalization and technological advancements and had lasting impacts on Singapore’s work culture. Singapore’s new focus on industrialization signaled a shift towards a knowledge-based economy and the skills demanded in the modern workforce. Naturally, to meet the demands of the evolving work environment, the workforce within Singapore gradually adapted to the changing economic landscape, which brought about the development of new skills and a focus on innovation within the Singaporean work culture.Understanding Singaporean Work CultureCreated by CakeIn this section, we will discuss the aspects of Singapore's work culture and examine how the country’s values and beliefs, work ethic, and communication styles are represented in day-to-day professional life. Singaporean values and beliefs The values and beliefs of Singaporeans are major drivers of its work culture. Here are some of the most integral values and beliefs that Singaporean work culture is based on. Emphasis on Meritocracy Meritocracy refers to the system that defers to academic credentials as a form of objective qualification. Singapore’s meritocratic system is touted as one of its leading developmental principles and is at the core of every level of its society, from the elementary school level to the governmental structures responsible for guiding public and international policy. The strong emphasis placed on attaining higher education qualifications is ingrained in the Singaporean education system and is one of the driving forces behind Singapore’s incredibly high literacy and higher education rates. For many Singaporean companies, academic achievements are often seen as a key determinant for career advancement. In the years leading up to its industrialization arc, the Singaporean government recognized the importance of having a highly educated workforce to compensate for its lack of natural resources, heavily subsidizing the educational system for its citizens and removing many of the barriers to education that lower-income households would have otherwise faced. Creating equal opportunities for Singaporeans hailing from every socio-economic level, the fact that Singapore’s work culture prioritizes academic achievement is no longer a barrier to employment as all individuals have equal opportunities for success, regardless of background or social status. Naturally, the meritocratic philosophy of Singapore’s work culture heavily influences every stage of the job recruitment, promotion, and professional development processes. Recruitment for competitive positions is extremely challenging, and supplemental qualifications apart from a university degree are often what ekes out successful candidates from their competition. Similarly, performance-based promotions and rewards are given out to those who can produce the most efficient and most substantial returns and is a very common method of recognition in Singapore's work culture and workplaces. To this end, due to the emphasis placed on one’s merit and accomplishments, employees who can consistently impress their superiors and invest time in their own professional development can expect smooth, even accelerated, career progression.Respect for Hierarchy and Authority Hierarchical structures are another one of the defining traits of Singaporean work culture. In virtually every Singaporean business, a clear organizational structure exists and is expected to be followed at all times. These corporate hierarchies typically have clear reporting structures, and it is believed that respect for these structures contributes to a sense of order and efficiency in the workplace. To this end, the work culture in these companies places great stress on lover-ranked employees paying respect to their superiors through the unquestioning and efficient execution of assigned tasks and projects. What’s more, success in these areas is seen in a highly positive light by superiors and can be a determining factor in performance bonuses and merit-based promotions. The Singaporean work culture’s insistence on rigid hierarchical structures can also be traced to the country’s cultural roots. Many of Singapore’s cultural principles are rooted in Confucian teachings, the origins of which can be traced back to the Chinese heritage of many Singaporeans. Hence, the Confucian principle of social hierarchy is considered by many to be the largest contributor to the Singaporean work culture’s emphasis on respect for authority and hierarchy, where age and experience play important roles in determining the hierarchy of authority and decision-making power within a company. Younger employees are almost always relegated to lower positions and must give deference to those who are older and (usually) in higher positions of power. The communication dynamics between tiers in a company’s hierarchy are strongly influenced by the position of one employee relative to another. While treating professional colleagues with the utmost respect is the standard within Singaporean work culture, this is even more apparent in communication exchanges between younger/lower-ranked employees and their superiors or employers. Voicing disagreement with a superior’s opinion is seen by many as rude and going against the hierarchical status quo, and is thus strongly discouraged. While the exact extent of this may vary depending on how progressive or international the company is, foreigners (especially Westerners) coming to work in Singapore should be keenly aware of this feature of the Singaporean work culture.Collective Responsibility and Teamwork Collectivism is a popular trait in Asian countries, of which Singapore is no exception. Collectivism, or the prioritization of the group over the self, presents strongly in Singapore’s work culture. One of these manifestations is through a strong belief in collective responsibility and teamwork. Singapore is a highly multicultural society, with representation from virtually every country on Earth making up over 25% of its population. The resulting cultural melting pot has naturally encouraged a strong sense of teamwork as people work towards understanding the cultural and social backgrounds of their peers in an effort to streamline workflows and channels of communication. The multicultural composition of Singaporean workplaces also allows for a greater range of perspectives and opinions to be put forth in projects, the benefits of which are particularly realized in those geared towards innovation and development. The Singaporean government has made many efforts to encourage intercultural interactions within the country. Government bodies, such as the Presidential Council for Minority Rights, were established to encourage a work culture that was tolerant and accepting of intercultural exchanges between the many that exist within Singapore. Many policies were also passed into law by the Singaporean government, including the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and the Ethnic Integration Policy, to name a few. The resulting society is one that largely accepts and celebrates the multiculturalism reflected in all levels of its society and workforce. The cohesion stemming from the emphasis placed on collective responsibility extends past Singapore’s work culture and into the very structure of its society. The collective responsibility of Singaporeans to maintain a safe and productive population has resulted in the country consistently ranking amongst the safest and cleanest in Asia and the world, with even small crimes such as petty theft being exceedingly rare. To this end, Singaporeans and the foreigners residing there keep each other accountable through the reporting of any crimes committed; this works in favor of the collective responsibility all citizens and residents feel to keep the country as safe and as clean as possible. All this being said, while collectivism and collective responsibility are generally seen as strong positives for Singapore’s work culture, group success usually comes at the cost of one’s personal goals. In the pursuit of collective success, the individual success of an employee is usually overlooked or given a lower priority in the eyes of their superiors. To this end, acting out of personal motivation, especially when it comes at the expense of a larger organizational success, is frowned upon by Singaporean work culture. As such, it may be difficult for many to balance one's individual goals alongside team objectives.Singaporean work ethic Singaporean work ethic is amongst the highest in the world and has been formed from the melting pot of cultures, traditions, and customs of the many nationalities that call the city-state home. Here are some of the most important features of the Singaporean work ethic. Punctuality and Time Management Punctuality is one of the cornerstones of Singaporean work culture and work ethic and has significant cultural roots. Typing back to Confucian principles, punctuality is viewed as a sign of the utmost respect towards one’s colleagues and (especially) superiors. It is seen as a sign of respect for others’ time as well as a strong indicator of personal responsibility. It should be mentioned that this emphasis on punctuality is not limited to the Singaporean work culture, but extends into every aspect of life within the city-state. Many Singaporean companies tie strong links between punctuality, efficiency, and productivity in their work culture. As a highly productive and efficient society and people, many Singaporeans directly correlate effective time management to achieving organizational goals. While this may seem self-explanatory, it is prudent to recall the significance of teamwork and collective responsibility within the Singaporean work culture; maintaining proper time management in a fast-paced and relentless work environment is crucial in ensuring that team deadlines and objectives are being met and that organization success can be consistently achieved. The Singaporean focus on effective and precise time management also has a significant impact on the way that meeting times and deadlines are set. In a work culture and environment that is so geared towards the development of globally innovative technologies and through substantial participation in global financial markets, the ability to meet strict deadlines and exceed set expectations is crucial. Many Singaporean companies use time management as a metric of success in employee evaluations, and many expect tasks and projects to be completed even before established deadlines. The plus side of this is that strong time management skills, when recognized, can greatly increase an employee’s odds of vertical promotions.Dedication to Job Responsibilities Within the fast-paced and competitive Singaporean work culture, it has become natural for many workers to take great pride in their individual tasks and projects. Not only is the success and completion of these tasks seen as a great contribution towards the overall success of the organization, but it is also a reflection of the employee’s work and value to the company. Given the hierarchical structure of the Singaporean work culture, the sense of ownership and responsibility for individual tasks is understandable; if a superior notices that an employee is producing stellar results by themselves, they are more likely to be promoted and move up the hierarchical ladder of the company. The cultural factors that contribute to this dedication to job responsibilities also cannot be overlooked. Given that Singapore’s work culture places a strong emphasis on organizational success and collective responsibility, taking pride in one’s own contribution to the overarching success of the company can be viewed as one of the few ways that one can express and work towards personal and professional goals. As is the case with many high-performing economies, one of the hallmarks of Singapore’s work culture is the prevalence of extremely long and intensive working hours. Typically, Singaporeans work at least 40-50 hour work weeks, some of which extend into the weekend. These long work hours are supported by an unwavering work ethic, as the individual desire to contribute towards the collective success of meeting company goals motivates many workers to put in many extra hours. This dedication to organizational success is also commonly driven by the hope of recognition by hierarchical seniors and the chance for a merit-based promotion through the ranks of a company. As it is a by-product of an extensively meritocratic work environment, Singapore's corporate work culture recognizes and rewards dedication to job responsibilities through merit-based promotions and advancements. To this end, periodic performance reviews are a popular way of evaluating an employee’s value to a company and is a common way to acknowledge an employee's commitment to the success of their place of employment.Balancing Work and Personal Life In such a competitive work environment, striking a work-life balance within the Singaporean work culture poses a challenge for many, both foreign and domestic workers alike. To this end, the government has proposed and introduced a latitude of initiatives that promote a healthy work-life balance for its workforce. Initiatives such as the Work-Life Grant and the Tripartite Standards were established to promote and encourage workers to take well-deserved breaks from working towards company objectives and begin to develop and achieve milestones in their personal lives. The result has been that many Singaporeans now have more time to spend with their families, and are also burdened with less of the stress that comes from working in one of the world’s most competitive economies. Despite the government’s best efforts, however, the cultural roots of Singaporean work culture have caused many to overlook the steps put in place to balance work obligations with personal time. The competitive work culture is oftentimes overwhelming for many, leading to many workers refusing to take time off for fear of being behind on set deadlines for personal and team projects. That said, as Singapore’s work culture becomes more progressive and internationalized from the foreign talent influx into the country, a noticeable shift can be observed by both employers and employees when it comes to the pressure being placed on organizational success over personal time off. Impact on Employee Satisfaction Studies have shown that companies that give their employees the flexibility to balance work with personal time substantially contribute to overall levels of satisfaction and job retention. While this may be the case, in many cases the competitive work culture in Singapore does not allow employees to maintain a stable work-life balance in the face of extreme pressure, both from themselves and their colleagues. Foreigners coming to work in Singapore should be aware of the extreme pressure that the work culture places on all employees and that they may find themselves working extra hours to keep abreast of the pace of their colleagues.Singaporean communication styles Communication is an important step in maintaining the smooth operation of any company. In the fast-paced Singaporean work culture, communication is highly valued, both in ensuring the efficiency of business operations and for the amicable resolution of conflict. We will now discuss some of the most common communication styles employed within Singaporean work culture. Directness and Clarity in Communication The methods of communication in Singapore go against those found in many other Asian countries. Culturally, Singaporeans are naturally more straightforward in communication exchanges, both in and outside of the workplace. Not mincing words at work heavily favors the workplace efficiency that Singapore is well-known for. At the same time, being overtly direct, especially when saying “no” or disagreeing with someone, is rare. This follows Singaporeans wanting to “save face”, especially within the workplace. Another method that Singaporeans employ within their work culture is a general avoidance of ambiguity in communication exchanges within the workplace. Ambiguous statements in conversation are normally used to soften the effect of harsher forms of criticism or comments that may be misconstrued as offensive. While Singaporean work culture is geared towards “saving face” in all exchanges, ambiguous phrasing is avoided for the sake of maximizing efficiency within the workplace. This is good for clearer channels of communication between all parties and is useful in ensuring that a mutual level of understanding is always reached. A final method that many Singaporean companies use in an effort to maintain clear communication between employers and employees is the use of constructive criticism and feedback. Feedback is highly valued by employees in Singapore as it allows them to make effective changes to their workflows per their superior’s advice. Direct feedback communication is highly valued for the level of personal and professional growth and can lead to more merit-based promotions throughout the ranks of a company. Importance of Non-verbal Communication In many cases, non-verbal communication adds a layer of interpretation to communication exchanges between people. Changes in body language, facial expressions, and gestures play an important role in conveying messages in a conversation where words are not enough. Singaporean work culture places a great deal of significance on non-verbal communication, and foreigners should be aware that many Singaporeans convey many of their thoughts and feelings through these subtle changes in expression. Stemming from the need to maintain stable and formal relationships within the workplace, Singaporeans are acutely aware of their facial expressions when speaking to others, as poor body posture, ill-timed gestures, and careless facial expressions can translate into offense for many. Having the awareness to take care of subtle body language when speaking to others is just one example of many depicting the importance of being culturally sensitive when acclimating to the Singaporean work culture. For many foreigners, especially those coming into Singapore from outside of Asia, becoming acclimated to the cultural sensitivities of Singapore and, to a lesser extent, Asia, can be quite the adjustment. That said, it is something that everyone coming into Singapore must do, as the country is a cultural melting pot with its residents hailing from every country on Earth. The multiculturally diverse workforce comes with a plethora of customs, beliefs, and traditions that should be respected at all times, so as to maintain a harmonious working relationship between all parties. Thriving within Singaporean working culture means applying everything that we have discussed so far, from respecting Singaporean values and work ethics to understanding and acting on the cultural sensitivities of the many nationalities working within the small city-state. While challenging, success results in the highest standard of professional etiquette within the Singaporean work culture. In particular, adhering to features such as non-verbal cues, maintaining proper body language, and adopting formal and direct lines of communication are the most likely to lead to performance success in the workplace and social interactions.Harmony and Avoiding Confrontation Singapore’s multiculturalism is one of the country’s most prominent features. What is most impressive, though, is the level of cultural harmony that permeates every level of Singaporean society. Much value is placed on societal and cultural harmony and maintaining positive relationships between all people. While Singaporean society is highly diverse, some of the largest ethnic groups include Chinese, Malay, and Indian, to name but a few. This diversity influences communication strategies that Singaporeans and foreigners working in the country employ to avoid unnecessary conflicts. One method that is employed to minimize cross-cultural conflict within Singaporean work culture is the adoption of more indirect methods of communication. While Singaporeans generally favor unambiguous and direct communication, in an effort to maintain workplace harmony, many fall back on more indirect ways of communication to convey points, usually through the previously discussed forms of non-verbal communication or pauses in speech to add emphasis to one point of conversation over another. The resulting communications exchanges are less confrontational and preserve the public images of all parties involved. In the event that conflict becomes unavoidable, there are many conflict resolution approaches that those operating within the Singaporean work culture employ. Clear and open communication is always favored due to its efficiency and is in line with the emphasis placed on directness within the work culture. That said, many Singaporeans and Singaporean companies prefer to go the communal route and avoid situations where interpersonal conflicts may arise. Exact methods vary depending on the company but, generally, employing collaborative problem-solving to maintain strong and positive working relationships is the go-to for many businesses. The logic behind this move is that group-based projects minimize the change for individual gripes an employee may have with one of their peers by taking advantage of Singapore’s collectivist culture, and generally give way for the speedy and efficient completion of assigned tasks Singapore's work culture’s emphasis on team dynamics is reflected in its preference for collaborative projects within the workplace. Team-based projects require employees to apply many of the most important facets of Singapore's work culture, including excellent time management skills, clear and concise communication, having a deep knowledge of cultural sensitivities, and producing quality results in a highly competitive working environment. By evenly applying all of these skills to day-to-day work life, a level of harmony is achieved within the team that contributes to cohesive team dynamics. Conflict, when it arises, can be a significant threat to this harmony and can have lasting effects on the efficiency of the team. To mitigate this, Singaporean work culture prioritizes clear communication to bring about a swift and amicable resolution to all conflicts when they arise.How to Succeed in the Singaporean Workplace?Now that we have covered the features of Singapore's work culture, here are some tips and tricks to be as prepared as possible when entering the Singaporean workforce. Tip 1: Well-prepared Being well-prepared in all aspects is an essential step in smoothly transitioning into Singapore and its competitive work culture. Prepare for the mental and physical strain that comes with moving and working in a new and unfamiliar country. Also, bear in mind that Singapore is one of the world’s most advanced and competitive economies; ensure that your soft and hard skills are up to scratch and can compete against global competition! Tip 2: Dress appropriately Wearing the appropriate attire when working within Singapore’s work culture is very important, particularly within the corporate and financial sectors. Singaporean business culture values traditional business attire, as employees are considered reflections of their company’s values and ethics. If you would like some more information on how to dress appropriately for every business setting, check out our article explaining the nuances of traditional business attire. Tip 3: Set career goals Singapore is a forward-thinking nation that rewards career-driven professionals seeking to maximize their professional lives. Set short, medium, and long-term career goals prior to making the move to Singapore. This will allow you to best consider your career options and positions upon arrival and can even help you streamline the job application process by eliminating extraneous jobs that do not align with your goals.ConclusionAs a powerhouse and trailblazer in technology development, innovation, and a global economic and financial hub, Singapore’s work culture is quickly becoming one of the most important to be versed in. The country’s economic influence on the Southeast Asian region and world makes it one of the rising Asian economies that the world is quickly giving more attention to. With virtually limitless career paths to explore within this small city-state, Singapore is a popular choice for expats and foreigners looking to make the move to Asia. Singapore’s work culture is wholly unique and pays homage to the myriad of cultures that bless its population. Succeeding within Singaporean work culture means having a deep appreciation and respect for multiculturalism, having a strict and efficient work ethic, and being a highly qualified and experienced professional in your field. While this is challenging for all, success in Singapore can yield an extremely rewarding lifestyle, making it the perfect destination for career-driven and focused professionals.Follow our blog for more! Cake is one of the best professional resume-builders. We also offer other HR-related services like Job Search, Job Posting, Talent Search, Recruitment Services, and Employer Branding. Talk to our consultants for more!Create Resume--- Originally written by Alexander Coye ---

Created by CakeIn this article, you'll learn:What Are Career Goals?How to Set Career GoalsTips on How to Set Professional GoalsProfessional Development Goals ExamplesSetting and achieving career goals are essential for professional development and fulfillment. Before we get to that, it’s important to know that professional goals are different from personal goals. While personal goals are connected to maintaining health, happiness, relationship, and well-being, professional goals are related to accomplishments in education and work. Your long-term personal and professional goals may lead to interdependent or even contradictory results, so it is important to prioritize and set clear milestones beforehand to achieve the best possible results. People who have clear career aspirations spend their time wisely and are guided to accomplish necessary milestones to reach their ultimate goals. For starters, here are some benefits of clarifying your job goals before and after a job search: Before a job search, you want to:Think about the challenges and growth that the next opportunity will bring you, not just better a title or salary package.Find a job that aligns with your passion and interests that would fuel your well-being at work.Seek out ways to improve your current skill set to apply for better job opportunities.After getting the job:Identify your professional values and give priorities to what matters for your work-related goals.You will feel motivated to do your job and make the most out of it, sometimes leading to better performance outcomes than what was asked.With measurable and objective goals, you can immediately see the results and decide whether you need more time to complete a goal or move on to the next challenge, which could mean a promotion or a timely job change.What Are Career Goals?Before we get into the intricate details, let’s talk about general meanings. What is the meaning of having career aspirations? How do we define career goals? While most may think of career goals as the dream position or job they want to have, career goals or objectives can also be short-term career goals that will take you to accomplish your long-term career aspirations. Thus, having career goals means determining your desired career path, and recognizing the stepping stones that would take you to your dream role. In general, you could categorize your goals for the future into short-term, mid-term(optional), and long-term goals. Short-term Career Goals These include the skills, experience, or accomplishments achievable in 1 to 1.5 years to help you reach your mid-term career objectives.Some examples of short-term career objectives are:Acquire a new skill or learn a new languageDevelop professional contacts with leaders and influencers in your field Mid-term Career Goals Mid-term career goals define as 3 to 5 years stepping stones that guide you to your long-term professional goals. Some examples of mid-term career goals are:Move to a larger city with more decent job opportunitiesSwitch to a different industry to build experience and gain new skill set Long-term Career Goals These are your vision and mission statements. They are the future state of your career. Long term career goals should sound something like these:Being promoted to managerial roles at your dream companyBecome a CEO of a Fortune 500 company How to Set Career GoalsConsider the following steps when exploring and setting your career aspirations. 1. Conduct thorough self-assessment. Examine your career values, interests, skills, experience, and personality traits to formulate your career goals thoughtfully. One could do this by reflecting upon their academic and work history, finding out the activities that they enjoy the most, and determining the skills and personality traits that enabled them to achieve success. If you get stuck during the process of determining your career development goals, meet up with a career coach or advisor for guidance when assessing your background and planning out your future career. Example:Max, a senior student at college, struggled to map out a career plan that suits him and determine his career plans after graduation. He examined his academic and work history and recalled spending a meaningful summer job shadowing for a clinical social worker and volunteering at hospitals. He enjoyed helping out the clients and monitoring their progress over time. After Max conducted his self-assessment, he listed verbal communication, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making skills as key skills that suited his interests and personality. 2. Consider different career paths. After you’ve created a comprehensive list of personal interests and professional strengths, you can start to brainstorm on the type of career path that fits you, that you can see yourself achieving as your future aspirations. Try taking a career quiz or searching for local or online resources that list out a variety of career options for the particular field(s) that you are interested in. Minimize the list to about 10 careers that you have a strong interest to learn more about. Example:Ann, a freshman seeking a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, is still exploring her options and figuring out the potential careers she wants to pursue. She searched online with “careers for artists” and came down to a list of 5 occupations that she is interested in learning more about including graphic designer, UX/UI designer, illustrator, animator, and photographer. She also found out that many artists acquire additional skill sets in other disciplines for cross-functional opportunities. To diversify her lists, she’s eager to learn more about careers in digital marketing and online teaching as part of her professional career goals. 3. Research your selected career options. The next step is to research in detail the career options you’ve identified and determine if any of them matches your skills, interests, and career values. You can refer to their career journey when setting your own career goals. Some effective ways to get insiders’ perspectives include conducting informational interviews with alumni or people in similar positions on LinkedIn, searching career information online (articles, videos, podcasts), and looking for job shadowing or internship opportunities for occupations that you are most interested in. Example:Jules researched online and read about the careers she identified. She found out some of the occupations she listed don’t quite suit her interests and personality traits, so she narrowed down her career aspirations selections to two main careers: art director and digital marketer. She wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the two careers, so she reached out to a college alumnus and a local professional in each of the fields to learn more about what their day-to-day looks like and how they’ve planned out their careers. 4. Analyze the pros and cons and decide your career aspirations. Once you have a better understanding of the career options worth considering, it’s time to analyze and weigh your options to plan out your future goals. List out the pros and cons of the remaining options and pick the ones that best match your key criteria. Tips on How to Set Professional GoalsOne of the most common ways to set professional goals is to follow the SMART goal framework. To create effective career goals, your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Let’s take a closer look at how to set SMART professional goals: 💡 Be clear and specific about your career aspirations. To become successful, you have to first define what success means to you. Making your career goal as detailed as possible would help you decide whether you have accomplished it or if you need more time. For instance, instead of saying “I want to learn the Japanese language”, you can say, “I will take two years of Japanese language lessons and pass JLPT N2 level.” This will allow you to have a clearer direction of where you want to go and what you want to achieve in terms of your career goals. 💡 Determine how to measure success. As you set your career goals, make sure to come up with a way to measure your success. Success metrics serve as important criteria for measuring your outcomes. Without it, you won’t know when to move on to the next career objective. It could be setting a timeframe or a KPI to your goal. Instead of a subjective statement like “I want to perform better at work this quarter,” put numbers into it by saying “I want to reach $X sales goals this quarter to get a $Y bonus.” 💡 Break goals down into smaller steps. If you keep setting big goals that you can’t achieve in the short run, you will lose the momentum to keep going because you aren’t seeing immediate results and achievements. Rather, make your career goals attainable by breaking your long-term vision into short-term and mid-term goals. This will also prevent you from procrastinating since it is easier to take smaller steps that accumulate to high aims. 💡 Set realistic but challenging goals. Your goals have to be relevant and realistic, yet challenging. The goals you set should make sense to your values and your long-term career aspirations. For instance, it wouldn’t make sense for someone to win a medal in the Olympics when he/she isn’t an athlete at all. A truly effective career development goal should also challenge you to accomplish great things. Set goals that push your limits and contribute to your long-term career goals. 💡 Set a timeline for goals. Plan out a timetable for your goals. With a duration date to accomplish a work-related goal, you will be motivated to keep yourself accountable and on schedule. Setting a goal end date will also prompt you to scrutinize your goals and give enough time for potential roadblocks. Allow room for change and flexibility when giving your goals a due date. If you didn’t complete a goal on time, it doesn’t mean you failed as long as you are moving in the right direction. Professional Development Goals ExamplesOutline Short-term and Long-term Goals for Students ExamplesShort-term and Long-term Goals for FreshersExamples of Professional Nursing GoalsCareer Goals for Accountants ExampleHR Professionals Development GoalsEngineering Career GoalsCareer Aspirations for ManagersCareer Aspirations Examples for Software EngineersCareer Objectives Examples of Social WorkersMarketing Career GoalsFinance Career ObjectivesCustomer Service Career ObjectivesCareer Objectives for Project ManagersExecutive Assistant Career GoalsTeacher Career GoalsCareer Aspirations Examples for LeadershipCareer Goals Examples for Performance ReviewCareer Plan Examples for InternshipCareer Development Plan Examples for Postdoctoral ScholarsShort-term and Long-term Goals in InterviewShort-term and Long-term Goals for Students ExamplesShort-term:Submit all class assignments a week in advanceAchieve good test and participation grades in all coursesGet to know and maintain good relationships with professors and TAs Long-term:Attain a board position in student organization(s) for each academic yearMaintain a GPA above 3.75 and attain Dean’s List each semesterComplete at least 15 credits per semester to graduate on time Short-term and Long-term Goals for Freshers Short-term:Build a LinkedIn profile and hone resume writing and interviewing skillsNetwork and conduct informational interviews with alumni and professionals in the fieldPlan the college courses to take for each year and join professional student organizations to access more information about college and internships Long-term:Acquire internship, volunteer, or job-shadowing opportunitiesSeek out entry-level opportunities to get in-depth hands-on experiencePlan for the time to start preparing for grad school and certifications Examples of Professional Nursing Goals Short-term:Optimize the quality of patient care and increase work efficiencyImprove technical skills by attending in-service trainingEnhance communication and interpersonal skills Long-term:Get nursing certifications or an advanced degree in the next 3 yearsBecome a mentor or nursing advocate to share industry insight outside the organizationContinue self-education through medical newsletters, publications, forums, and networking events Career Goals for Accountants Example Short-term:Attend various training in different aspects of accounting to expand skill setTake management courses to prepare for a higher positionReduce paperwork and improve productivity by transferring all procedures to digital format Long-term:Help create $X new revenue by securing additional $Y financingCreate new policies and procedures that help reduce the average invoice processing timeObtain primary credentials including passing the CPA exam in the next 2 years HR Professionals Development Goals Short-term:Boost the percentage of job openings filled within the expected deadline from 40% to 50% this yearIncrease the annual talent retention rate by 20% this yearPromote good company culture and improve employee satisfaction with rewards and recognition Long-term:Streamline the remote hiring process for greater hiring efficiencyIncrease the number of available onboarding and training programs in the next 2 yearsAchieve an average of over 80% participation rate in team-building activities for the next 3 years Engineering Career Goals Short-term:Work on at least 2 features using Java and PythonTake and pass 1 online course on SQLGet positive feedback from 3 co-workers on technical communication skills Long-term:Become a Senior Software Engineer in the next 2 yearsFix 3 critical-important level bugs as a Senior EngineerMentor a small group of interns or new hires joining the team Career Aspirations for Managers Short-term:Complete all performance reviews within 8 weeks by conducting 6 interview sessions per weekReduce weekly meeting time from 1 hour to 30 minutes each with meeting agenda prepared beforehand to increase efficiencyKeep track of team productivity and achieve quarterly KPIs Long-term:Increase department sales by 20% in the next 2 yearsLaunch 2 new company products in 3 yearsAttend networking sessions each month to keep up with other industry professionals Career Aspirations Examples for Software EngineersLong-term:Get computer security certification this yearDeepen knowledge of additional programming languagesComplete a coding project from start to finish using JavaScript Long-term:Become a team lead in the next two years to manage and solve complex problemsObtain a Master’s degree in software engineering in the next two yearsEarn a promotion to the senior developer within 3 to 5 years Career Objectives Examples of Social Workers Short-term:Utilize project management software to increase administrative work efficiencyFollow-up with two clients each day to establish a better long-term relationshipImplement a tracking plan for clients suffering from alcoholism and review the plan each month Long-term:Join professional organizations to network with other social work professionalsCreate a resource platform to spread awareness about social programs and support available for struggling communitiesIncrease authority in the field to advocate change in social policies Marketing Career Goals Short-term:Increase collaboration with other departments, promotion channels, and externally outside the organizationConnect with customers(interviews, surveys, focus groups, social listening) to deepen market insightsDevelop a good understanding of horizontal marketing functions and their KPIs Long-term:Specialize in one or more specific marketing functionsBecome comfortable setting and managing large marketing budgetsAchieve a managerial position and/or spread influence beyond the organization Finance Career Objectives Short-term:Develop leadership and project management skills during internshipsFind a job as a financial analyst postgraduateOptimize company budget by analyzing recurring costs and reducing company expenses Long-term:Acquire a Master’s degree in Risk ManagementEnroll and pass all three levels of CFA within 4 yearsOpen own financial consulting company at hometown Customer Service Career Objectives Short-term:Increase staffing by 15% for the next budget year by onboarding 3 new call center representatives each monthMaintain an average of 95% customer satisfaction score each quarterBecome compliant with electronic filing requirements by the end of the year Long-term:Increase sales by 5% each year for the next five yearsMaintain Top 5 internal ranking in the next 3 yearsMaster a second language to serve the next prominent customer group Career Objectives for Project Managers Short-term:Prioritize and refine projects backlog for the monthOptimize the communication between the team and each stakeholderDeliver projects within time and budget by keeping track of all the progress information in digital format Long-term:Being promoted to Senior Project ManagerGain a strategic understanding of organizational goals and implement relevant initiativesBuild both internal and external networks and get buy-ins from long-term stakeholder relationships Executive Assistant Career Goals Short-term:Make sure all meetings are scheduled in time each week and prevent any time conflict from happeningStay organized with all work messages and updates by dedicating 15 minutes each day to clear out any clusters or unclear to-do itemsImprove technical skills on office computer systems Long-term:Work proactively and provide effective problem-solving skills when accidents happen or when there’s a sudden change in scheduleBeing promoted to Senior Executive Assistant in 2 yearsGet a Master’s degree in Business in 2 years Teacher Career Goals Short-term:Plan and revise the curriculum for next semester to comply with remote learning requirementsTeach a new course under the same departmentSuccessfully manage 3 courses of over 50 students with a TA this semester Long-term:Complete a Master’s degree in education administration in 2 yearsBuild a strong network with regional and international professors, educators, and lecturersBecome department head in the next 5 years Career Aspirations Examples for LeadershipShort-term:Develop strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking skillsMeet up individually with each person in the team to discuss their career goals and provide effective feedback this weekPlan and set milestones for the month and ask for team feedback Long-term:Become familiar with multiple project management tools and stick to a few necessary ones to streamline the task tracking processAccept more responsibilities by managing a department in the next 2 yearsPractice listening to diverse feedback and solving them when making decisions Career Goals Examples for Performance Review Short-term:Collect at least 5 business cards from new networks at every networking eventSchedule meetings with other managers that might be interested in investing in your organizationRevamp the office environment to improve employee productivity Long-term:Improve communication channels across all departments with a better all-in-one communication platformOffer live assistance to customers through phone calls and direct messagesHost monthly educational events for employees on topics of interests Career Plan Examples for Internship Short-term:Learn how to build professional presentations (storyboard, design, copywriting, etc.)Gain a working knowledge of Excel data manipulation, formulas, and modeling techniquesLearn to conduct online market research with Google Analytics Long-term:Hone the ability to connect with co-workers and managersNetwork with other like-minded studentsBuild relationships with supervisors who can serve as career advisers or future reference Career Development Plan Examples for Postdoctoral Scholars Short-term:Write and submit a draft of the review article to the mentors by the end of the monthApply for a fellowship by the deadlineAttend the professional skills development workshop next month Long-term:Chair multiple sessions of international meetingsAdvise graduate students for their thesesSeek a tenure-track faculty position at a college or university Short-term and Long-term Goals in Interview Short-term:“I will plan the video contents for the month and compose 1 script per week.”“My goal is to earn $100K this year as a manager with flexible work hours to put more time in networking and self-education.”“I want to improve my productivity by prioritizing the work and reducing the time spent on replying to emails and setting schedules.” Long-term:“My long-term career goal is to lead a regional sales team into the most competitive team in the organization with millions of annual sales in three years.”“I will work my way up the corporate ladder to become a senior executive at your organization.”“I will pursue a Master’s degree in Business Management in the next two years.” 🔑 Key Takeaways:In this article, we’ve walked through the ways to define career goals, steps to develop professional goals, tips to follow the SMART framework when creating career goals, and career objective examples for different roles and scenarios. While it may seem like a difficult and time-consuming process, having your career goals ready before you apply or accept another convenient job offer would help you make efficient decisions for your career.With Cake, you can easily create a resume online, free download your resume’s PDF formats, and utilize ATS-compliant templates to create a resume. Land your dream job, create your resume online (free download) now!Create resume --- Originally written by Sandy Tuo ---

Created by CakeIn this article, we'll walk you through:What is Job Shadowing?How to Job ShadowTips for a Successful Job Shadowing ExperienceJob Shadow Request Sample LetterFor young adults or career changers seeking to enter an industry, classrooms often don’t have much to offer. There are times when shadowing a professional can teach you more than a textbook can. A job shadow, or career shadowing, gives you a peek at “what it’s like to be” do a certain job. To shadow someone at work means following and observing a professional during their typical workday. For example, students who study computer science can do engineering shadowing. Students who study nursing or physiotherapy can also go to the hospital to job shadow a physical therapist or a nurse. Common Job Shadowing Examples:Observing interviews and recruitment (HR shadowing)Observe workflow and communicationObserving meetings and presentations with clientComplete office tasks and supporting workFollowing hospital care procedures and communication policyLearning about the policies and SOPs of officesLearning about the missions and goals of the organization The experience of shadowing a professional can be insightful and helpful. You get to determine if you are suitable for the job or reflect on the skills needed to do the work. What is Job Shadowing?💼 Job Shadowing Definition Job shadowing is a learning method that allows a learner to observe someone in their work routine or practices. In a short period, the learner can understand the tasks and responsibilities of that employee and the requirements to take on similar roles. Although most job shadowing opportunities and shadow programs are open to college or high school students, it’s also possible for adults to job shadow as well. Virtual job shadowing is a relatively new way of business shadowing. You will use online connections or join video conferences to observe employees throughout job shadow day. The benefit of virtual job shadowing is that you can reach offices thousands of miles away. It also costs less effort to organize and take part in. 💼 Benefits of Job Shadowing 1. Help you explore your interest and passion Job shadowing is a practical and helpful way to determine whether you’d be passionate about a job by showing you its reality. You can also ask questions to get a deeper understanding of the job to know whether the job interests you. 2. Help you decide your career path Joining a shadow program helps you decide whether the job is a career you'd like to pursue since you get chances to ask questions directly to employees and understand the job from their point of view. You can even get a couple of valuable resumes and interview tips. 3. Help develop network Job shadowing gives you a chance to develop a network in your interested career field. The professionals you meet are useful resources in the future. If you build good relationships with them, they might be willing to answer more questions, or even do an informational interview with you, after your job shadow program. How to Job ShadowChoose an industry you’re interested in.Research jobs and companies that interest you.Find the right person to contact.Draft a job shadowing request email.Prepare for job shadowing.Write a thank-you note. Here’s how you should prepare for job shadowing to get the most of it. ✨ Choose an industry you’re interested in. Consider the field you do a job shadow wisely. College students likely have an idea or two about their desired careers. High school students who haven’t given their careers much thought can start by brainstorming what piqued their interest and what skills they have and would like to have in the future. Tools like Career Aptitude Test can also help you to figure out which shadow program to join or possible industries for job shadowing. ✨ Research jobs and companies that interest you. It’s essential to get a basic idea about the job before you job shadow. Do some basic desk research about the company or the person you are job shadowing.Knowing the company’s culture and goals are just the basics of preparing for a successful career shadowing. Having a context of what the person is doing will make your business shadowing experience much more insightful. ✨ Find the right person to contact. There are several ways to connect with a professional to arrange a job shadow.For students, start by contacting teachers, school counselors, professors, or career centers about present shadow programs and companies that offer job shadowing. If there aren’t any, they might even be willing to share personal contact or set up connections for you. Another way is to contact the company’s human resources or public relations office. You can email the department to ask about potential job shadowing opportunities or call their company to understand which department can discuss this job shadowing chance with you. ✨ Draft a job shadowing request email. After you’ve reached out to the right people, it’s time to write a formal request email. To make a positive first impression, make sure your job shadow request email is clear, brief, and polite. Proofread your email before clicking the send button.To start your letter, greet the person politely. Concisely introduce yourself and explain your intention. Ask for a chance to job shadow, or if they can introduce you to anyone who might have job shadowing opportunities. End the letter by expressing your gratitude for their time.Your first letter doesn’t guarantee a work shadow opportunity. Therefore, move on to the next company until you find a professional willing to let you shadow them at work.We provide you with a job shadowing request email sample at the end of this article. ✨ Prepare for job shadowing. Once you find a professional that accepts your request, ask them about their expectations of you. For instance, when and how long you will be there, the precise location, and information about the person you will shadow.Before the scheduled job shadowing, take time to think of questions you’d like to ask that would help you gain first-hand experience about the job that you wish to pursue in the future.10 questions to ask when job shadowing:How would you describe your company’s culture?What makes this company unique and different?What is your company’s current and next goal?What is your favorite/least favorite part about working here?What are the most important skills for this role?What can I do now to prepare and get into this career?What are the essential characteristics of doing this job successfully?What motivates you to come to work?How did you get into this field?How did you advance to this job role title? Lastly, dress in formal attire, turn off phone notifications and use a notepad to stay focused and attentive during work shadow. ✨ Write a thank-you note. Remember to send a thank-you email to the professionals whom you shadow at work. Express your gratitude and let them know what you’ve learnd from this job shadowing experience. Stay connected with the person you shadow, if possible. Cherishing the invaluable network you develop is also crucial for a successful career. Tips for a Successful Job Shadowing Experience🎯 Be prepared. Being well prepared is fundamental if you want to get the most out of this job shadowing event. By thoroughly researching beforehand, you save precious time for the professional and yourself on the job shadow day.You can do so by browsing the company website’s “About” page, media coverage, and LinkedIn news. In addition, check out the profile of the professional you’ll be shadowing. You can get an idea of their career path and skills before your business shadowing. 🎯 Ask for an office tour. A workplace tour can give you a sense of how the company office is organized, how colleagues interact, the everyday atmosphere, or working hours. If you would like an office tour, reach out to your contact and ask if it is possible before the job shadow day. 🎯 Show initiative. Job shadowing is short compared to an internship or a part-time job. To enjoy your shadow program fully, you need to be proactive. For instance, you can ask to perform simple tasks or help with daily responsibilities to learn about the skills. 🎯 Be polite and greet everyone you meet. While you are career shadowing, be polite with other employees in the office. Greet them politely and introduce yourself briefly to leave a good impression. Let them know you’re here as a work shadow. 🎯 Take notes. Don’t forget to document things you’ve learned in the work shadowing or scribble down additional questions that pop up. So you can remember the valuable information and at the same time, show that you are a learner. Job Shadow Request Sample Letter Subject Line: Job Shadow Opportunity Inquiry - Leslie Lee from Bedford HighDear Ms. Kaur, I am Leslie Lee, a senior year student from Bedford High School, and I am trying to decide on my university major and exploring career possibilities. I am interested in pursuing nursing due to my passion for medical services and caring for others. I found your email via your colleague Sarah and decided to reach out. Your hospital shares a great reputation in the field, and I'd really like to observe how professional nurses in hospitals work. I believe the experience of job shadowing a nurse will be informational and inspring. Would you be open to letting me work shadowing a nurse for a few days to a week? If so, please let me know what time and day would be more convenient for you. I am available the entire of July. I look forward to hearing and learning from you, and thank you for your time! Sincerely,Leslie Lee With Cake’s resume builder tool, resume templates and resume examples, you could showcase your best qualifications to land your dream job. Try making a resume online (free download) now!Create CV--- Originally written by Wu Chao Min ---

Created by CakeWe all have been there.You have just sent your resume to a company you are very interested in. A couple of days, or even weeks, have passed. You are starting to feel anxious, waiting for a response. Should you do a job application follow-up? When should you follow up on a job application? How to follow up on your job application Do not worry about it! In this article, we will go over why, when, and how to follow up on a job application while also providing follow up email examples. You can either write a follow up email or make a follow up phone call (keep in mind that most recruiters prefer a job application follow-up email). Its purpose is to check your status after you submit your resume. While it’s not usually required, it can help you reinforce your interest in a position. Additionally, if successfully done, it can bring extra attention to your application, given your extra effort. However, to avoid overstepping, make sure you pay attention to the following pieces of advice on how to follow up after sending a resume (whether you send your resume via email or directly on job listing sites, or company's websites). TABLEOFCONTENTHow to Follow Up on a Job ApplicationTips on How to Follow Up on a Job ApplicationHow to Follow Up on a Job Application – SamplesJob Application Follow Up Email Template How to Follow Up on a Job ApplicationThere are several approaches you could take to make a job application follow-up. Each has pros and cons you need to consider. Read the following guidelines to understand which one fits you best and what to do after applying for a job: ✉️ How to Write a Follow Up Email for a Job Application You might be excited to move towards your new dream job. Alternatively, you might be so nervous that you cannot even sleep. It is acceptable to send a follow up email after applying for a position if enough time has passed. Sending an email is usually the best way to do a job application follow-up. Especially because recruiters like to keep a record of your interactions just in case they need them. Additionally, they can get back to you as soon as they have some free time. However, it also has some disadvantages. If you do not send it at the right time, it can get buried under tons of other emails. Moreover, if you need a quick response (perhaps you have another job offer), sending a follow-up email after a job application might not fit your needs. 📞 How to Follow Up on a Job Application by Phone Other than sending an email asking for an update on a job application, you can call to check on a job after applying to inquire about your application status. Making a follow-up call can help you remind the recruiter that you have applied for the position. Moreover, it shows that you are willing to take the extra step to demonstrate your interest in the company. Nonetheless, making a phone call can be nerve-wracking to many. To avoid forgetting the questions you want to ask, you should make a list of what to say when following up on a job application to keep your call brief and effective. On the other hand, not all recruiters are open to receiving a job application follow-up call. Make sure you double-check the job listing to see if it’s ok to call them. Otherwise, you will come across as impolite, pushy, and even needy. Therefore, when a company does not want applicants contacting them, you need to respect them. 🧑🏻‍💻 How to Follow Up on a Job Application on LinkedIn Social media platforms, especially LinkedIn, provide incredible tools for job seekers. Many companies post their job listings regularly on LinkedIn. You can apply directly through and contact HR through the website. Therefore, you need to know how to reach out to a recruiter after applying on LinkedIn.; It is not important whether you applied through LinkedIn or traditional venues. Most of the time, you will find the hiring manager’s profile on LinkedIn. Does that mean you should message to recruiter after applying for a job? Well, there are some things you still need to consider. First, make sure it is ok to contact them beyond their traditional platforms. Additionally, your LinkedIn profile needs to be updated and active. Otherwise, it can harm your application. If you decide it is a good idea to do your job application follow-up on LinkedIn, we recommend you follow the company’s profile. It will allow you to be up to date with the company’s projects. Additionally, it reinforces your interest in the position, too. You can also add the recruiter to keep in touch with them. 💁🏻 How to Follow Up on a Job Application in Person While this can be more time-consuming than sending a follow-up email after submitting a resume, it is also a more personal way to do a job application follow-up. There is something good to this old-school approach. You can get your face and name on the employer’s mind and shows them how serious you are about the position. If things go your way, the recruiter can even decide to invite you to an interview, so be prepared! However, remember that it is very different from sending a follow-up email after a job application. First of all, you need to dress to impress! Wear an attire you would wear for a job interview. You will need to make a positive first impression, as it is probably how the hiring manager will remember you. Furthermore, keep in mind that most of the time, big companies won’t allow people to enter their premises, at least not without an appointment. Make sure that you know they will welcome you if you go. Perhaps, you need to find someone who can connect you with the hiring manager if you intend to follow up on your job application in person. Tips on How to Follow Up on a Job ApplicationFind the right person to contact.Keep it professional and brief.Follow up at the right time.Show your interest in the role.Highlight your qualifications.Express your gratitude. Regardless of which approach you choose the following tips are great for you to learn what to do after applying for a job. 1. Find the right person to contact. Whether you are wondering if you should send a follow-up letter after your application or if a job application follow-up call might suit you better, one thing is certain. Finding out who to reach is one of the most important steps before you even begin. While you might want to send an email to the hiring manager after applying rather than the HR department, you don’t always have their email address. It is a good idea to double-check the job listing. If you’re lucky, the information will be right there. Nonetheless, if it’s not available, you can visit the company’s website or LinkedIn profile to find the information you need.2. 2. Keep it professional and brief. Even if you have been in touch with the hiring manager for a while, you should still maintain a professional and respectful way of communication - especially when you want to make a job application follow-up. It’s always a great idea to start your interaction by thanking the recruiter for their time and effort. Additionally, bear in mind to keep your message brief and clear. Hiring managers and recruiters are very busy people. Consequently, brevity is something they appreciate. Whether you are making a phone call, paying a visit, or sending an email to the recruiter after applying. Your job application follow-up inquiry should focus on two things: reinforcing your interest in the position and asking about when you should expect to hear about the following phase. 3. Follow up at the right time. When deciding how to ask for an update on a job application, take timing into consideration. If you want to know the best time to send a follow-up email after applying for a job, or in general, when to get in touch with a company to inquire about your status, you need to consider many factors. First, hiring managers need to take some time to review the applications before getting back to each applicant. Many suggest waiting for one to two weeks before sending a follow-up email (unless the job listing includes the closing window, which gives you the perfect target date to do it). Moreover, avoid sending your job application status email or making your phone call on a Monday or a Friday. Mondays tend to be the busiest days in offices with regular schedules, as people are trying to catch up with a weekend’s amount of work. On the other hand, if you send your email on a Friday, you are risking it to get buried under a whole weekend’s worth of emails. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are your best options to email the recruiter after applying. 4. Show your interest in the role After considering how soon should you follow up on a job application, you need to think of the content you want to cover. Figuring out what to say when following up on a job application can be hard. One of the things you do is to reinforce your interest in the position. A good way to show them your interest, when following up on a job application, is to ask them whether you need to send them any additional information, such as portfolios or pre-interview tasks. Show your willingness to help make their job easier! 5. Highlight your qualifications. No matter how you are making your job application follow-up, you should always try your best to briefly mention why you are a good candidate for the job.You can even add some new achievements or qualifications you managed to attain after sending your application if you think they can help your application. By correctly doing this step, you might help the hiring manager and improve your chances of moving to the following phase. 6. Express your gratitude. Never - and we cannot stress this enough - never send your job application follow-up email without letting recruiters know that you are thankful for their time and dedication. The same applies to other means of communication, through which you decide to follow up on a job application. Such a small gesture can impress recruiters and show how you fit corporate etiquette.How to Follow Up on a Job Application – SamplesBefore sending out emails and making phone calls, we suggest looking at these job-status inquiry email samples. We provide examples of what to say when following up on a job application by phone, message, or in person. 🖋 Sample Follow-Up Email for a Job Application If you are going to email the recruiter after applying, remember to keep the email short, and to talk about your relevant skills. Check this job status inquiry email sample: Email Subject: Following up on Project Manager applicationHello Mr. Mario,I’m writing to inquire about the application I submitted on March 10th for the project manager position advertised on your company’s LinkedIn page. I wish to confirm you received my application and reinforce my interest in this position.I’ve been looking for a position at your company for a while. I think that my values align with your company’s values. Moreover, my international background and years of experience as a project manager are a great match for what your company requires. I hope I get a chance to go over them with you. Thank you for dedicating your time to reviewing my application.Best,Lincoln Dragmire0909123456 🖋 Sample Follow-Up Email for an Internship Application If you are still a student, you might be wondering how to write a follow-up email for an internship. We suggest you focus on how your academic background supports your application. Do take a look at this sample on how to send follow up email after applying for an internship Email Subject: Customer service internship - Application for Lincoln DragmireHello Mr. Mario,I would like to follow up on my application to make sure you received my resume, and let you know I am very interested in starting my career as a customer service representative in your company.I am currently in the last year of my business administration bachelor program. I would be honored to learn from you and be of use to your company. Please do not hesitate to inform me if I need to provide any additional documentation. Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely,Lincoln Dragmire0909123456 🖋 Sample Job Application Follow-Up Call If you choose to make a job application follow-up call, the following sample might be helpful to you. Hello, this is Lincoln Dragmire, and I am an applicant for the project management position. Is now a convenient time for us to talk? Of course, you’ll have to wait for their response. And you might have to follow your guts. However, we recommend you try to cover the same points as the following example: I am calling to reiterate my interest in the position. I applied on March 10th, and I am still excited about working for your company. My years of project management experience make me an excellent candidate for this position. Please, contact me at 0909123456 or [email protected] if you need any additional documents or information to process my application. Make sure to be polite when finishing the conversation: Thank you again for your time and consideration. 🖋 Sample Follow-Up Message for a Job Application Alternatively, if you are wondering how to check the status of a job application by sending a message (for instance through LinkedIn), you can follow this example: Hello Mario,I have been following your company for a few months. I was delighted to find the opening for Project Manager yesterday. I applied through the link you provided in the job listing. However, I hope it is okay to send you a request to stay connected.Please let me know if you need additional information. I hope you can look at my profile. You will see that I am a good fit for your company.Thanks,Lincoln 🖋 Sample In-Person Job Application Follow-Up Conversation Script Similarly to making a phone call, you’ll have to wait for the hiring manager’s response to guide your conversation. However, if you are not sure about what to say when following up on a job application in person, we recommend you try to cover the same points as the following example: Hello Mr. Mario. Thank you for accepting to see me today. I am Lincoln Dragmire, an applicant for the project management position I applied for on March 10th.I am here today to show you my interest in the position. I am excited about working for your company. I would love to have the chance to go on an interview to explain how my years of project management experience make me an excellent candidate for this position.Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. If you need any other documents from my side, please do not hesitate to reach me. My phone number is 0909123456. Have a nice day! Job Application Follow Up Email TemplateFeel free to use the following template as a base to build up yours if you still don’t feel confident enough after reading the templates we provided in the previous section and are still wondering how to send a follow-up email after an application. Email Subject: Following up on [Job title] application.Hello/Good morning/Afternoon [Hiring manager’s name],I’m writing to inquire about the application I submitted on March 10th for the [Job title] position. I want to confirm that you received my application and reiterate my interest in this position.I’ve been looking for a position at [Company name] for a while. I think that my values align with the company’s values. Moreover, my [relevant work experience/qualifications] are a great match for what your company requires. I look forward to having the opportunity to deeply explain why to you. Thank you for dedicating your time to reviewing my application.Regards,[Your name][Your contact information (Phone number, LinkedIn profile)]Cake provides the best resume builder and resume templates to help you create the perfect resume for your job hunt. Take your career journeyto new heights - create a resume online (free download) now!Create CV--- Originally written by Roger Rene Ortega Figueroa---

Resigning is a big move and when you must send your resignation message to your boss, you’ll want to do it right. Whether you are writing a resignation letter due to a family reason, landing a new job, taking a sabbatical, or simply no longer wanting to work at your current company, a resignation letter or so-call “quit jobs’ letter” is essential in wrapping up your time at your current workplace.Thinking of what to include and who to send your job resignation letter to can be daunting; however, writing your official resignation letter to your manager does not need to be difficult, as we have formal resignation letter and email samples for you to follow! By following the steps below, writing a professional resignation letter for your company will be easier than you thought.By following the steps below, writing a professional resignation letter for your company will be easier than you thought. TABLE OF CONTENTSHow to Write a Resignation Letter?Dos and Don’ts for Writing a Professional Resignation LetterResignation Letter ChecklistSample Resignation Letters to Employers How to Write a Resignation Letter?Write a clear subject line Your employment resignation letter will be sent to your HR department or manager. In order to maintain formality and prompt clear communication, your subject line for your resignation email should explicitly state that you are resigning. A short, clear subject line includes your name and states that you are resigning, for example: [Your Name] – Notice of ResignationResignation Letter: [Your Name, Company Department] The resignation letter itself will outline the details. Address the right person Whether it is a detailed or short resignation letter, it is a formal document. Formal resignation emails or letters include the name, address and date for both you and the recipient at the top of the letter, and a resignation letter is no different. The format of a resignation letter should follow that of a formal letter. You need to send your quitting letter to the person in your company who is responsible for handling resignations. Find your HR representatives’ names, managers’ names, or if you can’t find either, use one of these to start your resignation letter: “Attn: Human Resources”“To whom this might concern” Addressing your resignation letter to HR or your manager is an important part of workplace formality and should be included in your resignation email as well. State the purpose of your letter concisely Although the term “resignation letter” sounds like it should include a lengthy explanation, in reality, your resignation letter should be clear and concise. Resignation letters are also known as a “notice of resignation”, and should be exactly that – a notice.To communicate this, you should simply state it is a notice of resignation from your role within the company. Specify the effective date Date the resignation letter for the same day you send the letter in your resignation email – including the day of the week, date, month and year. Check your employment contract or company policy to see how much notice you need to give. For most companies, it’s two weeks – include your last day of employment in the letter. “Please accept this letter of resignation from the [Job Title] role at [Company Name], effective [Date], with my last day of employment being [Date].” Provide the reason for your resignation (optional) Once you have sent your resignation email, there is not much your employer can do to stop you from leaving. Your reason for resignation can be as detailed or as vague as you like.Here is an example of what you can write for the reason for your resignation:“I have decided to leave this position to pursue new opportunities.” You don’t need to discuss pay or your new employer in your notice of resignation. If you are uncomfortable with providing a reason in your resignation letter, you don’t have to include one.📚Further reading:Top 10 Good Reasons for Leaving a Job How to Explain Express your willingness to help with the transition If you would like to make your resignation letter sound professional, offering to assist in the administration such as paperwork or meetings can show your professionalism. It can also make sure you leave the company on good terms.HR might not need the assistance; however it provides your resignation letter with an overall friendly tone. If it feels unnatural to include in the resignation letter itself, you can always add it into the body of your resignation email. Sign off the letter with contact information This is an important part of your resignation letter and email. If you have a company-issued email, you might not be able to access it once you leave the company, or, HR might want to call you to discuss your transition plan. Therefore, at the conclusion of your resignation letter, you can include your contact if HR wishes to reach you. “If you would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me on XX-XXX-XXX, or at my email [email protected].” Alternatively, you can include your phone and email after you have signed off your resignation letter, as a part of your signature. Dos and Don’ts for Writing a Professional Resignation Letter Created by CakeDOs:Check your employment contract carefullyYour employment contract is important to reference when writing your resignation letter to avoid any legal troubles. Contracts often specify the timeframe for notices of resignation. As mentioned above, it is typically two weeks’ notice.Also if you’re leaving due to unfair treatment or pay disputes, make sure to go over your contract again to see if there’s any way that you can be compensated. Thank your employeRegardless of if you enjoyed your job, your resignation letter should always include a polite “thank you” for the support and opportunities you received while employed. An example for a thank you note might look like the following:“Thank you for the opportunities you have provided for me during my time at [Company].”Maintaining gratitude and politeness is necessary especially in corporate environments, where you might need to reach out to old employers to use as references. Once again, if this feels unnatural to include in the notice of resignation itself, you can always include it when sending your resignation email.Be proactive in tying up loose endsAs mentioned before, expressing willingness to help with your transition in your resignation letter will allow you to leave your current employer on a positive note.There are things to be done after you send out your resignation email. You might need to return company property, such as a laptop, car, uniform or keys. Likewise, you might have leave or bonuses pending which will need to be paid out or awarded to you before you leave.Putting a call to action in your notice of resignation will provide both you and HR with a chance to strengthen things up before you leave: “I would be more than happy to meet to discuss my decision with you, as well as to organize the return of my company-issued laptop.” DON’Ts:Don’t vent your frustrationLeaving a job due to unfair treatment, poor management or pay, stress or workload can be very emotionally taxing. Resigning from a job is usually the last straw, and can bring up frustration and resentment. It is important that you do not include these emotions in your notice of resignation. Exit interviews are commonly used by HR for a short discussion with employees upon receiving their letters of resignation. You can calmly and professionally discuss your reasons for resigning in an exit interview if you feel it is appropriate.In your resignation letter, you can prompt HR to discuss reasons for resigning via a meeting or phone call. Being brief is the key to a resignation letter—additionally, it is an important document which will be saved by HR for administrative purposes, so it is important to have a professional sounding resignation letter. The purpose of your resignation letter is to explain, not complain! Don’t over explain or go into detailsNo matter the reason you are leaving your job, you don’t provide a novel-length explanation in your resignation letter. The HR or your manager don’t have the time to read it. Blaming others, complaining, explaining frustrations in detail and recounting particular incidents are not to be included in your resignation letter. Make the HR’s job easier by sending a succinct notice of resignation. Don’t be informal or immatureEven if your workplace was informal, it is important to maintain formality in your resignation letter. Your resignation letter can be brief but should be properly written, attached to a resignation email containing a few sentences in the body of the email. Never send an attachment, especially a resignation letter, in an empty email! Although you might not plan to use the company as a reference, maintaining professionalism is still the best practice. Avoid name-calling, swearing, insults, jokes or passive-aggressive comments in your resignation letter or email. Not only will your coworkers and management not appreciate it, but it will also reflect poorly on you as well. And that's it! Resignation letters are simply a way to notify your HR that you’ll be leaving. Use the resignation letter example and checklist below as a template to write your own!Resignation Letter ChecklistHere’s a checklist for you to make sure you’ve got everything when you write your resignation letter.Has an appropriate and clear subject lineIncludes your own and your recipients’ detailsAddressed to appropriate HR representatives or managersStates purpose as a formal letter of resignationSpecifies effective dateInforms last day of employmentGives brief reason for resignation (optional)Expresses willingness to help with the transitionIncludes a thank you to the employer for the opportunityHas your signature with contact information Sample Resignation Letters to EmployersSample Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons, Effective Immediately [Your name][Address][Date] To: [HR Manager’s Name]HR Manager[Company Name][Company Address] Attn: [HR Representative’s or Manager’s Name] Please accept this letter as formal notice of resignation from [Position Title] at [Company Name], effective immediately as of [Date], with my last day of employment being [Date]. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I believe I am no longer able to satisfy the requirements of [Position Title]. It would be in both mine and the company’s best interests if I vacate the role. I would like to thank the team at [Company Name] for providing me with support and opportunities during my employment. If there is anything I could do to assist with the transition from the role, I would gladly help. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss this further. You can contact me by phone on XX-XXX-XX or on my personal email [email protected] Kind Regards,[Your Name] Resignation Letter Due to Mental Health Dear HR Manager,Please accept this letter as a formal notice of resignation from [Job Title] at [Company Name], effective [Date], with my last day of employment on the [Date]. I submit this letter with hesitation as I believe the direction the company wishes to continue with management strategies is incompatible with my own goals and professional growth. I believe my skills and expertise would thrive under alternative management circumstances, and therefore have decided to move on from [Job Position] at [Company Name]. I thank all staff and managers at [Company Name] for providing me with opportunities and insight in the [Industry/Field]. I wish the company great success in the future. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss my decision in more detail. Additionally, please let me know how I can assist with my exit from [Company Name], particularly the return of entrance keys and company-issued computer. Kind Regards,[Your Name] [email protected]XX-XXX-XXX Resignation Letter due to Unhappiness with Management Dear [Manager’s Name], Please accept this notice of resignation from [Job Title] at [Company Name], effective [Date]. My last day of employment at [Company Name] will therefore be the [Date]. Due to the severity of my recent mental health diagnosis, I have decided that I will need to step away from the commitments of full-time employment in order to seek treatment. I intend to achieve a full or functional recovery before seeking employment again, and therefore believe that the role of [Job Title] would be better suited to an employee who can confidently handle the commitment. I would like to express gratitude to all the staff at [Company Name] for the support during my role and especially during this difficult period of my life. I wish the company great success in the future. If I can provide any assistance with the changeover of this role before my employment ends, I would be more than able to help. Let me know if you would like to discuss this further, please feel free to contact me. Regards,[Your Name] [email protected]XX-XX-XXX Resignation letter for Health Reasons Dear [Manager’s Name] Please accept this letter as a formal notice of resignation from [Company Name] as a [Job Title], effective as of [Date]. My last day of employment is the [Date]. Due to my recent [Diagnosis/Deterioration] of [Health Issue], I have decided to make my health a priority and seek appropriate care. I therefore believe I am not able to fulfill the objectives of the [Job Position] role and believe that it would be in the best interests of myself and the company if the responsibilities of the [Job Position] role were handled by an employee more suited to the role. The current projects I have been assigned are on-track to be completed before my end of employment. I am more than happy to help with this transition before the end of my employment if necessary. Likewise, if you wish to discuss the return of company equipment and permits, please do not hesitate to contact me. I extend my gratitude to the whole team at [Company Name] during this phase of my life, as well as during my employment. I wish the team great success in the future. Regards,[Your Name] [email protected]XX-XXX-XXX Resignation Letter Due to Stressful Work Environment Attn: [HR Manager] Please accept this letter as a formal notice of resignation from the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. This letter is effective as of [Date] and my last day of employment will be the [Date]. I reluctantly end my employment with [Company Name] as I believe that the work culture promoted within [Company Name/Department Name] is incompatible with my work ethos and I feel as though my potential would be better explored through other opportunities. I wish to thank the team at [Company Name] for providing guidance and support during my employment. I am thankful for the experience I have gained in the [Industry/Field]. Please feel free to arrange a time to meet if you would like to discuss this further. Regards,[Your Name] [email protected]XX-XXX-XXX Resignation Letter Due to Unfair Treatment Attn: [HR Manager]Please accept this letter as formal notification of resignation from [Job Title] at [Company Name], effective [Date]. My last day of employment will officially be [Date]. After much deliberation, I find the work culture and management dynamics unacceptable, and no longer feel content with working at [Company Name]. The treatment of employees is not conducive to professional or personal development, and therefore I believe my expertise and experience would be appreciated in an environment where they can be appropriately handled. I thank [Company Name] for the opportunity in spite of this. If you would like to discuss it further, do not hesitate to arrange a meeting. Regards,[Your Name] [email protected]XX-XXX-XXX Hopefully, these resignation letter and email formats, templates and examples can help you build yours. Feel free to adjust your leaving job letter based on your experience and company culture. Last but not least, do remember to check the format and content of your resignation letter carefully to make sure it’s polished and solid before sending it out.Cake is a free resume maker and portfolio builder that provides hundreds of resume templates (free download) and various job resume examples to help showcase the best you. Landing your dream job will be a piece of cake!Create Resume--- Originally written by Bronte McNamara---

Created by CakeIn this article, we'll cover: What Is a Counter Offer Letter?Benefits of a Counter Offer LetterHow to Write an Counter Offer LetterTips for Writing a Perfect Counter Offer LetterCounter Offer Letter ExampleCounter Offer Letter TemplateHave you ever found yourself in a situation where a new job offer didn’t meet your expectations at all? Your prospective employer may offer below market-value salary, inadequate benefits and facilities, or unbearably limited vacation days leave. These situations are when a counter offer letter may be helpful for you to further negotiate the initial offer you received! When drafting a counter offer letter, many applicants struggle with expressing their wants in a clear and appropriate manner. Many job seekers fear that writing a counter offer letter may unintentionally displease the hiring manager and they might lose the new job completely. However, a properly researched and well-written offer negotiation letter can help your prospective employer redetermine your value and accept your more satisfactory counter offer. So, first and foremost, it is essential to understand the definition and purpose of a counter offer letter. Then, it is as important to learn how to properly construct a great one. Let’s start by knowing what a counter offer letter really is! What Is a Counter Offer Letter?A job counter offer letter, sometimes referred to as an offer negotiation letter, is a letter written by a job applicant to the hiring manager in response to an unsatisfactory job offer. In the letter, the applicant clearly expresses their interest towards the offered job. However, statements of wanting to negotiate other terms that come with the job such as salary, benefits and other compensation are also added in a counter offer letter. An employer can react to the counter offer by accepting it, rejecting it, or proposing a new offer. Benefits of a Counter Offer LetterAlthough discussing a counter offer can also be done by having an in-person negotiation with your employer, which at certain times can also be conducted via phone call, a job offer negotiation email can have several distinct benefits: 1. Less nerve-wracking for more verbally anxious individuals. Counter offers can also be proposed directly to your employer - some people schedule in-person meetings to discuss their counter offers. However, not everyone finds this situation desirable. More verbally anxious individuals might prefer a less socially daunting setting to minimize script blunders. Sending a counter offer letter might be a less-stressful approach for them! 2. Elaborate your thoughts in more detail. Writing a counter offer letter allows you to translate your thoughts more thoroughly. It gives you the freedom to include more detail, depth, and support without having to worry about interference from your employer, compared to when you are proposing a counter offer face-to-face. Additionally, you edit your counter offer email draft as many times as you wish before sending it. 3. Create an easily tracked paper trail. If you propose your counter offer by sending a counter offer letter, an easily tracked paper trail will be formed. When you clearly mention your proposed counter offer with details in your letter, both you and your employer can refer back to that counter offer when needed. To make your letter even clearer, don’t forget to properly structure and label everything in your counter offer letter! Additionally, because a letter or email is documented, you can avoid misconceptions that may arise in the future. The bottom line is, a properly written offer negotiation email allows you to remind the manager of your competence and why you are worth the counter offer you proposed. If you successfully negotiate with the hiring manager, you can get the pay, facilities and enough days off you deserve! How to Write an Counter Offer LetterReady to write one of your own? Here are 5 fool-proof steps on how to write a counter offer letter:Decide on a counter offer. A reason or two must lay behind your dissatisfaction towards the initial offer that was put forward in the first place. This may be because the offered salary is below the local average salary for your position, your previous company secured better insurance coverage and other possible reasons. To decide on a reasonable counter offer, you could research:The average salary and benefits of the positionThe average salary and benefits in your area or city (to cover living costs)The average salary and benefits that come with your years of experience, certifications or set of skillsThe average salary and benefits of workers in the company or industry When deciding on a counter offer for your counter offer letter, keep in mind that a counter offer that would most likely get accepted is reasonable and one that is strongly supported by research. Research will also help you in avoiding making unnecessarily extravagant requests.Start with professional greetings. An email that starts with greetings is always pleasing and polite! It showcases professionalism and courtesy, which can make your employer value you even more. Here are five simple ways to professionally greet your employer through in counter offer letter:“Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Name of Your Employer]”“To Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Name of Your Employer]”“Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Name of Your Employer]”“Hello Mr./Ms/Mrs. [Name of Your Employer]”“Greetings Mr./Ms/Mrs. [Name of Your Employer]” After greeting your employer, feel free to follow up with a short cordial sentence like “I hope your week has been great” or “I hope you’re having a wonderful day”.Thank them for the offer and show your enthusiasm. Before jumping into the specifics of your offer, you must first express your gratitude for the job offer. Show your interest in accepting the job and on how you’re looking forward to the job. When your employer understands that you would most likely take the job, they can be more assured that coming into some terms with you may be worth it overall. Example of how to include this in your counter offer email:“Firstly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for offering me the position of a Graphic Designer at XYZ Company. I have a profound interest in this role, and I am looking forward to the job.” State the specifics of your offer. Undoubtedly, the body, which is the most important part of your counter offer email, should include the specifics of your counter offer. In your email, restate the company’s initial offer, then explain why you think it can be replaced with, for example, a more competitive salary, a better-justified set of benefits, and more sick days leave. To convince your hiring manager, it is great to briefly elaborate on why you deserve to receive the counter offer you proposed. Your previous experience and skills or anchoring local and national average salaries in your field can be pointed out softly in your counter offer email so the hirer can be convinced of your reasoning. Example of this in your counter offer email:“The initial $57,000 salary offer is generous, however, I would like to propose a $65,000 salary counter offer, which is the local average salary for Graphic Designers here in New York. I am sure that my 3 years’ worth of experience working at another multinational company as a design specialist would provide reasonable support for my proposed counter offer.” Close your letter with a strong CTA. A CTA, which stands for Call-to-Action, is often found in letters as an invitation for the reader to do something about the matter discussed immediately. A Call-to-Action is frequently included at the end of a counter offer letter to persuade the hiring manager to take action upon your counter offer. A clear, concise and strong CTA can speed up your offer negotiation process. Example of a CTA in a counter offer email:“If you wish, I am more than happy and willing to discuss further regarding this offer over these next few days. Looking forward to hearing from you!” Tips for Writing a Perfect Counter Offer LetterAs we know, a good counter offer letter should be properly researched, thoughtfully drafted and carefully written. Here are 2 handy tips that may come in handy when writing your counter offer letter: 💡 Propose a reasonable and market competitive counter offer. Always back your counter offer with research! Research provides a strong support for your offer and makes it more valid and well-reasoned. It is truly the best place to start when thinking about how to counter an offer letter! Here are a few points that can be researched on:Average salary for your positionAverage insurance coverage in your industryAverage number of vacation days leave in your company 💡 Negotiate politely and fairly. Don’t forget to show politeness in your counter offer letter. When you express your offer, use neutral and polite words to showcase your wants as requests rather than demands. It is important to not offend or displease your employer in any way. 💡 Show your willingness to negotiate. It is possible that the company will not be able to fulfill your counter offer. When this is the case and you don’t want it to hurt your chances of getting the job, make sure to show that you are willing to negotiate further in your counter offer letter. 💡 Emphasize your excitement to join the company. This may sound trivial, but make sure to show your enthusiasm to work for the company. Not only that this will come across in a good light to the employer, it might also convince employers that you are worth your counter offer and allows them to be excited to have you onboard as well. Counter Offer Letter ExampleBefore writing your own counter offer letter, looking at some references would be a great help. Check out a counter offer email example below: Subject Line: Kanaya M. Rodriguez - Job Offer Dear Mrs. Tomlinson, I hope your weekend has been great. I am writing this email to firstly thank you for offering me the opportunity to work as a Graphic Designer at XYZ Company starting this October. I am looking forward to working for the company as I also believe that this job can help me progress in my career development. Before starting to work, I hope it is fine for us to discuss further about the initial salary offer for this position. The initial offer of $57,000 annually is generous, however, I would like to propose a $65,000 annual salary counter offer, which is the average salary for Graphic Designers here in New York. Therefore, I hope you can consider my counter offer justifiable. I am also optimistic that with the set of skills and valuable experience I have, I can offer the company many advantages. If you wish to, I am more than happy to discuss this further over these upcoming few days. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you and best regards,Kanaya M. Rodriguez Counter Offer Letter TemplateStill not sure how to write your counter offer letter? Use this counter offer letter template (that focuses on negotiating salary) to help you in writing your letter![Your name][Your job title] (optional)[Address][Email address][Phone number] Date: [Date of writing the letter] [Company Name][Address][Phone Number] Dear [Name of Hiring Manager/Offerer] I hope you’re having a great week. Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for offering me the opportunity to work as a [Role/Position Offered] at [Company Name] starting [Starting Month]. This opportunity is something that I have been looking forward to, and I am confident that I am able to not only progress in my career, but to also bring positive growth to the company and its people. However, if you permit, I wish to discuss a few things before starting to work. I am writing this email to talk over the initial offer you’ve put forward. Although the salary offer of [Initial salary offer] is generous, I would like to propose a [Salary counter offer] salary counter offer, which is closer to the average salary for [Role/Position Offered] here in [City/Province/Area of Living]. I hope you consider this counter offer reasonable, as I believe [Reasons why you deserve the counter offer]. I am available in the next following days if you need further discussion. I can be contacted by email if scheduling a meeting is more convenient for you. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you. Sincerely,[Your Name] 🔑 Key Takeaways:Keep in mind the following points when writing your very own counter offer letter: A counter offer letter is a letter sent by the job applicant to the hiring manager to negotiate a job’s salary or benefits.A counter offer letter is less nerve-wracking and more easily documented than in-person offer negotiation. A good counter offer letter should be properly researched and thoughtfully written. With Cake, you can easily create a resume online, free download your resume’s PDF formats, and utilize ATS-compliant templates to create a resume. Land your dream job, create your resume online (free download) now!Create resume--- Originally written by Lorencia Ang Budijono---

Created by CakeIf you’ve ever felt overworked and stretched thin, you might be struggling with your work-life balance. The concept of work-life balance is all about managing your time in and out of work, while taking care of yourself and your personal needs. Although evidence shows that one of the benefits of work-life balance is that workers are more productive, employers continue to put pressure on their staff, and employees often fail to listen to their internal needs. If you’re not sure how to balance work and life, you’re not alone. Maintaining good work-life balance is a difficult task that many people struggle with. If that sounds like you, read on to discover some useful work-life balance tips.Table of ContentsWhat Is Work-Life Balance?The Importance of Work-Life BalanceHow to Balance Work and LifeTips for Employers and ManagersConclusionWhat Is Work-Life Balance?Work-life balance is the concept of managing your work responsibilities while making time for yourself – your health, hobbies, social life, and family. The meaning of work-life balance is to make your personal life as much a priority as your tasks at work. This is especially important for students, many of whom work in addition to their studies, and might find the added demands of study and their personal lives to be overwhelming. The importance of work-life balance can’t be overstated. Poor work-life balance can have an immense impact on your mental health. Improper work-life balance can add to your feelings of stress and anxiety, reducing your health and happiness overall. Burnout is also a serious consequence of poor work-life balance and can cause people to leave their jobs or to fall ill. Additionally, poor work-life balance reduces your focus and cognitive abilities, which can lead to inadequate performance at work or school. Paradoxically, finding balance between your personal and professional life can actually make you more productive.The Importance of Work-Life BalanceYou might not be sure of whether your work-related stress is typical, or the result of poor work-life balance. There are many signs of improper work-life balance and paying attention to these symptoms can help you prevent a decline in your mental health. Many of these signs are cognitive, such as decreased focus, poor memory and retention, and confusion. Some signs of poor work-life balance can be related to mood, as you may find yourself more frustrated, sad, or irritable than usual. Fatigue is also a common symptom, and it might feel as though you can’t get enough rest. The people around you may notice these signs of poor work-life balance before you do, so it’s important to listen when your friends, family, and coworkers tell you they’ve noticed a change in your mood or behavior. Keeping a strong, healthy work-life balance is important for many reasons. It helps you maintain your good mental health and keeps you resilient to the ups and downs in your life. One of the benefits of work-life balance includes maintaining your physical health – work-life balance helps you make time for good sleep, exercise, and activities that keep you happy and healthy. It also helps you make time for your interpersonal relationships. Apart from your health and happiness, one of the benefits of work-life balance is that it improves your performance at work. Workers with good work-life balance are more productive, more focused, and more efficient with their time. They also tend to feel happier at work, since they’ve managed to find an appropriate balance between their personal and professional life.How to Balance Work and LifeIf you feel your approach to work and life could use an overhaul, this is a good place to start. There are many tips and tricks to improve your work-life balance and thus your overall health and happiness. 1. Assess Current Situation The first step to improving your work-life balance is to understand where you’re starting from. Be honest when you assess your current work-life balance and whether you feel you have room for improvement. If you’re not sure if you’re struggling with work-life balance, try asking yourself these questions: Do I feel dread going into work or school?Am I able to ‘switch off’ at the end of the workday?How many times a day do I feel overwhelmed or anxious?Do I make time for my hobbies every week?How often do I cancel personal plans or appointments because of work?Do I make time for self-care every week?How do I feel at the beginning of the work week vs at the end?Has anyone mentioned a change in my mood or behaviour lately?Do I feel ‘behind’ in the things I need to do for myself, my home, or my family?Knowing where you stand with regards to your work-life balance is important because it provides a starting point for making positive change if necessary. 2. Identify Priorities If you’ve assessed your level of work-life balance and find it lacking, a good next step is to identify your top priorities inside and out of work. What is most important to you? What deserves most of your time and attention?Keeping your goals in line with your priorities is important. Often, it’s easy to get distracted by tasks that take a lot of our time and attention, but which aren’t necessarily in service of our values. This can increase our sense of poor work-life balance, since we’re not allocating time to things we feel really matter. One way to improve your work-life balance is to take stock of your long-term goals. With your goals in mind, you can ask yourself if any given task or job will help you achieve what’s most important to you. Furthermore, you can decide how you best want to use your time outside of work.3. Develop Time Management Strategies Organizing your time inside and out of work will improve your work-life balance, though few skills are harder to master than time management. Identify weaknesses in your time management abilities and see what you can do differently. Try keeping a schedule and setting alarms for deadlines to help keep you on track. Figure out what your common triggers of procrastination are and try to avoid them. For example, if you spend too much time scrolling on your phone, move it far from your workspace. Tricks like these will improve your time management, and with it, your work-life balance. If time management is a skill you need to work on, technology can be of great help. Use the applications on your phone, like your calendar and alarms, to keep your deadlines in mind. Try setting a time limit on your TV or phone and take a look at your screen time stats to see where you can improve. There are many apps, like Todoist and TimeTree, that can help you with time management and organization. Typically, they work using to-do lists, goal checklists, and notifications to keep you on track. With our busy lives, it can feel like there isn’t time to find balance between our personal and professional life. One way to help your time management is to clarify the perimeter between your work and your personal time. Be clear about when you’ve switched off for the day and try to let go of whatever has happened at work. You can do this by having a ritual when you finish work or study, to make it clear that you have concluded working or are taking a break.4. Set Boundaries at Work, School, and Home Poor work-life balance can sometimes be a result of struggling to establish boundaries with your superiors at work or school. It’s difficult but important to be clear with your employers about not working outside your regular hours. You can also establish study hours and ask professors for extensions when you need them.It’s not uncommon for employers to request that you take on extra work, but even if those tasks are temporary, saying no in a reasonable and professional manner is crucial to maintaining your work-life balance. One of your biggest obstacles in achieving work-life balance is yourself. Many people put extra pressure on themselves to do more and more with less time, whether it’s at work, at school, or at home. It’s important to be realistic about what you can accomplish and to accept that you need time for yourself like everyone else.5. Deal with Stress and Burnout If you’re feeling the negative effects of poor work-life balance, there are several things you can do to manage your stress. Light exercise and plenty of rest are a good first step to feeling better. You can also meditate, pray, and use a journal to find some peace in your life. If you’re struggling with stress and burnout from poor work-life balance, it might be necessary to seek professional help. A therapist can provide insight and coping skills to help you achieve your work-life balance and stability.Another way to handle stress and burnout is to spend more time engaging with your hobbies. Doing something you enjoy reduces stress and can help your perception of work-life balance. 6. Unplug and Disconnect Part of keeping a balance between your personal and professional life is setting boundaries between work time and personal time. The easiest way to do this is unplug when you can, during your time outside of work. Turn off your computer and silence notifications so you can effectively focus on your needs and remove yourself from work.Apart from turning off your work-related devices and notifications, enjoying some free time without technology can be beneficial to your work-life balance as well. It’s no secret that too much time spent on our phones is bad for our mental health. So, consider switching off your screens in favor of journaling, taking a walk, or doing a tech-less hobby you enjoy. 7. Practice Self-Care Another way to maintain your work-life balance is to regularly practice self-care. Work-life balance is all about keeping yourself healthy and stable, and many different activities can accomplish that, like exercise and rest, as well as your hobbies.Practicing self-care can involve finding ways to relax and de-stress. Activities that make you feel calm and comforted can help you maintain work-life balance. These can be things like meditation, writing, taking walks, watching a favorite movie, and even a spa service. Tips for Employers and ManagersTip #1 Work-life balance doesn’t just fall to workers to accomplish, and it’s often a joint effort with their employers. There are many things that a manager can do to promote healthy work-life balance for their team. Tip #2 Employers can support their staff’s work-life balance with things like flexible work time, or hybrid working arrangements that give employees the option to work from home. Be up front with your staff about their paid time off and ensure that they take the time allotted to them.📚 Further reading: How to Be Efficient While Working from Home? 5 Best Productivity Apps (Free!)Tip #3 A good company culture can lend itself to work-life balance for everyone. Showing support to your employees and keeping communication open and honest will encourage a healthy working environment and reduce stress.Using online sources like Cake can help you clarify your healthy work culture, brand, and employer practices. Follow Cake for more employer advice! ConclusionMaintaining good work-life balance is a difficult task that many students and workers struggle with. It’s important to manage your work-life balance so that you can reduce stress and increase your health and happiness. There are many things you can do today to improve your harmony between work and life, so don’t wait for burnout before you explore these strategies. Work-life balance is a process and not a destination, so don’t be hard on yourself if you struggle with it in the beginning. With some small adjustments, you can begin to find balance between your personal and professional life.With Cake, the best free resume builder, we provide you with hundreds of free resume templates download and various resume examples that help showcase the best you. Landing your dream job will be a piece of cake!Create Resume--- Originally written by Tiffany Quinn ---

Created by CakeIn this article, we'll cover:Parts of a Business LetterHow to Format a Business LetterBusiness Letter SamplesBusiness Letter TemplateAlthough technology has made it possible to get in touch with companies through emails and even social media, writing formal business letters is a skill you must master as an aspiring professional. Writing business letters is necessary because it is still a common way to deal with professional documentation. There are quite a few types of formal business letters you will find in your career, such as: Cover lettersWelcome lettersInterview follow-up lettersRecommendation lettersThank you lettersLetters of resignationTermination letters, and so on With so many types, it is okay to be confused about how to write a business letter; Nonetheless, you also need to use the proper formal letter format. It is not enough to be grammatical. Parts of a Business LetterThere are different ways to arrange the layout of a formal letter; We recommend including at least the following parts of business letters.Your Contact InformationThe DateThe Recipient’s Contact InformationThe SalutationThe BodyThe Closing SalutationYour Signature 🖋 Your Contact Information A vital part of the business letter format is to include all of your contact information; therefore, you should include the following details in your business letter heading: Your full name (and your job title/company if you have one)Your address (including city and Zipcode)Your phone numberYour email address (optional) 🖋 The Date Avoid using abbreviations when you write the date in a formal business letter. The date format should be: Month/Day/Year (for example, April 6, 2022) 🖋 The Recipient’s Contact Information The following section needs to include the information of the letter recipient, such as: Their full nameTheir job title/companyTheir company’s address (including city and Zip code)Their phone number 🖋 The Salutation In this section, people who want to write formal letters need to think of a proper opening. You can try the following ways to start your formal business letter: If you don’t know who to address the letter to: To whom it may concernWhen you know who the recipient is: Dear Ms./Mrs./Mr. [the recipient’s last name]If you and the recipient have a close relationship: Dear [the recipient’s first name] 🖋 The Body Another vital part of formatting letters is a great body. Just like when you write an article, a professional letter needs to have a proper introduction where you add a friendly salutation and then state the main point. In another paragraph, you should cover the main point and add supporting details. Finally, add a closing paragraph to reiterate your purpose or restate your request. 🖋 The Closing Salutation The next part of the business letter is writing a suitable closing salutation. You need to check whether it is fully formal or not. Here are some examples of business letter closing salutations: For formal letters:Respectfully yours,In appreciation,Sincerely yours,Cordially,Sincerely,For more casual letters:Best regards,Thank you for your time,Kind regards,Best,Stay well, Make sure to consider the types of formal letters you are writing and choose a closing salutation that fits your formal business letter. 🖋 Your Signature Every formal business letter needs to finish with your signature right below your closing salutation. Remember to leave enough space for your physical signature (or add a digital one). Finish by typing your full name and title. How to Format a Business LetterNow that you know the parts of business letters, it’s time to talk about how to format a business letter. You have to consider many things, such as which layout to use or which font suits your formal business letter best. 🎯 Choose a format that suits you. There are several ways to write a formal business letter. There are several styles and formats you can use, such as the block letter format, the modified block letter format, and the semi-block letter format. Here we tell you more about their differences for you to get familiar with different layouts of business letters. Block Format It is also known as the full block style. It is the most common style out there. How to write a block format business letter? You need to align all your text to the left when writing a block format business letter. Each line is single-spaced, and none of them is indented. Moreover, skip a line if you are writing a different paragraph (it will look like a double-spaced line). Do not forget to add all the parts of the business letter we mentioned above. Do not worry if you are still confused. We will provide you with a full block letter format example later in the article. Modified Block Format It is also known as the Indented form. The modified block letter format is another writing style. Similar to the full block letter format, your text should be left-justified and single-spaced. However, your contact information, the date, closing salutation, and signature are all either moved to the center or aligned to the right.There is, too, an example of a letter in modified block formatlater in the article. Semi-Block Format Not as commonly used as the others due to its being a bit less formal, the semi-block letter format is very similar to both the block letter format and the modified one. While the text is aligned to the left, you need to indent every paragraph. Additionally, for the layout of business letters in semi-block format, your contact information, the date, closing salutation, and signature should all be right-justified or aligned to the center.We also offer an example letter in semi-block format later in this article. 🎯 Pay attention to font style and size. Besides using a professional letter format, you should consider which font style is appropriate. The font size can also help or hinder the letter’s readability. The acceptable standard size for formal letter headers is 12 points. When it comes to fonts in business letter writing, the commonly accepted ones are Arial and Times New Roman. However, you can also consider Helvetica, Open Sans, Calibri, Book Antiqua, and Georgia. 🎯 Adjust spacing and margins. Keep spacing in mind when you are doing the letterhead formatting. You need to leave enough space between the different parts of your letter (Your contact information, the receiver’s contact information, the content, and so on). Additionally, it is recommended to use a single space for your text in a formal letter. Finally, a formal business letter format has a one-inch margin, the default margin size in most software. Business Letter SamplesWe know it is a lot to digest, so we want to provide you with some examples of business letters that can give you a better idea of how to format a business letter. ✉️ Block Business Letter Format Example Here we show a full-block letter format example. It is the most common style and a very formal one, too. Marcela Duarte |Marketing Manager Abe’s Solutions1130 11th St, Miami Beach, FL, 33139305-201-1888 April 7, 2022 Antony Roman | Sr. Project Manager Patty’s Tech Solutions, Inc.725 NE 166th St, Miami, FL, 33162305-213-0626 Dear Mr. Roman, It’s my pleasure to invite you to attend our corporate partner’s networking event on May 10, 2022. The event aims to strengthen our company’s business bond. We hope our collaborators can become part of our family and understand our corporate culture better. We will hold the event at the Faena Hotel. We have scheduled it to last about two hours. If you are interested in participating, please send me your confirmation at your earliest convenience to reserve a place. Thank you for taking the time. I hope to hear from you soon. Cordially,Marcela DuarteMarketing Manager ✉️ Modified Block Business Letter Format Example The following is an example of the modified block letter format. Notice the differences between it and other professional letter format styles: Marcela Duarte |Marketing Manager Abe’s Solutions1130 11th St, Miami Beach, FL, 33139305-201-1888 April 7, 2022 Antony Roman | Human Resources Manager Patty’s Tech Solutions, Inc.725 NE 166th St, Miami, FL, 33162305-213-0626 Dear Mr. Roman,I want to express my gratitude to you for taking the time to review my application. I have been working at Abe’s Solutions for almost five years. I have learned many skills in this position, and I am ready to take on new challenges. I am interested in the regional marketing manager position your company posted on LinkedIn yesterday. I can bring years of experience to contribute to your regional expansion. I have read wonders about your company. I think I will fit with your corporate culture. Thank you once again for your time and effort. I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely,Marcela DuarteMarketing Manager ✉️ Semi-Block Business Letter Format Example Finally, here is a semi-block letter format example. Remember that this style is the least formal of the three we presented. Check how we use it in this example of a business letter for students: Marcela Duarte 1130 11th St, Miami Beach, FL, 33139305-201-1888 April 7, 2022 Antony Roman Business Department Deputy Rector University of Miami 1320 S Dixie Hwy Coral Gables, FL, 33146 305-213-0626 Dear Antony, I hope you are doing great. Thank you for letting me know about the internship opening in your department. Throughout my four years at this university, you have always guided me. I appreciate all your support. I wanted to inform you that the interview with the rector went perfectly. He also mentioned you recommended me for the position. Thank you so much. I am glad to tell you he accepted my application. I can’t wait to learn more from both of you. I cannot thank you enough! I will see you next week. Kind regards,Marcela Duarte Business Letter TemplateWhile there are many business letter templates free online, we want to provide you with a business letter heading template that you can edit and use for your professional needs right here. This template follows the block letter format. You can follow this pattern of formal letters but make sure to change the information in the brackets.[Your full name][Your title] [Your company’s name][Address][City, State, Zip code][Phone number] [Date] [The recipient’s full name][The recipient’s title] [The recipient’s company’s name][Address][City, State, Zip code][Phone number] Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. [The recipient’s last name], [Body] (Remember to at least add an introductory paragraph, an explanatory one, and a closing one.) Respectfully yours/Sincerely /Cordially, [Your full name][Your title] With Cake’s resume builder tool, resume templates and resume examples, you could showcase your best qualifications to land your dream job. Try making a resume online (free download) now!Create CV--- Originally written by Roger Rene Ortega Figueroa---

Do you know Taiwan is one of the most liveable places in the world for expats? As a matter of fact, InterNations found that Taiwan, a small sweet potato-shaped island located between the East and China Sea, was the second best place to live for expats for quality of life. Another factor that makes Taiwan's employment scene just so attractive is the ease of finding a job. There are plenty of job search sites for both students and seasoned professionals looking to start working in Taiwan as a foreigner. In some cases, the only requirement is a basic understanding of Chinese and a valid Taiwan work permit for foreigners. In this article, we will share all the information about the prosperous opportunities in Taiwan for expats and the Taiwanese government's effort to attract foreign talents, especially in the Digital Field.Digital Nomad Is the New Norm and Taiwan's Talent TargetTaiwan is an open and inclusive society that welcomes talents from any country. As of May 2023, more than 800,000 foreign residents are living in Taiwan, accounting for around 3.5% of the total population. The largest share of immigrants are from Southeast Asian countries. The Taiwanese government previously stated its mission to attract more than 400,000 expats to come and live in Taiwan over the next decade. The government has opened up ten fields in the Employment Gold Card programs to facilitate any talent working in the country. As we're entering the digital transformation era, Taiwan, along with other top countries, is embracing digital development. As a result, the Ministry of Digital Affairs (moda) has announced the "Foreign Special Professionals with Specialized Knowledge/Skills in Digital Fields" to accelerate the attraction and recruitment of digital talents to Taiwan. Simultaneously, moda aims to "connect citizens and technology, enhance industry and security, and introduce digital instruments and open mindsets" to transform Taiwan from a digital island to a "global model of digital democracy and innovation." For several decades, Taiwan has firmly positioned itself as a talent hub creating countless highly educated professionals. Now, to further boost the mission of attracting talent to Taiwan, the government has developed different initiatives to support entrepreneurship and new tech companies. Many of these are new startup funds, laws to encourage foreign talent to come, Employment Gold Card and Entrepreneur Visa, and so on.With a wealth of rich culture and grand landscape from north to south, Taiwan is not only a tourist's dream but also a heaven for expats. Economy, safety, and weather (of course) are some other reasons why foreign talents are attracted to Taiwan and enjoy working in Taiwan.Keep reading to understand more about the Taiwan Employment Gold Card Program.What Is the Taiwan Employment Gold Card?The Taiwan Employment Gold Card is a 4-in-1 card comprising a resident visa, work permit, Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), and a re-entry permit for Taiwan. Valid for 1 to 3 years, this visa is perfect for specialized working professionals wanting to relocate to the tropical island of Taiwan. The Gold Card is also a great working visa in Taiwan for those with a travel buzz. Allowing for both full-time and part-time employment, in-office or remote, the Taiwan Gold Card makes it easy to zip out on a cheeky holiday with an unlimited re-entry permit. So, whether you're working in Taiwan as a US citizen, working in Taiwan as a foreigner, or intending to lead your working in Taiwan expat life, why not consider the gold standard visa for working in Taiwan? Gold Card is open to all nationalities and is eligible from any of the following ten industries: (1) Science and technology, (2) Economy, (3) Education, (4) Culture and the arts, (5) Finance, (6) Sport, (7) Law, (8) National Defense, (9) Architecture and (10) Digital.What Is the Benefit of Holding a Gold Card in Taiwan?On top of all the usual benefits of having a working visa in Taiwan (aka being eligible to work in Taiwan), the Taiwan Gold Card has a few additional perks: Open work permit: With the open work permit, you can work for any employer, be self-employed, or start your own business here. This is perfect for any expat who wishes to work flexibly, as you can work for any employer or switch jobs at any time. You don’t need to apply for a new work permit as long as the current permit is valid.Resident Visa for Family: If you want to bring your family with you on your journey to Taiwan, with your Employment Gold Card visa, your spouse and children can obtain a resident visa while your parents and grandparents can apply for a 1-year visitor visa. Be sure to plan ahead and make use of all available resources before your trip. Information like current job openings for your spouse or schools for your kids can be helpful when you arrive.National Health Insurance: Among the benefits, the most useful one is that cardholders don't have to wait the usual six months to apply for National Health Insurance. Instead, Taiwan Gold Card holders can apply directly for their NHI once they start working in Taiwan. This applies to self-employed individuals working in Taiwan as a foreigner, too.Permanent residency: Possessing an Employment Gold Card, you’re one step closer to obtaining a permanent residency in Taiwan. To meet the application requirements, your Gold Card should be valid for three years, and you should have resided in Taiwan for an average of more than 183 days per year. Once granted permanent residency, you will have the right to live and work in Taiwan, with all privileges and rights similar to those of Taiwanese citizens.Income Tax Reduction: Since the Taiwanese Government wants to attract and retain talent in Taiwan, it has offered certain income tax benefits to expats. Gold Card holders who work in Taiwan for the first time and meet specified conditions are eligible to apply for a 50% tax exemption on annual salary income exceeding NT$3 million in the first five years. But keep in mind that the duration for this benefit may vary depending on the specific category the cardholder falls into. For more details, you can get in touch with The Taiwan Employment Gold Card Office representative.What's more, Gold Card holders don't actually need a job lined up before they arrive in Taiwan. The only caveat is that they must find one within six months of arriving or becoming unemployed. Thankfully, that's an easily solvable situation with the abundance of online job search sites in Taiwan, like Cake's Job Board.What is the Requirement for a Gold Card in the Digital Field? Here are the requirements: Relevant work experience: If you want to apply for a Gold Card as a digital professional, you’ll need over eight years of professional experience in the digital economy sectorGold Card income requirement: Employed in a relevant field with a recent monthly salary of at least NT$160,000 (around 4,900 USD).Academic achievement: Graduated from a university ranked in the Top 500 worldwide and holding a doctoral degree from that institution. Other achievements: Academic certifications, winning awards, or having more than four years of relevant work experience.“Taiwan Gold Card is a great opportunity for people anywhere in the world who want to come and live in a lovely place where there's a really strong community of people who care about similar things. So it's good to definitely highly recommend anyone in the world to apply for it.”Vitalik Buterin, Co-founder of Ethereum Currently, the Taipei Computer Association (TCA) is offering some incentives for expats who visit Taiwan for digital field cooperation. These offers include flight tickets, hotels, and so on. These offers are only valid until October 2024. FAQsNow that we have the basics down, let's move on to three important FAQs for employment gold card holders. Can I apply for a Taiwan Gold Card if I already have an ARC? Yes, you can apply for the Taiwan Gold Card even if you already have an ARC. It's super easy to switch, too; just make the application and replace your old ARC working visa in Taiwan with the shiny new Gold Card. This applies to tourist visas as well. Will I lose my Taiwan Gold Card if I lose my job? No, you won't lose this special work visa Taiwan Gold Card if you lose your job. That's because the Taiwan Gold Card is attached to you, meaning employers don't need to sponsor you for a visa or work permit. Do I have to be permanently living in Taiwan to get a Taiwan GoldCard? No, you don't have to be living permanently in Taiwan to be eligible for the work visa Taiwan Gold Card. In fact, there is no minimum requirement for how long you have to stay in Taiwan per year.Key Takeaways And that's it! You should now know the benefits of working in Taiwan as a foreigner and the Gold Card Taiwan work visa requirements. Want to apply for a Gold Card Taiwan Work Visa? Apply it here. If you’re looking for employment in Taiwan, either before or after your arrival, Cake is one of the best online job search sites specifically for jobs in Taiwan. Whether it's the remote you're looking for or an office in the bustling heart of Taipei, Cake has you covered. They also have a super easy resume builder to make landing that life-changing job a piece of cake!All information is provided by Ads of Administration for Digital Industries, modaOriginally written by the Cake team

SummaryA side hustle is flexible paid work outside your main job.There are many side hustle jobs, such as freelancing, tutoring, delivery, pet sitting, content creation, and high-skill consulting.To get started, identify your skills, validate the market, build presence, land your first client, and track income.Top platforms to find side hustle jobs include Upwork, Fiverr, Rover, Taskrabbit, Etsy, and Cake for jobs and resume building.A side hustle is any paid work you do outside your primary job, whether that's freelancing, selling products online, tutoring, or building a small business on evenings and weekends.Nearly 40% of Americans report they have a regular side hustle in addition to their full-time job, and for good reason: the right one can pade your savings, sharpen your skills, and even help you springboard into a career pivot.Whether you're a student looking for flexible income, a professional wanting to diversify, or someone who simply wants to turn a hobby into cash, this guide covers 30+ side hustle ideas, how to pick the right one, where to find work, and tips for making it sustainable.Table of Contents:What Is a Side Hustle?Why Start a Side Hustle?Best Side Hustle JobsHow to Start a Side Hustle?Where to Find Side Hustle Jobs?Tips on Doing Side Hustle JobsWhat is a Side Hustle?Side hustle is any part-time, freelance, or self-employed activity you take on in addition to your main source of income. Unlike a second job, a side hustle is typically flexible, you control your hours, clients, and workload. Side hustles range from gig work such as Uber driver or Doordash, to skilled freelancing (copywriting, web design) to passion projects that pay (photography, handmade goods).The key difference between a side hustle and a part-time job is ownership, a side hustle is your business, even if it's a small one.Why Start a Side Hustle?Starting a side hustle could offer you many different benefits. Here are just a few key benefits that side hustle jobs can bring: Extra income It’s no surprise that the best side hustle benefit is extra money! Times are tough and a side hustle can introduce a little more stability, or flexibility, to your regular income. Skill development Having a side hustle is a good way to practice existing skills. You can also learn and apply brand new skills to your side hustle. Flexibility and freedom Unlike a full-time job, a side hustle gives you more control over when and how much you work. Whether you do your side hustle from home or outside, for a few hours or a full day, it’s up to you. Turn hobbies into money Another benefit of having a side hustle is the fact that you can make extra money from your hobbies. If there is something you enjoy doing that can translate into a paycheck for you, try turning it into your side hustle! Career pivot safety netA side hustle lets you test a new industry or role with zero financial risk before committing to a full-time switch.Resume and portfolio building Client work, freelance projects, and entrepreneurial experience are legitimate resume credentials. Hiring managers value self-starters.Freelance projects and gig work belong on your resume, but only if they're framed correctly. Cake's AIResume Checker instantly analyzes your resume for ATS compatibility, keyword gaps, and formatting issues, so your side hustle experience lands the way it should. Check your resume now!30+Side Hustle IdeasNot all side hustles are created equal. The best one for you depends on your skills, schedule, and income goal. Browse by category to find your fit. Best Side Hustles You Can Do From Home 1. Freelance Writing Copywriting Freelance writing includes writing blog posts, marketing copy, whitepapers, or social media content for businesses. Platforms like Upwork and Contently connect writers with clients. Rates range from $0.05–$0.50+ per word depending on niche and experience. Best for: strong writers, journalists, or subject-matter experts. 2. Graphic Design Graphic designers create logos, social media graphics, brand kits, and print materials. Tools like Canva make entry-level work accessible, while Figma and Adobe Illustrator unlock premium clients. Post your portfolio on Dribbble or Behance to attract work. 3. Virtual Assistant Handle email management, scheduling, data entry, and admin tasks for busy entrepreneurs. No specialised degree required to become a virtual assistant, just reliability and good communication. Many VAs earn $15–$40/hr on platforms like Belay or Time Etc. 4. Online Tutoring Teach any subject you know well: maths, English, SAT prep, coding, foreign languages, or music. Platforms like Tutor.com, Wyzant, and Preply match you with students. An especially popular side hustle for students and recent grads who are still close to their subject matter. 5. Social Media Management Small businesses need help maintaining their Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn presence. If you understand content strategy and scheduling tools like Buffer or Hootsuite, you can manage multiple client accounts from a laptop. 6. Affiliate Marketing Earn commissions by promoting products through a blog, YouTube channel, or social media. Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and individual brand programs are popular starting points. Income is passive once content is live, but takes time to build. 7. Online Course Creation Package your expertise into a course on Udemy, Teachable, or Gumroad. Whether it’s Excel for beginners, watercolour painting, or resume writing, people pay for structured learning from real practitioners. High upfront effort, but passive income once published. 8. Transcription Translation Transcription services (Rev, TranscribeMe) pay for converting audio to text, no prior experience needed, just fast and accurate typing. If you’re bilingual, professional translation pays significantly more ($0.10–$0.25/word). 9. Web App Development Build websites on WordPress, Shopify, or Webflow for small businesses. Even basic front-end skills (HTML, CSS, a little JavaScript) can earn $500–$3,000 per project. Platforms like Toptal and Codeable cater specifically to developer freelancers. 10. Content Creation (YouTube / TikTok / Podcasting) Building an audience takes time, but monetisation through ads, sponsorships, and memberships (Patreon) can become significant income. Niche channels like career advice, personal finance, cooking, gaming tend to grow faster than broad ones.Best Side Hustle Ideas for Students Recent Graduates 11. Campus Tutoring or Note-Taking Most universities have formal tutoring or note-taking programmes that pay students. It’s the lowest-friction side hustle for anyone currently enrolled since you’re already attending the classes. 12. Internship-Adjacent Freelancing Offer your coursework skills (research, writing, data analysis, design) to startups who can’t afford full-time staff. Your student portfolio counts as proof of concept. This also fills resume gaps while you’re still studying. 13. Photography Videography Events (weddings, corporate, real estate, graduations) pay well for anyone with a decent camera and an eye for composition. Student photographers often undercharge early on, but honestly? Don’t be afraid to price your work. 14. Dropshipping or Print-on-Demand Sell custom-designed merchandise (T-shirts, mugs, phone cases) on Redbubble, Merch by Amazon, or Printful without holding inventory. Good for design students. Low risk, modest income until you build an audience. 15. Survey User Testing Sites like UserTesting, Respondent, and Prolific Academic pay for your opinions. Not a full income, but a low-effort way to earn $100–$300/month with minimal time commitment.Side Hustle Ideas to Make Money Fast 16. Delivery Driving (DoorDash, Instacart, Amazon Flex) Start earning within days of signing up. Flexible hours, instant payouts, and zero experience required. Best in dense urban or suburban areas. Expenses (fuel, wear on your vehicle) eat into margins, so track them carefully. 17. Gig Platforms (TaskRabbit, Handy) Offer handyperson services, furniture assembly, moving help, or cleaning. TaskRabbit is especially fast to onboard, you can complete your first job within a week. Rates average $35–$80/hr for skilled tasks. 18. Selling Unwanted Items eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Depop, and Poshmark let you turn clutter into cash quickly. Many people expand this into a consistent side hustle by sourcing items from thrift stores or garage sales to resell (retail arbitrage). 19. Pet Sitting Dog Walking (Rover, Wag) Animal lovers can earn $15–$30/walk or $50–$100/night for pet sitting. Rover lets you set your own rates and build repeat client relationships. A genuinely enjoyable side hustle that gets you outside. 20. Consulting in Your Field If you have 3+ years of professional experience, you likely have expertise someone will pay for. HR professionals consult on job search strategy. Marketers consult on brand launches. Engineers review code. Price yourself at 1.5– 2x your effective hourly rate. Niche Side Hustles 21. Online Fitness Coaching Build workout plans and nutrition guides for clients via apps like TrueCoach or directly through Instagram. A NASM or ACE certification adds credibility and justifies higher rates ($50–$200/month per client for ongoing coaching). 22. Resume Career Coach Experienced recruiters, HR professionals, or career changers can charge $75–$250 for resume rewrites or interview coaching sessions. Platforms like The Muse and LinkedIn ProFinder connect you with job seekers. 23. Interior Design Consulting If you have a design eye, offer mood boarding, furniture sourcing, and space planning services. Remote design consultations via Zoom have made this side hustle accessible without local market limitations. 24. Voice Acting Narrate e-learning modules, audiobooks, advertisements, and YouTube videos. Sites like Voices.com and Voice123 connect talent with projects. A decent microphone and quiet space are the only real requirements to start. 25. Language Instruction or ESL Teaching Platforms like iTalki and Cambly pay you to practice conversation with language learners worldwide. Native English speakers are especially in demand. Sessions are typically 30–60 minutes and can be scheduled around any timezone. How to Start a Side Hustle? 1. Identify your skills and interests Make a list of what you’re genuinely good at and what you’d enjoy doing for extra hours per week. The best side hustle sits at the intersection of those two things. 2. Validate the market Search your target side hustle on Upwork, Google, or LinkedIn to confirm people are actually paying for it. Check rates competitors charge to set realistic income expectations.3. Set up your professional presenceA polished resume, a simple portfolio, and a LinkedIn profile are the minimum for most freelance side hustles. For service-based work, even a one-page website and a testimonial from one happy client is enough to get started.To keep things simple, you can build your resume with Cake's AIResume Builder with one of our 50 ATS-friendly resume templates. Just type in your information, download, and your resume is job-ready. 4. Land your first clientStart with your existing network before cold-pitching strangers. Tell people what you’re offering. Post on LinkedIn. Most first side hustle clients come through warm introductions, not cold outreach.5. Track income, expenses, and timeSide hustle income is taxable, so don't forget to keep records from day one. And log your hours honestly to know whether your hourly rate is actually worth it. Where to Find Side Hustle Jobs?There are many websites that can help you search for more work. Here are just a few of the most common side hustle websites. Cake Job search and resume platform with daily freelance and part-time listings. Use Cake to build your resume, portfolio, and land the right side hustle role. Upwork Leading platform for skilled freelancers: writing, design, development, marketing, admin, and more. FiverrGreat for offering defined, packaged services (e.g., “I will design your logo in 48 hours”). Lower barrier to entry than Upwork.Freelancer Open bidding on a wide range of freelance projects. Competitive but high-volume. Etsy Sell handmade goods, printables, vintage items, and digital products.TaskRabbit / Handy Local gig platforms for physical tasks, handyperson services, and cleaning.Rover / WagDedicated platforms for pet sitting and dog walking.LinkedIn ProFinder Connect with businesses and professionals looking for freelance consultants. Facebook groups Search for local cash jobs, side hustle communities, and city-specific freelance groups.Tips on Doing Side Hustle JobsTip 1: Time management is essential Managing your time is important when you have a side hustle, to balance that commitment with all your other responsibilities. To direct your time, decide what tasks are a greater priority each week, and try not to do more than you can manage – it will only make you feel burnt out. Tip 2: Maintain work-life balance While your side hustle is important to you, it could also put too much on your plate, leaving you feeling stressed and tired. To keep your work-life balance while you pursue a side hustle, make sure you continue to get adequate sleep and exercise, as well as giving yourself free time to relax. Tip 3: Set a goal Before starting your side hustle, get serious about the goal you’re trying to reach. Is it to make a set amount of money? Is it to enhance a particular skill? or do you just want to have fun? Figuring out your goal in advance can lead to greater success for your side hustle.Tip 4: Keep your skills updated The gig economy moves fast. Build time into your schedule to stay sharp with courses, certifications, and industry reading.Frequently AskedQuestions About Side Hustles1. What is a side hustle?A side hustle is any paid activity you do outside your main job: freelance work, gig work, selling products, or running a small service business. You control your hours and income.2.How much can you make from a side hustle?It varies widely. Entry-level gig work (delivery, surveys) earns $200–$800/month. Skilled freelancing (writing, design, coding) can reach $2,000–$10,000/month or more with the right clients.3.Do I need to pay taxes on side hustle income?Yes. In the US, any income over $400/year from self-employment is taxable. Set aside 25–30% of net earnings for federal and state taxes, and file a Schedule C.4.Can I do a side hustle while employed full-time?Almost always yes, but check your employment contract for non-compete or moonlighting clauses, especially if your side hustle is in the same industry as your employer.5.What is the most profitable side hustle?High-skill freelancing (software development, UX design, copywriting) typically yields the highest hourly rates. Passive income streams (courses, affiliate marketing) can eventually outpace active work, but take longer to build.6.Can a side hustle turn into a full-time career?Absolutely. Many successful businesses started as evenings-and-weekends projects. A side hustle lets you test product-market fit and build financial runway before making a leap.Ready to Start Your Side Hustle? Starting a side hustle is one of the smartest career moves you can make — not just for the income, but for the skills, confidence, and optionality it builds. Pick one idea from this list, spend a week researching its market, and take one concrete action (create a profile, reach out to one potential client, register a domain). The difference between people who succeed with side hustles and those who don’t isn’t talent: it’s starting. Before you start, don't forget to prepare your resume. Resume is the first thing a client (or a recruiter) sees, so make sure it's doing it's job. Cake's AIResume Checkeranalyzes your resume against job descriptions and industry standards, and tells you exactly waht to fix.