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:
Once you’ve let your boss know verbally, you should hand over a typed letter of resignation:
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.
