We have all been there at some point. You get hired, you get excited, you have a honeymoon phase, you work hard, and slowly, the glow wears off. You decide to go hunting for a new job. Out of all those interviewed you are the chosen one. You are so excited to start working at the new place, but wait, you have to resign from your current job first! How do you go about this without burning the proverbial bridges? Do you just fail to appear at the office one day and assume your boss got the message that you have quit? No. Such unprofessional actions will haunt you forever. Imagine if your new company contacted your former boss for a reference check and they are told you left in such an ungraceful way? Or they are told how you insulted everyone and called your boss names before leaving?
Any time you leave one company for another, there are sometimes hurt feelings regardless of how delicately you try to balance the transition. When leaving a job, it is important to remember that what you do and how you do it can stay with you for years and that most importantly future employers will judge you by your past actions.
Here are 5 important tips to help you quit gracefully without burning bridges:
1. Inform your boss in person that you are quitting
Your boss should be the first person in the office to know that you are leaving. You don’t want him/her to learn about your plan to leave from someone else. Even if you swear your colleagues to secrecy, word has a way of getting around quickly. Arrange a meeting with your boss in advance so that you both can talk about details of your resignation.
Sometimes, it is difficult for an employer to accept the departure of a core staff member when the team is already short on people. Their first concern is filling your old position to keep project momentum moving forward. If you know of a qualified person amongst your colleagues who could step into your work, make that suggestion to your superiors. This will make their search for your replacement much easier
2. Explain your reason(s) for quitting
You do not have to go into too much detail. All you need to say is that you’re leaving to pursue other opportunities. This is not the time to talk about how your coworkers conspire against you, nor should you start crying and apologizing for your departure. Explain yourself rationally and your employer will understand your reason for leaving.
Do not be emotional or hurtful. Bringing up any problems you have with the company is unprofessional and potentially damaging, especially if you plan on staying in the same field. Industries are surprisingly small and word spreads faster than you might imagine. If your boss thinks you’re ungrateful or rude, that opinion could spread faster than you might think, thereby hurting your chances of landing a job.
3. Write an official resignation letter and give notice
Write a letter to your boss and make it positive and personal. Keep it brief and professional, outlining how much you enjoyed your time at the company. Never write anything negative or vent .This reinforces your professional polish and adds to your reputation as a classy person. Remember the resignation letter will be kept in your permanent file .Be careful with what will be in that file in case a future employer calls your current employer for references. You do not want to create a bad impression with potential employers even before you meet them!
Be sure to give your employer notice, be it two weeks, one month or two months, depending on what your employment letter stipulates. This gives your employer sufficient time to plan for your exit and to look for your replacement.
4. Thank Everyone
It is a good idea to thank your colleagues. Be genuine, and let go of any hostilities that you may have held in the workplace. Carrying around baggage from your previous employer doesn’t do you any good and might even affect your work at your new work place.
Let go of any grudges you might harbour, say thank you, then say good bye. It doesn’t cost a dime to say thank you! More importantly, you never know where you might run into your colleagues again especially if you plan on staying in the same industry. Heck you might even find yourselves working in the same company in future. Imagine how awkward it would be if you left without saying goodbye then two weeks into your new job your former colleague reports to your new work place as your line manager!
5. Stay focused on the job
Concentrate on the job and keep putting in 100% to your work regardless of the excitement that comes with the prospect of a new job. Complete as many projects as possible. If there are some unfinished projects, provide updates on them that are easily understandable. Also, if there is an urgent matter that needs to be handled in the near future, point it out to those who will be managing your duties when you leave. Try as much as possible to create a situation that anyone could walk in to your old job and be up to speed on what projects need attention first.
In conclusion, the way you quit your job says a lot about you. Walk the higher road and be gracious. It might have been a horrible employment situation but if you able to depart with grace, class, and integrity, it says a lot more about you than the company. And that’s what matters!
Have a blessed week ahead!