How to Resign
Getting through it
You’ve accepted the job offer, you’ve negotiated the salary and there’s only
one thing left to do: resign from your current job. Here’s how to do it:
Tell the boss
The first thing you’ll need to do is tell your boss. Whilst you should certainly
hand over a formal letter, before that you should sit down face-to-face and let
your boss know informally:
• Prepare what you’re going to say beforehand and try and anticipate your boss’s
reaction
• Be positive about your time at work and be grateful for the opportunities
you’ve been given
• Remain calm, professional and polite and, no matter how tempting it is,
resist the urge to get personal
Once you’ve let your boss know verbally, you should hand over a typed letter
of resignation:
• At the very least, your letter should include the position you are resigning
from and the date you intend to leave
• Although not essential, you might want to thank your employer for the
opportunities you have been given and offer your willingness to ensure a
smooth handover
• Whilst constructive criticism is acceptable, don’t get personal or you’ll
risk your reference and your reputation
Finally, make sure you stick to the reasons you’ve given for leaving. Telling
your boss one thing and your colleagues another risks compromising your
professionalism and making your last few weeks feel awkward.
The counter offer
If you’re a loyal employee and you’ve done a good job, the chances are your boss
won’t want to see you go. The most likely way an employer will try and make you
stay is by offering you a pay rise either equal to or above what you’ve been
offered in your new job.
You should take any counter offer seriously and carefully consider how you would
feel about staying in the same job but with a better salary. This may help remind
you of the other reasons you have for leaving and help you make your decision.
Employers may also try and lure you into staying with the promise of promotion
and increased responsibility. Again, you should think carefully about what this
means but don’t forget that you’ll be working in the same organisation, with
the same people and probably under the same boss.
Your notice period
Whatever the length of your notice period, you’re legally obliged to work it,
unless your employer is willing to waive it. If you have a written contract of
employment, you should find details of your notice period there, otherwise, you
should allow between two weeks and a month.
It’s easy to imagine your last few weeks as a time to relax and stop making an
effort, but this is seldom the case. You’ll probably have plenty to keep you
busy, finalising any outstanding work and ensuring you properly handover your
responsibilities.
What’s more, being seen to make the effort right up until your last day will
ensure your reputation as a professional and reliable employee remains intact.
And you never know when you might deal with your employer again: one day they
may be your client.
Finally, make sure you allow time to say goodbye to everyone and swap contact
details with as many colleagues as you can. Moving jobs is a great way to
extend your network and you may find you see some of your colleagues again
sooner than you think.
Feel good
Last of all, don’t feel guilty about resigning. Feel good. Working is a business
arrangement and moving jobs is part of that arrangement.
Whilst others may think you’re resigning from a perfectly good job, you’re the
one in control of your career and only you can decide which direction it should
take. If resigning from your job will bring you closer to meeting your goals,
then it’s a legitimate step on your career path. Just remember to tread carefully.