Since you can't be sure when your future employers will call to ask for references or verify a certain work experience, a job should be left as peacefully as possible, with elegance and dignity. This is important to remember whatever the reason you do it, however much the cause is due to a conflict. When you are sure you want to leave a company, preparing for your resignation and giving it with respect and dignity guarantees you a process that will take place in the most professional and polite way possible.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Prepare to Resign
Step 1. Determine the details to make sure you don't hesitate
Before announcing your resignation, you need to put your plans in order. The last thing you want is to give out false or anything but definitive information while trying to get away.
- If you don't order everything in detail, it can be more difficult for the current employer to hire a replacement and regroup after your resignation.
- Such a situation could lead you to end your employment relationship negatively, with bad references and / or at the risk of actually being fired instead of leaving of your own accord.
- You must be absolutely sure that you want to resign. Whether you've found work elsewhere or are leaving for other reasons, it's important to stick to the plan after making the announcement.
Step 2. To leave safely, give notice according to the contract
Determine exactly what the last day of work will be and inform the company in advance, following company policy. For your current and future employer (if there is one), it is more important to know the exact date you will leave this job.
- For most companies and positions, sending notice on time is customary and acceptable.
- However, the company may take longer due to specific business needs.
- For example, if you are the only person working in the IT department, you will likely be asked to stop for some extra time to allow the employer to find a replacement.
Step 3. Ask for a break to deal with private matters
If you need to resolve a personal problem, be sure to communicate the necessary dates or times that you will need to find a solution before your discharge.
For example, if you move to another location or resign due to illness, the boss may be flexible and offer you time to deal with private matters
Step 4. Try to get to work until the last day
After you resign, it may be difficult to stay for the remaining time. This can be for many reasons, such as being fed up with this job or eager to start a new one.
- If you leave your current job before the day you should do so, it is likely that this behavior will be considered insubordination.
- This will exclude you from possible future rehiring and prompt the boss to give bad references about you.
Step 5. Write a resignation letter and sign it
A communication of this type is generally very short and direct. Here's what you should write:
- Start with a formal greeting addressed to the supervisor and / or other people to be notified. For example, write "Dear Mr. Bianchi,".
- Continue with a sentence that clearly expresses the purpose of the letter, such as “I am sending this letter to resign from my position as project manager…”.
- Indicate the last day you will go to work. To the previous sentence, add “… starting from 6 September 2014.”.
- Thank the boss for giving you the chance to work for / with him. For example, write “Please accept my thanks for giving me the opportunity to gain new knowledge, skills and abilities in the industry”.
- Close politely by writing "Thank you" or "Sincerely".
- Write your name and sign yourself.
Step 6. Set up a meeting with your manager or human resources
First, you need to know who you should be alerting. You will likely need to speak to your direct supervisor.
- However, in some cases it may be necessary for a member of human resources to be present as well.
- For example, this is necessary if you are leaving due to a conflict with your supervisor or a known human resource issue. Once you know which people will be attending the meeting, set a time.
- It would be best to attend the meeting in person, so that you have a face-to-face meeting in the same office or in another location.
- If you are not nearby, a phone call is enough.
- For example, it is preferable if you have to drive for four hours or take a plane just to talk to the supervisor.
- When you request to schedule a meeting, you don't have to explain why. All you need to say is "Can you take a few minutes today to discuss an important issue?"
Method 2 of 2: Finalize the Resignation
Step 1. Thank him for taking the time to see you
Since it was you who requested the meeting, you should check its progress. To set a positive tone, you should thank the employer for taking the time and listening to what you have to say.
For example, you can say "I know you are very busy today, so thank you for giving me a few minutes of your time."
Step 2. Break the news
Just say you have decided to leave the company. While it is not mandatory, you can also provide a brief explanation, provided this will not give rise to controversy.
- For example, you can say "I've decided to resign to pursue another opportunity." or "I made the decision to leave the company for personal reasons.".
- Then, announce the date you will leave work. As stated above, you can give notice as determined by the contract, unless otherwise stated.
Step 3. Thank him for giving you the opportunity to learn and grow with the company
Many jobs offer an employee great knowledge and experience, and generally this allows them to enrich their background and advance a career.
Recognizing this is important, as is conveying gratitude. This way, you will leave a lasting good impression
Step 4. Offer to find and / or train the person who will replace you in order to facilitate the transition
If you are leaving while remaining on good terms with the company and want to help find a replacement, you can offer your assistance.
- Offering assistance to hire or train the person who will replace you takes a lot of weight off the boss or human resources, who may not know your job in depth.
- The employer may not accept the offer, but this offer serves to show that you are kind and loyal to the company.
Step 5. Request a letter of recommendation
If you are leaving peacefully, making this request can benefit you. It's ideal even if you don't need it right now.
- You cannot be sure of the amount of references a future employer may require.
- Consequently, it is best to request a letter of recommendation while your work is still fresh in the supervisor's mind.
Step 6. Ask questions about the next steps
All companies have special procedures to implement when someone resigns. If they are not explained to you during the meeting, you should ask.
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For example, ask "How do we proceed from now on?" or "Do I have to do something in particular from today to the last day?". Here is some important information to know:
- Ask if there will be a final interview. This meeting allows the employee who has resigned to make constructive criticism of the company and present other opinions.
- You need to know what is the procedure to follow to return what belongs to the company (phone, car, computer, tablet, etc.).
- You must be aware of any documents to be signed.
Resign Elegantly Step 13 Step 7. Give your resignation letter after signing it
Towards the end of the meeting, deliver this document. It should include the details described above, which you should also have expressed verbally. The letter will be archived by human resources.
Resign Elegantly Step 14 Step 8. Avoid lying
You need to be honest throughout the process that leads you to resign. If you don't want to give too much away, it's better to give vague information or say absolutely nothing.
- For example, if you don't want to explain that you are resigning because you don't believe the company is ethical, you can simply say that you are leaving for personal reasons.
- Being vague is better than lying and saying you need to take care of a family member.
Resign Elegantly Step 15 Step 9. Don't list all the negative aspects of the job
It is best to make the meeting as positive as possible, without presenting the list of the many negative characteristics that prompted you to leave. However, if you quit for a specific problem that you want to explain, you can express it.
Either way, it is one thing to explain a single problem and quite another to illustrate an endless list of negative aspects that contributed to your decision
Resign Elegantly Step 16 Step 10. Be modest to avoid looking arrogant
Don't visibly gloat over your new profession or life choice. If you're happy with what's going to happen on a personal or business level, it's natural to want to talk to others about it, but don't overdo it.
- In fact, during the meeting and before the last day, it is important to express your emotions as little as possible, behaving discreetly.
- If you are all talking about your new life, this could generate negative feelings related to your resignation, such as resentment or anger.
Resign Elegantly Step 17 Step 11. Always be courteous
In whatever context you are, it is imperative to be as polite and respectful as possible, from the moment you decide to resign to the last day of work. You absolutely don't know who these people will know or interact with in the future.
