resign | Journey

6 Tips for Writing a Resignation Letter

By Job Journey on Friday, October 23, 2015

Whether you are ready for a career change or have been offered a new job, leaving your current one can be both exciting and tricky.

Sometimes, it’s tempting to get all the negative things off your chest about everything you think is wrong with the company in your resignation letter, but it’s in your best interest to remain professional, polite, and unemotional. With the right wording, you can leave your job on good terms and ensure a positive reputation, so take a look at these tips to help you write your resignation letter.

Keep letters of resignation positive. Don’t burn your bridges with allegations of mistreatment or insults. By keeping resignation letters positive, you also avoid the risk of libel or defamation, and you increase the likelihood that your boss will give you a future reference.
Give verbal notification of your resignation to your immediate supervisor first. After the verbal notification, follow up with resignation letters to your boss, other managers, and the human resources department.
Keep it simple. Although you’ve probably shared your reasons for leaving with your boss, you don’t have to share them in your letter. Just simply state the position you are resigning from and the date of your last day.
Don’t forget gratitude. It’s always a good idea to thank the company for the job and the opportunities you were given. Add a few things you enjoyed about the job or a few successes you achieved. Remember – you want to leave a positive impression.
Offer to help with transitions. Another way to leave with a glowing reputation is to offer to ease the challenges of your leaving. Don’t promise anything you don’t want to do, but add that you’d be willing to help with the transition and a smooth wrap-up of all your duties.
End with a smile. At the conclusion of your letter, thank the organization again for the opportunities you were given and wish them luck and success.

Here’s a good example of a basic resignation letter that covers all our tips.

Dear (Boss),

Please accept my official notice of resignation. I am grateful for all the work we have been able to accomplish at (company name). However, I (have accepted another position) (have decided to move forward with my career) and plan to leave in two weeks. My final date will be (date).

I will work with you to wrap up as much as possible in the next two weeks to make my resignation as smooth as it can be. If you have any suggestions on how we can best accomplish that goal, please let me know.

I appreciate all the opportunities this position has granted me, and I wish (company name) success in the future.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

Have you ever written a resignation letter? If so, share your experiences with us in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Workplace Relationships

I RESIGN – The Best Way to Quit Your Job

By Job Journey on Friday, August 1, 2014

Giving your resignation to your boss is never an easy thing to do.

You may not get along with your boss or you may dislike your job, but it’s still important to quit your job professionally and with tact. If you’re preparing to resign from a job, plan it out and handle it as carefully as you would any other business decision. Don’t burn your bridges, because you never know when a former employer will come in handy for as an ever-important reference.

If you are absolutely certain that it’s time for you to resign from your job, here are some tips to make quitting a little easier and more professional.

Always give notice.
Chances are, your employee handbook spells out how much notice you should give. If it does, then abide by it or offer at least two weeks of notice. If you absolutely cannot stay a minute longer, here are some acceptable reasons for not giving notice.

Stick to your guns.
Sometimes, your boss might ask you to stay a little longer than two weeks. You have no obligation to stay, but the decision is ultimately up to you. Offer to help your previous employer by training someone during your two weeks or answering questions that may be emailed to you in the coming weeks.

Write a formal resignation letter.
Be professional in the letter, submit it, and tell your immediate supervisors about your decision. Need tips on how to write a resignation letter? Check out these tips.

Keep it short and sweet.
Emphasize the positive things you gained at the company, but be firm about your decision to leave. Offer to help during the transition, and try to keep negativity out of the letter. You may have great reasons for leaving, but there’s no point in hashing it out – you’re leaving anyway, so make sure you leave on good terms.

Ask for a reference.
Always ask for a written letter of recommendation for future employers.

The devil is in the details.
Before leaving, get your employee benefits, unused vacation, sick pay, and retirement funds all in order. Some great tips about employee benefits are available here.

Don’t take what doesn’t belong to you.
Sure, this may seem like common sense, but even your email list might fall under this category. Before you leave, return important documents, property like cell phones, keys, and anything else that you didn’t personally buy.

Stay present.
It’s easy to check out that final week of work, but keep doing your best. Being professional up to the very end will pay off.

Leaving a job and turning in a resignation is a stressful transition. Take time to decompress and renew your spirit to make sure you have the right state of mind to hit the ground running at your new job.

Have you ever resigned from your job? How did you handle it? Share with us in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

At Work Career Advancement

Quit with Class

By Rachel Rudisill on Tuesday, April 17, 2012

If you’ve been looking for a job, it may not be because you don’t have one, but because you’re ready to move on to something new. If that is case, you’ve got a task to take care of once you find that new job, quitting your current one. Here are three things to consider before you head out the door.

1. Think it through.
Before you give notice to your current employer, make sure this is a step you want to take. Confirm you have a true job offer and that you’ve been accepted into the new job. Make sure you understand the function of the job you’ve been offered, agreed to the pay and benefits, and have an understanding of when the job will start. Jumping in too quickly to give you’re “I’m outta here” speech could end badly if things fall through with the new job.
Also, before you make your big announcement take some time to retrieve any work files, contact information, or personal belongings just in case you’re requested to make a fast exit after you give notice. It’s common to work two weeks after you give notice, but some workplaces have a policy to walk people out once they quit. It’s best to prepare yourself for that before you make your announcement.

2. Remain calm and professional.
While you may dream of walking in and telling your boss to shove it, this really isn’t going to benefit you in the long run. It’s okay to inform them of your reasons for leaving, be it the lack of opportunity for advancement or development, the pay, or the schedule, but going off on a rant won’t communicate your message effectively. If possible, offer to work for two more weeks to give the employer some time to start looking for your replacement.

3. Leave a lasting positive impression.
Think of ways to make your job easy for the next person to walk into. Discuss with your manager the production schedule and work load you’re leaving and update them on the status of your projects. If you work with equipment, make sure to create a log of when the machine had its last routine maintenance, what supplies may need to be ordered, and any challenges that may occur. If you have files stored within a network, leave clear instructions on where those files are stored. Take a look at your job description and provide notes or guides on how to find the materials to complete the tasks listed there. Taking time for these steps will cause your co-workers and manager to appreciate you long after you’re gone.

Quitting a job can be exhilarating and emotional. And while you may go out celebrating with your family about your new job opportunity, you don’t really have a lot to gain by going out in a negative way when you leave your employer. Remember, whether you loved your job or not, it’s been paying your bills and has given you some experience to get that new job you are in love with.

Do you have any stories to share on how you’ve left a job in a classy way?

Career Advancement Career Options The Daily Grind

It’s Time to Break Up With Your Boss

By Job Journey on Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Staying with the same company throughout your entire career may sound idealistic, but is very unlikely. According to the United States Department of Labor, the average American worker has 11 jobs from age 18 to 44. Knowing this, it is important to know when and how to leave a job.

Think Long and Hard.
Making a job change is a big decision and should be done after much consideration and reflection. After determining all your options (i.e.: salary, employers, and job satisfaction) you should be ready to make your decision. Although some job offers are time sensitive, they should be given an equal evaluation. Never accept or terminate a job based on a spontaneous, irrational decision or feeling. You want to move forward knowing you weighed all the options, explored them to the fullest, and made the best decision for your future.

Keep it Classy.
When the time comes to inform your boss of your departure, do so with professionalism. While it is necessary to express your feelings about the job, especially if your feedback can improve the company, you should still approach the situation constructively. Avoid personal attacks against your boss, co-workers, or the company. By maintaining a professional and positive demeanor when giving your notice, your employer will more likely be receptive to your feedback and could remain a positive business contact.

Press On.
Most businesses expect you to continue working two weeks after giving notice of leaving. If this is the case, work harder during those two weeks than you ever have before. By showing your dedication to your work, despite the fact you will be leaving soon, your employer and co-workers will develop a newfound respect for your work ethic and persistence. This attitude of perserverance is often forgotten during the stressful transition between jobs, but, if practiced, it is something that will gain you respect from peers.

Although leaving a job is oftentimes difficult, it is a part of the working world. By exploring all your options and maintaining a professional behavior, you will be able to transition from one job to the other relatively easy. The break up may come as a surprise to your boss, but your continued dedication and work ethic will leave the right lasting impression.

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