Resigning Information
When the time comes to resign from your job you’ll want to do it with the minimum of fuss and discomfort, but it’s important to remember that however upset you may feel, you need to maintain professionalism – you will almost certainly require a reference and you may come into contact with your work colleagues in the future. Knowledge of what to expect will help you prepare better and maintain composure, so this section has been written to give advice on how to handle the process:
1...If you’re resigning because you’re feeling angry about an event it’s best to sleep on it first – weigh up whether what’s happened is sufficient for you to give up this job, or if it might be better to ask for a meeting to discuss the matter with your manager. In the morning, if you’re still sure you’re doing the right thing, the first step is to write your formal resignation letter.
2...Your resignation letter should not contain a list of what’s gone wrong, but should include basic information such as the date you intend to leave following your notice period (check your Contract) and the position you are resigning from. Try to include a sentence about what you have gained from the employment, e.g. training and development and the positive aspects to why you are going – for example to gain more experience, or promotion opportunities to further your career. (See example letter below)
3...It is usual to inform your manager ‘face-to-face’ before handing in your resignation letter and you may be required to attend an ‘exit interview’. You will always be asked for your reasons for wanting to leave. Give constructive criticism if appropriate but don’t let it get personal – stick to the actions and facts and avoid subjective opinions.
4...Expect your employer to try to talk you out of your decision. This could take the form of offering an increase in salary, bonus or benefits, a promotion or new career path, or resolving whatever problem is making you want to leave. Your employer may also try to keep you by telling you how indispensable you are to the company, that you will be sorely missed by your colleagues, that you are letting them and the company down or remind you of everything they have done for you, making you feel that you owe it to them to change your mind.
5...Experience shows that in the majority of cases promises made by employers as a knee-jerk reaction to resignations are rarely kept. In the long term, the reasons people seek alternative employment will remain, i.e. the problems won’t go away as the company will rarely change for a single employee. Consider why it has taken the threat of leaving to bring about the change and remember that if you have worked hard and done a good job then you have fulfilled your obligations under your contract.
6...If you do decide to stay you should be aware that your employer may choose to look for a replacement at a time to suit themselves, may not have the same faith in you as they did before your resignation, or you may have to prove your commitment all over again before you are considered for future promotion.
7...If you are leaving because you’ve been offered another job – which you were excited enough about to have accepted – consider that this job will be lost forever if you stay with your present employer. You will never know what you may have missed and could regret your decision in the future when it’s too late – job opportunities are perishable commodities!
Example of a Resignation Letter
Dear
As required by my contract of employment, I hereby give you (your notice period goes here) notice of my intention to leave my position as (your job title goes here).
I have decided that it is time to move on and I have accepted a position elsewhere. This was not an easy decision and took a lot of consideration and as such my decision is final and irrevocable. However, I am confident that my new role will help me to move towards some of the goals I have for my career.
Please be assured that I will do all I can to assist in the smooth transfer of my responsibilities before leaving.
I wish both you and (the name of your current employer company goes here) every good fortune and I would like to thank you for having me as part of your team.
Yours sincerely,
