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The Right Way to Resign

Regardless of why you’re quitting a job, it’s essential to resign in a thoughtful, professional manner.

The way you resign from your job could affect your future as a professional. If you quit in a positive, professional manner, you are in a position to get professional references and maintain your network connections.

Below is a shortlist on the best way to resign and move on correctly.

Before Handing in Your Resignation

Before formally quitting a job, you ought to be sure you are making the right choice. If you’ve taken a job offer, then leaving is a necessary no-brainer. However, in some situations, such as those involving abusive or other unethical behavior, you may want to have a good exit strategy before formally quitting. So long as you’re not putting yourself in any risk by remaining a bit longer, it’s important to line up a new job or save at least six months’ worth of expenses before quitting. Not doing that could make a bad situation even worse.

Before officially quitting, it’s also important to think through the transition for your colleagues and your current employer. If you quit and it puts people behind the 8-ball, you going to stir up a lot of resentment, and for no good reason. Think about ways you can make the transition as easy as possible for other people before you reveal your decision.

Dropping the Hammer, the Right Way

If you really don’t like your job, it can be very tempting to march into your boss’s office and reel off a litany of complaints. Resist that temptation.

Instead, be cordial and provide two weeks’ advance notice of your departure. If the transition for your colleagues and company will be particularly complicated, consider giving longer than two weeks’ notice. Either way, provide an exact final date, so there is no confusion.

Be sure your boss first is the first person to find out about your resignation. Don’t let your boss find out through the rumor mill because it will only cause resentment.

Ideally, you should tender your resignation in person. If you work remotely and that’s not possible, then a formal resignation letter over email is the next best thing. If possible, avoid resigning over the phone. Not only is quitting over the phone a bit impersonal, but it also makes it more difficult to use the right language in this delicate situation, as you could with an email.

Before Your Last Day

Your responsibilities don’t end after handing in your notice. You still have to follow-through on a transition plan and participate in an exit interview.

Make sure you tie up all loose ends before you walk out the door for the last time. Don’t forget about the more personal stuff like transferring over your 401k and asking for letters of recommendation.

In the exit interview, politely explain why you made the decision to quit. Keep the focus on yourself and not what you think is wrong with the company.

Let Us Help You Find Your Next Job

If you are currently looking to move on from your job situation, please contact us today. We can connect you to a wide range of exciting career possibilities.

Blog published date

Nov 28, 2019
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