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Historically (pre-2010), most employers expected workers to stay at one company for 5 years or more. Frequent job changes were frowned upon. Quitting your job to take advantage of new opportunities is no longer unusual. Of course, it makes sense to have a new job before quitting your current job (doing otherwise will likely lead to financial instability). Today, views have broadened and an increasing number of professionals are changing jobs every few years to pursue their dreams. Some are even doing so in a bid to strike a healthy work-life balance. However, the way you resign is important. You do not want to “burn bridges” and it is a small world (you never know who you will encounter again in your career).
1. Leave Before You Hate Your Job:
You need to be honest and ask yourself if you still enjoy your current job and if you see a future in your current company. Before you go ahead and change your job, ask yourself if changing jobs really is the best way to accomplish what you want to achieve. Are you looking for additional challenges, more money, and additional responsibilities? Define why you are unhappy where you are and ensure that the only way to fix the issues is to move on.
Quitting your job to take advantage of new opportunities is no longer unusual. Of course, it makes sense to have a new job before quitting your current job (doing otherwise will likely lead to financial instability).Click To Tweet2. Inform Your Manager First:
Once you decide to change jobs and you have a job offer (for the job of your dreams), the first person you should inform is your manager. Generally speaking, a resignation is always a surprise but this surprise often becomes a shock when your manager hears it from another employee. He/she may feel insulted that his others knew before he did. Whatever your reasons for leaving, be considerate of your manager (and your company) and resign using the proper protocol.
3. Never Say Goodbye:
You know the saying – “the grass is always greener on the other side of the street”. While you may leave your organization for all of the right reasons, sometimes a new job just doesn’t work out. When that happens, many individuals look to rejoin the company they left. Occasionally, people rejoin companies many years later in a more senior role. Whatever the case, leave on a cordial note and keep in touch with your former coworkers and managers. You should always leave the door open a crack.
4. Be Professional during the Exit interview:
Trashing your organization during the exit interview is not recommended. Your exit interview should be presented in a way to provide feedback and constructive criticism. Don’t speak badly about the company, coworkers, or your manager. Instead, make it all about you (more responsibility, learning new skills, etc.) rather than the shortcomings of the firm or your manager. Thank them for having confidence in you and for the wonderful learning experience you’ve gained while working there.
Getting a job is like parking. You have to be in the right place at the right time. In How to Interview Like a Pro, author Mary Greenwood provides strategies and practical tips about how to prepare for job hunting and how to interview.
5. Focus on Your Resignation Letter
While the actual communication of your resignation will be in person (don’t ever resign via email!), always write a professional resignation letter addressed to your manager and HR. Keep it short and polite. It’s always better to be tactful than to regret it later. There are many examples of resignation letters on the Internet. The world isn’t dying to hear why you have been wanting to quit and what issues you have. Neither do they need your list of aspirations on record. So keep it short, professional and simple with an end date and a thank you note.
Whatever your reasons for resigning, always do it in the right way. The tips above will help ease the transition and allow you to maintain good terms with the employer you are leaving.
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