The time has come to make a change, be it a new career or just a new challenge. Resigning is a fairly simple process: you give advance notice, preferably in advance. But if you don't want to completely cut ties and don't want to create problems for future opportunities, you need to be very careful and discreet. Resigning is easy, but doing it smartly isn't. This article details several ways a person can resign with confidence and without resentment.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Picking the Right Time
Step 1. Try to finish with a flourish
Many resign when they are completely exhausted and feel they can no longer work for that particular company. This sentiment leads to a decline in productivity. While understandable, you should always try to work your best and finish your homework as best you can. You may need a letter of recommendation from your boss (or maybe you may find yourself working with him sooner or later). So it is much better to be remembered as a reliable and honest employee who worked hard until the last day.
- Find out what kind of benefits you might be eligible for. If you are about to be fired, you can get paid or unemployment benefits. This can be very useful if you don't have a secure job. However, dismissing you can affect your rights to enjoy any benefits. In some cases it is better to receive this type of subsidy while looking for another job in the meantime.
- Be sure to inform yourself about the basic retirement rules.
Step 2. Plan to give notice
If you want to get away in the best possible way, don't leave your employer in the lurch forcing him to go out of his way to cover your position. Give at least two weeks' notice (or the minimum notice required by your contract) so that your boss can be prepared to replace you, or have time to train the person who will.
Even if the contract does not specify the notice period, it is good to give at least 2-3 weeks: in less than two weeks your employer will probably not be able to find an adequate replacement, while, in the case of more than three weeks, it will will ask what you are still doing there
Step 3. Keep it to yourself
Once you have made this decision, don't go and tell it around the whole company, because the rumor could reach your line manager. Be foresighted like a good family man and know that knowledge is power.
- Give your boss or supervisor time to absorb and process the news. If the company offered you an attractive counter offer, it would be embarrassing if you had already announced your plans to your colleagues.
- Find the right way to communicate your resignation to the rest of the staff once you have talked to your manager. He could send an email to the whole company or he could ask you to do it yourself with a personal note. Don't tell anyone you're leaving before discussing these details with your boss.
Step 4. Complete any pending paperwork
This behavior denotes respect and both your boss and your co-workers will appreciate it. Finish the projects you have started and draw up guidelines for the person who will replace you. Consider creating a file explaining where you put all your long-term work and providing all essential information to your replacement. Make sure the documents are tidy and labeled, that they are easy to find (you don't want desperate colleagues to call you home because they can't find them).
This step is very important, especially if you work in a group. Once you have resigned, discuss with your co-workers how to divide the tasks until someone takes over for you
Part 2 of 3: Writing the Resignation Letter
Step 1. Know what not to write in the letter
Don't be rude, dismissive or simplistic. You may need to keep in touch with your boss in the future (or you may still be working with him), so it's best to be respectful. Either way, some bad words could come back to haunt you.
Here's an example of what not to write: "Mr. Rossi: I'm leaving. I hate working here. You are ugly and stupid. Besides, you owe me 3,000 euros for unused rest and back holidays. You suck. Paolo."
Step 2. Write it properly
There are some details that make the difference between a good letter and a fantastic one. Here are some guidelines to follow.
Here is an example of a standard letter: "Dear Mr. Rossi, it has been an honor to work for Rossi Srl. This letter to inform you that I am leaving this job because I have accepted a position in another company starting from [write a date that is at least two weeks from the date of your conversation and letter]. Please accept my thanks to your company and best regards to you and the entire company for the future. Best regards, Paolo Bianchi"
Step 3. Try to be respectful and friendly
If you call yourself you, address him in this way also in the letter. You don't need to be overly formal if you and the boss have a more confidential relationship. Also, this will give a friendly touch to the letter and sweeten the pill.
Step 4. Show your appreciation for the company
Even if you hated every second you worked on it, try to find something nice to say. Something like: "I think I learned a lot about the production of extruded steels working here" is appropriate (although in commas it means more: "I have learned a lot about the production of extruded steels, and above all that I never want to work in this field again! ").
Step 5. Reflect on your successes
Don't brag, but mention a couple of projects you've worked on and are proud of. This is important because your letter will be archived, along with any negative notes and good results.
Reporting your positive performance will help you find a job in a company that shares the same HR department and will have access to your personal folder
Step 6. Finish with a thank you note
Indicate the people you have had the opportunity to work with and whom you value (including the boss).
You say something like, "I would never have achieved my goal of becoming a prolific author without the teachings and experience I have gained in this fantastic company." You may want to thank your boss directly and add any names of people you particularly respect
Step 7. Take a copy of the letter with you when you go to your manager's office
You should avoid emailing it as it is considered very unprofessional. Print it out and hand it to your boss when you discuss your resignation.
Part 3 of 3: Talk to the Boss
Step 1. Ask your boss for an appointment to discuss an important issue
Go to his office and ask to be able to steal a moment of his time. Respect the fact that your manager also has a job to do, and may not be able to leave everything at the exact moment you decide to break the news. You can also ask him if he has time for a meeting the next day. This gives him the opportunity to carve out some time to focus on you.
If he's too busy, you might just be an extra nuisance, so wait for the moment when he can give you some time (if possible)
Step 2. Be prepared, direct and courteous
Practicing privately will help you get ready when your supervisor asks you to speak. Most managers are extremely busy and will appreciate if you get straight to the point; therefore give up the temptation to make a difficult situation less unpleasant, to waste time finding the right way to say it, or to be vague and ambiguous. You should say something like:
- "I've been considering my options here for some time now, and I've decided it's time for me to look forward. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had here, but I've decided to walk away."
- Or… "I have to inform you that I have been offered a position in another company. I have been fine here, but I have decided to leave. It is okay for you if my last day of work is [any date two weeks from now.]?"
Step 3. Be prepared to discuss it
Chances are, having worked for your boss for some time, whatever the reasons you are leaving, he will want to ask questions. Be prepared to answer in a concise and understandable way.
If you leave because you hate your job, try to sweeten the response and not be offensive. Instead of the words "I hate working here" you might say, "I think it's time to change my career."
Step 4. Consider the possibility of a counter offer
Your boss may like you more than you think, and make you a counter offer. Being kind and polite when you resign could be the reason. You must therefore consider staying for a pay raise, benefits, promotion, or other incentive upfront.
- This can be a great negotiation opportunity, so be prepared to take it, and know how willing you are to come to terms. What might make you consider staying on? Read carefully the warnings in the appropriate section, further down, because counter-proposals can have serious disadvantages.
- If a counter offer is made to you, be sure to request that it be put in writing and signed. These signatures should preferably be from your boss, supervisor, and HR department.
- When considering their offer, honestly think back to why you want to leave and protect your interests. While a pay raise is a good thing, it certainly doesn't solve other problems that require promotion (if your career is stalled) or a transfer to another department (if you have personal conflicts with the boss).
Step 5. Emphasize the positive
Be honest, but polite. If the boss asks you if he was a determining factor in your decision to fire you, and indeed he is, you better use tact and diplomacy so that an honest answer is acceptable at the same time.
In other words, it won't help you to say, "Yes, you were an insufferable supervisor and I (or anyone else) would have been much better off without you" (even if that were true). You can be realistic without being cruel: "It was a factor, but not the only reason. I felt that our way of working and approach to things diverged and that we were never compatible as I hoped we would be. However the experience here has been positive, and in this moment I am happy to face new challenges."
Step 6. Think ahead
Remember that the goal of elegantly resigning is to always put yourself in a good light with the people you have had a working relationship with. If you snub everyone about your near-ex job, they probably won't write you a good recommendation letter or maybe they won't pass you strategic information about a vacancy in the sales department they heard about from a friend of theirs. Being tactful, courteous, and intelligent when resigning will ensure that you have done the right thing for your future success.
- Some bosses don't take well that "you" decide. Make sure you can afford to leave the same day, as sometimes your supervisor takes it personally. He may tell you that there is no need for advance warning and that you can leave right away. You are the one who has to judge the situation, so try to understand if your boss is someone who behaves this way. But know that you can't always predict what others will do.
- Review your contract; you need to know what the conditions, yours and the company, are when the employment relationship ends. If there is no formal employment contract, familiarize yourself with the provincial or state law provisions.
Step 7. Shake hands, smile, and say thanks
If your reason for leaving is a relocation, looking for a better job, or simply no longer dealing with an individual within the company, show that you have class when you leave.
- Shake hands, thank your "very soon ex" boss (cheers!) For everything and get out of his office.
- Go back to your station and stay there for at least 10 minutes. Now you can go and tell everyone, but don't rage at the boss; do it in style and simply communicate that you will soon be leaving.
Step 8. After notifying your supervisor, be sure to mention that you have also resigned from other managers or employees you have worked with
Say it gratefully and "thank" the people who have helped you move forward in your career.
For example, "I don't know if you heard, but I resigned to accept a position in another company. Before I left I wanted to make sure you knew how much I enjoyed working with you." These people may go away to work elsewhere and you want them to have a good memory of you. Who knows that in the future they may not affect your next career
Advice
- Remember that there are very few people who are truly free, like those who have nothing to lose. It won't do you any good to go around and blurt out everything to everyone just because you're leaving. It won't hurt you to behave yourself for two weeks as you are leaving and you will soon leave the whole experience behind.
- The jerk you leave behind today could become your boss tomorrow, or even worse your subordinate in the future. And remember that sometimes these people are oblivious to the fact that they don't like it. If you are remembered as a positive and generous person, things will go smoothly in the future, as your old boss, who has become your "new" boss (and remember your nice face) will put you ahead of others. for a new position. This can facilitate transfers to other branches, better assignments, and more.
