Hopefully handing in your notice is not something that you will have extensive experience of throughout your career. The days of the having one “job for life” are long gone, but moving around too much in your career, is to be avoided for those intent on maximising their talents.
Resigning can be a stressful process, and below are some tips for making the process as painless as possible:
Never give your notice until you have the new job offer in writing. It does not happen that verbal offers are rescinded, but it can be monumentally embarrassing, inconvenient and damaging. This clearly does not apply when leaving to undertake a period of travel, study or other personal circumstances.
Always write a resignation letter and date it. It is a formal, even legal document, not to mention it shows courtesy and convention.
Always resign to your line manager in person where possible. Resigning to someone else because they are more approachable is cowardly and ultimately reflects badly on your reputation.
Tell your manager before you tell your colleagues. This is the professional way of doing things - it is not ideal if your Manager hears it from someone else before you are able to tell them.
Never hand in your resignation as a negotiating ploy. It is cynical, risky and rarely adds to your regard within the organisation.
Similarly, carefully consider all attempts to retain you with more cash or responsibility now or in the future. Research concludes that those who succumb to counter offers have left for good within twelve months. Usually if you have decided to leave, the reasons for leaving do not change with a pay increase and more responsibility.
No matter how tempting, do not suddenly start telling everyone what you think of him or her, how glad you are to be leaving or what you think of the company. All good employers will conduct an exit interview, through which it is possible to give balanced and constructive opinions.
Above all - leave on good terms and keep in touch. At best you can extend your network and worst you never know who you may come across in the future.
Before making a decision to leave, there are three absolute maxims to adhere to. Firstly, explore all possibilities internally that will bring you closer to your career goals. Secondly, be honest with yourself and what you want from your next position including progression, salary and company culture. Thirdly, you should always move on to something better! Make sure your reasons for leaving are you being proactive as opposed to reactive.
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