Description

• New Job 3 – Confirming Basic Terms of Job Offer by Employer
  An Action Letter for your use in confirming the basic terms of a job offer you have received, and to create a written record to avoid later disagreements, differences in memory, or potential employer bad faith. In a later dispute, it may prove very valuable to have to present back to your employer, or in a lawsuit or arbitration proceeding. Even if your employer doesn’t give you anything “in writing,” this is how you can put something “in writing” yourself.
• New Job 4 – Memo to HR to Clarify “Benefits and Burdens”
  An Action Memo for your use in gathering critical information about the benefits, restrictions, policies and rules you will benefit from, and be subject to many of the benefits and conditions you will encounter in a new job. Will you be required to sign a non-compete agreement on your second day? Will you be denied all benefits until you are employed three months? You might be in for a nasty surprise. It’s better to find out before you accept the job, not after you start.
• New Job 5 – Model Response to Offer Letter
  Offer Letters (sometimes called “Welcome Aboard” letters) seem short, simple and to the point. However, most Offer Letters are quite the opposite: they are often deceptively written, in that they contain (a) employment “risks” that are carefully hidden, and (b) what we call “wiggle room” that can be used to deny you employment “rewards” that you are counting on. This Model Memo shows you how to address and correct the most common problems in Offer Letters. UPDATED!!
• New Job 7 – Master Checklist of Employment Negotiation Items
  A Comprehensive Checklist to ensure you don’t fail to raise, request or resolve an issue of importance to you before you “shake hands” on the terms and conditions of a new job. Remember: “If you don’t ask, you don’t receive.” Remember, too, that “If you don’t think of it, you won’t ask for it.”
• New Job 9 – Job Offer Accepted, Then Withdrawn by Employer
  Requesting Payment for Monetary LossesIf you have experienced the withdrawal of a Job Offer, after you have accepted it, and in the interim relied on it to resign from your present job, or relocate, or take other actions, this is the Model Letter you need to respectfully but effectively request your almost-employer help you cover your significant losses.
• New Job 11 – Thank You Letter after Rejection Received
  Everyone has been turned down for a job, but very few people have the good sense, the savvy and the spirit of determination to send a “Thank You” note to interviewers after receiving notice of rejection. Why do so? For many good and compelling reasons, most of all because it often works to keep you in mind if the chosen candidate does not accept the job or does not work out, or if a new position opens up. Don’t get mad, don’t get sad . . . Get hired. And this can only increase your chances of that happening. Here’s “What to say, and how to say it.”™
• New Job 13 – Six Important Elements to Suggest be Incorporated Into an Expected Job Offer Letter
  When interviewing, and you believe, or are told, that an Offer Letter is being prepared, it may be wise to proactively request that six important elements be included: (1) a “seamless transition,” (2) a “defined role,” (3) “commitment” in the relation, (4) “equivalence” in compensation, (5) “flexibility” regarding telecommuting, and (6) “reasonability” as to restrictions. This Model Memo explains each, and shows you “What to Say and How to Say It,”™ and how to explain each to your prospective employer. Geared more for the executive and management level, but applicable to everyone.
• New Job 14 – “Friendly Warning” to HR to Give Neutral Reference
  When job-searching, and you know that your background is about to be checked, you might consider “reminding” HR in a “friendly way” that (a) it has agreed to give a neutral reference, (b) it should remind others of that, too, and (c) those calling for references JUST MIGHT be friends or former colleagues of yours. This Model Memo shows you “What to Say and How to Say It.”™
• New Job 15 – Requesting a Sign-On Bonus (or Other Upfront Payment)
  When offered a new job, it is quite common to request, and then to receive, an upfront payment for various reasons. Most commonly it is to (a) make up for bonus, commissions or equity lost due to the transition, (b) make whole for expense to be incurred in relocation, or (c) address a lower salary or the loss of income of your spouse or partner entailed in making the anticipated move. So long as the request is respectful, reasonable and based on a solid rationale, it is often successful. This Model Letter offers six such rationales, and shows you “What to Say and How to Say It.”™
• New Job 17 – Model Letter To Explain a Previous Workplace Lawsuit to a Prospective Employer
  There are many among us who have sued a former employer and for this reason face an additional burden in landing a new job. One way to address the problem is to do so “head on,” that is, to try to defuse the issue preemptively in a letter sent to your interviewer(s) or hiring manager(s) addressing the issue when you send your resume. Or, alternatively, to have one ready. With 7 solid explanations and assurances that should help.
• New Job 18 – Job Offer Accepted, Then Declined by Employee
  It happens every now and then: you accept a new job offer, and then something arises that changes your mind. It could be (a) a counter-offer, (b) learning new information, or (c) a simple change of heart. Whatever it is, you need to withdraw your acceptance with as much grace and as little “burning of bridges” as possible. It’s not going to be easy, but this Model Letter will make it easier. It shows you “What to Say and How to Say It.”™
• New Job 20 – Request for a Renewal Notice Provision
  If you have an employment agreement, or are in the process of negotiating one, asking for a “Renewal Notice” provision is wise – for both employee and employer. It provides that, when the existing or prospective employment agreement is coming to an end, the two parties will address the issue of Renewal, extension or expiration head on, with transparency and professionalism, so that neither is left “high and dry.” This Model Letter shows you how to ask for this provision, or as we often say, “What to Say and How to Say It.”™
• New Job 23 – Request for Guarantee of Start-Up Employer’s Obligations by Parent Company or Investors
  If you are considering a job offer from either a start-up company, or another employer that entails an unusual degree of risk to job security or fulfillment of its compensation obligations, it may be wise to consider asking for a guarantee. This Model Memo shows you “What to Say and How to Say It.”™
• New Job 26 – After Job Offer Withdrawn due to Resume Error
  Try as we may, we all make mistakes. Sometimes, our mistakes have very serious consequences. Such is the case when a Job Offer is withdrawn after the employer’s Background Check reveals one or more errors, discrepancies or falsehoods. Can you convince the Hiring Manager to reconsider? Well, you surely can’t if you don’t try. This Model Letter uses the substance, approach and tone we believe is most likely to succeed. Shows you “What to say, and how to say it.”™
• New Job 28 – Two “Pre-Existing Creation” Protection Letters
  For attending interviews, or if asked to make a pre-hiring presentation, or when given a job offer, it is very wise to take practical steps to protect any of your “pre-existing creations.” It can only help to ensure they are not later claimed to be a “Work for Hire,” which means “the Employer’s property.” That is what these two Model Letters help you do. These two Model Letters use the substance, approach and tone we recommend. They show you “What to Say, and How to Say It.”™
• New Job 33 – Sharing “Very Personal” Issue Before Background Check (This Version: Marijuana and DUI)
  No one is Perfect and no one’s life history is free from blemishes or “Very Personal Issues.” It is often wise to share past indiscretions and the like prior to a New Job Background Check to pave the way to your hiring despite them. This Model Letter shows “What to Say, and How to Say It.”™
• New Job 36 – Request for a Key Man / Key Woman Clause or Agreement (For Insertion into Offer Letter)
  Have a solid “B.O.B.” (Book of Business)? Want to make sure you don’t lose it if terminated or you resign, due to a non-compete, etc.? Then this would be your wise choice to request. Simply put, “Those clients I bring in, I can leave with, if that ever happens.” Well, it‘s not quite that simple, but this Model Letter, like all our Model Letters and Memos, shows you “What to Say, and How to Say It.”™
• Next Step 1 – “Seeking a New Job” Letter to Send to Family, Friends and Colleagues.
  When seeking a new job, it is important that you use the most efficient and effective means of getting re-employed. Our clients have found this Model Letter to be among the best of the ways. It shows you (i) what to say, (ii) how to say it, and even (iii) who to say it to. Includes “Follow Up Model” – to Send each 2-3 weeks. Highly recommended.
• Job Issues 5 – Response to Request You Sign a Non-Compete Agreement
  You have just been offered a great job . . . but it requires that you sign a “non-compete agreement.” You find yourself in a quandary: the non-compete seems to say that, if you leave this job for any reason, you can’t work in your industry for a full year. What are you going to do to pay the bills during that time? How should you respond? This Model Memo shows you how.
• Job Issues 32 – Model Memo Requesting an “In-The-Meantime” Clause or Agreement
  If you are offered a “deferred goal” from your employer, such as a Partnership, vesting of stock, forgiveness of a debt or repayment obligation, or bonus, but will not receive it until some date in the future, it is extremely wise to request that, if due to no fault of your own, the opportunity is taken away from you unexpectedly, you still receive the equivalent in cash or other “alternative goal.” That is what we call an “In-the-Meantime” clause. Most employees do not, and for many an unexpected intervening circumstance or event results in their extreme disappointment. This Model Memo shows you “What to Say and How to Say It.”™
• Job Issues 37 – Memo to Manager(s) Seeking Protections When Private Equity Investors Approach Ownership
  If your employer is soon to get Private Equity investors or owners, you can expect a lot of changes soon, including lowered salaries and compensation, reduced benefits, a freeze on hiring and promotions, and installation of new leadership with short-term perspectives. What can you do? You can request protections for yourself before these things take place. This Model Memo shows you “What to Say and How to Say It.”™
• Job Issues 39 – 50 Great Expressions of Workplace Gratitude and Appreciation
  The idea is simple, yet powerful: expressions of gratitude and appreciation are, in themselves, much appreciated, and strengthen the multiple bonds at work, with managers, with colleagues and with subordinates. Here are 50 great suggested expressions. All you have to do is to once in a while go through the list, and find one or more that can be authentically sent to someone in your work life. Over time it will build your reputation, strengthen your bonds with others, and motivate the best in all, as well. Why not?
• Key Person 2 – Request for a Key Man / Key Woman Clause or Agreement (For Use During Employment)
  Might you have the ability to bring in a hefty new Client? Want to make sure you don’t lose it if terminated or you resign, especially if you have a non-compete, garden leave, etc.? Then this may well be your wise choice to request. Simply put, “This client wants a Key Man / Key Woman clause, giving it the right to use my services whether I remain here or not, if that ever happens.” Well, it‘s not quite that simple, but this Model Letter, like all our Model Letters and Memos, shows you “What to Say, and How to Say It.”™