Quitting can be a liberating experience, but it's not as simple as packing your bags, you can't yell at your boss and walk out of the building. Leaving a job requires a certain amount of tact to keep the doors open to new opportunities for the future. The following article will tell you how to quit your job in the best possible way. If you know how to resign while minimizing harm and maintaining a cordial relationship with your company, follow these instructions.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Quitting the Traditional Way
Step 1. Make a plan for what will happen next
If you are fired, you will not be able to receive unemployment. Therefore you will need to plan how to have an alternative source of income to the job you are leaving. In theory, you shouldn't resign until you've found another job, as it is very difficult to find one when you are unemployed.
- Don't assume you can make do until you find another job. In the current economic situation it is difficult for unemployed people to find a new one. This means that you may be unemployed for longer than you think. So don't quit a job in an impulsive moment of anger, thinking you can take care of the aftermath.
- Find another job before you leave. You will need to spend some time evaluating the job market before you step down. Do not lie during interviews and admit that you are already busy, but looking for a new job reality.
- Save some money for when you are unemployed. If you can't stand the work you're doing anymore, use your savings account so you can leave earlier. This means you have to plan your expenses until you find another job. When you set aside your savings, calculate a longer unemployment period, just to be safe.
- When you leave, be sure to do it for the right reasons. Don't quit just because you feel undervalued or underpaid without talking to your manager first. If you don't try to solve problems in your current job, you may not be able to tackle them in the next one.
Step 2. Give two weeks notice
This is a due thing. Remember that the company is counting on you and will need to find a replacement. Follow the company policy regarding notice, and allow all the time required by your contract.
- Even if the company does not take more than two weeks, but you are one of the very few employees, use common sense and consider adequate notice so that the company can find an alternative solution to your resignation.
- Don't break the news too soon. Again, use common sense. If you know you need to quit because you plan to move to another country with your family within a few months, avoid talking about it until the time is right to avoid creating a bad atmosphere in the workplace.
Step 3. Tell your boss
Unless there are special conditions that prevent you from speaking directly to your manager, or you work away from the headquarters, you will need to be strong and face him face to face. If you send him a letter or email, you will seem weak and unprofessional, as well as too shy to engage in a conversation. Worse still, your boss may feel that you are not good enough for you to "waste" time talking to him. Here are some tips on what to say during the conversation:
- Make sure your manager is the first in the company to know about your intentions. Don't tell your colleague, no matter how familiar you are with him, and don't do anything stupid, like post a few comments on Facebook about the new job, or update your LinkedIn profile with the new job, before you have talked to your supervisor.
- Be concise and positive. If you've made an appointment with the boss, you should get straight to the point. Simply tell him that you want to resign.
- Be polite and kind about the reasons for your decision. Don't tell him that you feel undervalued or overworked, or that you hate the company philosophy.
- If you've found a new job, just tell him, "I've found a new job that fits my goals more," or tell him that the new job industry focuses more on your interests, such as teaching. If you haven't found another occupation, simply say, "I want to go ahead and give myself another chance," or, "This is the best thing for me and my family to do."
- Thank your supervisor. Tell him that you have had a great work experience and that you have learned a lot. Be sincere in showing appreciation for all the efforts your boss has made for you. Don't overdo it, though: give thanks without being servile or flattering. After all, you are leaving.
- Ask him if you can mention him for a recommendation in the future. His references can be of great help to your career.
- Maintain professionalism. This is not the time to bring up personal issues you have had at work, or unrelated to work (such as gossip, disagreements with colleagues over personal matters, refusal of certain duties). Remember that your boss can be contacted by another potential employer, so it's best if you keep a civil communication open.
Step 4. Be prepared to answer his questions
In most cases, your boss will not just nod, nodding to your every word and then wishing you good luck. He'll want to ask you questions about your decision, and you need to be professional and thoughtful, and keep a quiet conversation. Here's what you need to be prepared for:
- Make a transition plan. Your boss will ask you how you plan to manage the projects you have in progress and how you will organize the division of your responsibilities among the other employees. Whatever you have decided, show him that you have thought about the various solutions and that you will not leave the company in trouble.
- Know what to respond to a possible counter-proposal. What do you do if your boss suddenly offered you a 10 or even 20% pay raise? What if he intends to double it? If he really wants to hold you back, will you be able to refuse? When evaluating these assumptions, think about the real reasons why you are leaving.
- If the reason for your resignation is pay that you don't consider fair, then you may want to seriously consider his proposition. But if you leave for non-financial issues, then don't be tempted or you will continue to be miserable.
- Know what to answer if your boss asks you for more notice. If he needs you for an extra week or two to finish a project, what will you answer?
Step 5. Write a formal resignation letter
You can do this after talking to your manager to make things even more official. But first, you need to evaluate the company philosophy. If there is no need for formal writing, do not waste time filling it out, but if it is required, commit to writing it.
- The letter is another important component of the resignation, because your intentions are written down. If you give two weeks' notice, the letter will be the counter-proof of the effective date, and the company will not be able to ask you to stay longer.
- Address the letter to the company and put the date of the day you deliver it to your boss. This is a formality that can help you in case a dispute arises regarding the date of writing and delivery of the letter.
- State your intentions to resign. "This is the formal communication that I (name), resign from (position) from (company)." No matter how difficult it may seem to write a resignation letter; it is important to be clear and transparent in case problems arise.
- Set the date of your last day of work. You write: "After two weeks' notice, I will leave my job on (write the date)." If the notice is greater, specify it.
- Say thank you. "I appreciate all the opportunities the company (company name) has given me, and I hope it will be successful in the future." This is an essential part if you want to maintain a friendly style.
- Sign the letter. Use "Best Regards" as a closing phrase, followed by your name and position.
Step 6. Be professional after notifying your boss of your resignation
As explained above, potential employers often call in the background to figure out what kind of employee you are. Leaving a bitter note can prevent you from getting the job you want or might get in the future. Once you officially resign, you need to complete all pending projects and commit to your work, instead of wasting time and daydreaming about the day you leave.
Do what they ask you to do in your last 2 weeks. While it's easy to slack off or not want to find a replacement, a former employer who accuses you of these actions can damage your image. So do your best to make the transition easier. You certainly don't want to penalize your colleagues by leaving them your homework incomplete
Step 7. When your last day arrives, leave the company in a courteous and friendly manner
Don't throw all your stuff in one box with a dramatic attitude and then run out. Instead, take the time to greet colleagues and tell them you will stay in touch.
- After all, you have dedicated many years to the company and you have probably made some friends. Keep in touch if it makes you feel good.
- You can send an e-mail addressed to all your colleagues, leaving them your contact details, or organize an evening all together, if you are really on good terms.
- Avoid making negative statements about your former company and your former colleagues in the future. It might always remind you to work with them. Also, if these words of yours reach the ears of the new employer, you could make an appearance of the ungrateful and the one who always complains.
Method 2 of 2: Get "fired"
Step 1. Evaluate the benefits of "getting fired" rather than "fired"
Being "fired" doesn't mean you have to drive your boss to the point of wanting to fire you. Rather, it means talking to your supervisor about the possibility of getting fired. In these terms you can get unemployment until you find another job. Unemployment is only given to people who lose their jobs without being to blame.
- This only works in certain circumstances. For example, if the responsibilities are too many to handle, you can speak to your boss bluntly and push the company into an "agreed dismissal".
- If you decide to choose this method, you must have a good reason. This means that you are valuable to the company, but you want to take some time for a new project, or to be with your family.
- This method only works if you don't have to switch to another company. If, on the other hand, you are simply changing jobs, you will benefit from the new job.
- For this solution to be viable, you need to have a good relationship with your boss, who probably knows you well and knows how much added value you bring to the company.
Step 2. Talk to your supervisor about your current situation
This may be difficult for you, but it could benefit both of you. After telling him you want to leave, you should honestly tell him you want to be "fired". Here's what you should say:
- Explain why you want to leave. Be honest. It may be because your position requires too many responsibilities and you need a break so as not to compromise your mental health, or you want to pursue other projects.
- Try influencing your boss and making him fire you. Even if you can't ask them openly, it may spontaneously come up during the conversation. If you are in confidence, he may offer to fire you as this would improve your post-work situation.
- Know that this means you have less control over the day you can leave. If you are looking to get fired, you have no power to determine when your last day on the job will be. It could be the same day or much later.
Step 3. Apply for unemployment
The award criteria change according to the current legislation.
You will receive checks for a certain period, or until you find another job
Advice
- Make sure you have a "plan B" after your resignation. If you have another job, then be prepared to take on it. If not, you should have enough money to feel good until you find one.
- It's always a good idea to introduce yourself to your last day of work at the company with a positive attitude and a thank you note for your supervisor. It will make you look like a good person and a good employee. In this case the last impressions are as important as the first ones!
- Don't tell anyone you're going to resign until you've talked to your boss. If it gets to your manager's ear, you could find yourself in a bad situation.
- Write your resignation letter as concisely as possible. Be tactful, avoid nicknames, and don't point fingers at others.
