How To Execute Your Resignation Smoothly
According to general research, an average person may change jobs six times in a life time. There can be many reasons one quits his/her current job. These days especially, with the economic recession forcing companies to cut jobs across the globe, the idea of leaving your employment may seem absurd, but if and when the situation arises, where you decide to leave your current employer by your own choice, it’s always good to do it in the proper manner.
If you are leaving your company for a better opportunity or are on the verge of changing your career path for something different, these few tips will be of great help to you in leaving with respect and a positive impression that may come in handy later in life.
Approaching your Boss with the News
The most difficult thing for me has always been breaking the news to my boss. There’s always the fear that it may be taken negatively, or you may give the impression that you are not satisfied with your employment if you don’t do it properly.
The smart way of doing it is to do in person. It’s not advisable to discuss it with your co-workers first, and hope that the grapevine will get the rumors to your boss and you’ll explain yourself properly once he approaches you himself. Do it directly, and most importantly, respectfully. Present your resignation letter, and be simple. If the normal mode of communication in your office is email, send the email while your boss is in the office and hence approachable. Walk over to his desk as soon as you press the send button.
The only reason you should give for leaving is that you have decided to take a different position or pursue a better opportunity. It’s always best not to vent out your frustrations if you were unhappy with your job. Hold your feelings back, trust me, it’s for the best.
Resignation Letter
Your resignation letter should be typed, formal, and signed before it is presented to your boss. The same goes for emails. Keep it as simple as possible. Your resignation letter should state that you are leaving to join another organization, and your effective last date at work. It’s not advisable to add details about your new position or the reasons for your resignation.
Serve the required Notice period
In all good organizations, it is normal to have a policy regarding notices. Mostly it’s obligatory by employment contract to serve a 2 to 4 weeks notice period before leaving. You don’t want to do otherwise. Leaving immediately can leave the company with an empty seat and extra work load with no one to do it. Serving your notice period gives them time to hire and train a new resource as your replacement.
Be prepared for Resistance
It is high possibility that your boss and management might not want you to leave. Hiring and training a new resource means investment of time and money into another person. It is usually easier to hold on to your current investment rather than make a new one. Be mentally prepared for this kind of resistance. Also, keep in mind that you might be offered incentives like more money, promotion, and better working hours to convince you to stay. It is always best to consider these things before you present your resignation, and decide on how you are going to respond this before hand.
Don’t become a slacker
Keep your attitude positive. Even if your new position is more appealing and better paying, it’s not a good idea to stop paying attention to your work during your notice period. Finish all your assignments, don’t slack off, come to work on time and avoid taking longer lunches and smoke breaks. Make an extra effort to be more productive. You know it in your heart that you have worked hard during your tenure here; you don’t want to wash all that down by slacking off in your final few weeks.
Give a positive Exit Interview
It is a norm to conduct exit interviews in many organizations. The idea behind this exercise is to improve working conditions for current and future employees and reduce turnover by getting feedback from those departing. Typically the interview is about your experiences with the company and your reasons for leaving. Once again, keep your feelings to yourself if you have had a bad time with this company. Be as gracious as possible and be vocal about how good your time spent with this company had been.
Don’t join the gripers
Once the word gets out that you have resigned, you may suddenly become the best person to gripe to about how unhappy your co-workers are with their jobs. Be ready to receive congratulations and listening to co-workers’ complaints regarding everything that is wrong with the company. Be very careful about joining such voices; no matter how much agree with them. These days, you never know when you might have to come back and re-join this company, and you do not want something you said to come back and haunt you later.
Stay in touch and keep the network strong
Once you join your new company, make sure you send an email or letter to your former boss and co-workers, letting them know of your new contact information. Remember, social networking is a great too that helps us in pretty much all aspects of life. Always keep mind that it is essential to always keep positive relationships.
Following these few simple tips will leave a lasting and positive impression with your previous employer and former colleagues. These days, you never know when you might want to come back to the same company, or when your paths cross with those you worked with your under.
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