On the face of it, it seems overly simple to resign, particularly if you dislike working for the organization and can't wait to move on. But leaving a job is very similar to exiting a relationship or marraige...there are emotions involved and it is more complicated than one might think.

We suggest the following eleven easy tips on how to resign and still be the winner you are. These tips represent the most ethical personal style of behavior. People will talk about you after you have left your job. Don't give them any extra material to talk about.

Tip 1. Give your employer appropriate advance notice.

Giving two weeks notice prior to your leaving is the standard practice when resigning from a job. If you have an employment contract or union agreement that states how much notice you should give, abide by it. If not, two weeks notice is appropriate, but not required. If your employer asks you stay longer than two weeks (or the time period in your contract) you have no obligation to stay.

Also, your employer does not have to accept two weeks notice (unless it's in your contract). They can end your employment immediately. You should be ready for that contingency.

Tip 2. Submit a letter of resignation

Keep your resignation letter as simple, brief, and focused as possible. Do not include details of problems or suggested remedies. Once you have made the decision to move on, there's no point in criticizing your employer. Your letter of resignation should include information on when you are leaving. Positive resignation letter

There may be a situation when the circumstances of your resignation are based on unethical or inappropriate behavior on the part of your employer. Perhaps you were treated unfairly during a promotion or your position changed as a result of a reorganzation. Regardless of the situation, it is far more important to move on than it is to engage in saying negative remarks about the situation in your letter. If you must indicate that your job situation is not acceptable, keep it in a general tone.

While a statement of thanks to your supervisor is appropriate in many cases, it may not be in your best interest if you intend on pursuing any sort of claim against your employer. If you intend on pursuing a claim against your employer, your resignation letter need only state the effective date of your resignation.Negative resignation letter

Tip 3. Include a telephone contact number.

Regardless of why you are leaving, be a professional and provide assistance to your company if they need information from you. They might be calling to find out where to mail you a check.

Tip 4. Reject an Employer's Counter Offer

Your decision to change jobs should be firm and not something you may reconsider. Reversing it to accept a counter offer is likely to be a costly career mistake. There is a good possibility that your company does not want to lose you, particularly in the short-term. Clearly, they will have to train some one new to take on what you have been doing.

They may extend a counteroffer which includes a higher pay rate - a flattering inducement designed to tempt you into changing your mind. But then why did it take a resignation to get them to consider paying you more money?

As tempting and ego-gratifying as a counteroffer may be, interviews with thousands of employees who have succumbed to them have shown that the majority suffered serious setback's to their careers. Only in the most isolated of incidents has the employee derived any significant benefit. Say thanks for the "consideration," but no thank you.

Tip 5. Don't resign until you have a written offer for another job in your hand

Never resign until there is a firm offer from your future employer. Not just a few positive meetings with them. Only a letter written by an authorized individual in the new company HR Department is firm. Even a letter written by an Executive or Department Manager is not enough. HR can overrule if there is no budget for the new job. (Or sometimes for no reason at all). You might have a job lined up, or it could fall through leaving you without any income.

Follow the "frog on the lily pad" approach to job change; never step off one pad without having another pad underfoot.

Tip 6. Prior to giving notice, don't tell anyone in your firm that you are about to resign.

If the word gets back to your manager, you could be surprised in the hallway (or worse, during a staff meeting) by a question you really don't want discussed until everything is nailed down. You could be getting the cold shoulder based on a rumor that you are about to leave. It is tempting to leak the news...resist the temptation. Maintain total control over your business direction and treat your plan to leave as a "Top Secret."

Tip 7. Before resigning, consider your other options

Is your company an otherwise good place to work? Is the source of your dissatisfaction only your department/manager? Is it possible to initiate an inter-departmental transfer or consider a promotion rather than quitting? Don't limit your company options.

Tip 8. Leave no unpleasant remnants behind

Before your last day, quietly begin cleaning out your desk. If someone notices, tell them you are doing a bit of spring cleaning. On your PC, remove any personal files and correspondence. Remove all software that is not company purchased. If you have a laptop, it too needs to be swept clean of all non-business software and information. Clean out and delete all sent and received e-mails. The next person who occupies your desk should be able to find only ongoing and job-related items that you have left behind.

Tip 9. Do not remove any items of company property or harm any accessable intellectual property

Turn in any pagers, Blackberrys/cell phones and keys. Don't forget to bring in any items you have been using at home. No matter how you feel, it is unethical and illegal to take property that you have not purchased with your own money. That includes even small items down to staplers. You don't need them and you will get them on your next job.

Regardless of the circumstances leading to your decision to resign, never ever harm any company software or interfere with the content of any business portals. It is unethical and easy to trace who did it.

Tip 10. What to say (and avoid saying) in your resignation meeting

During your resignation meeting, you should be prepared for any kind of reaction, ranging from congratulatory handshakes to guilt trips to out-and-out anger. Regardless of the company's reaction, your plan is to remain calm and professional. You have done nothing wrong, and do not have to answer attacks like, "How could you do this to us?", or any other hostile accusations. Rather than attempt to answer, simply reply, "I'm sorry this has upset you. That wasn't my intention, but I do want to help. Is there anything I can do to help during the transition period?"

lt is imperative that you handle your part of the resignation meeting in a courteous and professional manner. The kind of character reference the company will give you in the future will be strongly influenced by the impression you left behind when you resigned. An angry or embarrassed employer may make all types of derogatory comments about you, and such comments will likely be repeated to everyone who checks your references for the rest of your career.

Another potential trouble area is the inevitable question about why you're leaving, often phrased, "Tell us what's really wrong here?" As satisfying as it may be to "unload" about your manager's failings or the company's problems, it is never a good idea. No company has ever changed one bit as the result of a "disgruntled quitter" generously informing them of their misdeeds. Nothing is accomplished except leaving behind a bad impression about your lack of professionalism.

Remember, nothing is wrong. You simply have been presented with an opportunity that you cannot pass up. Remember also that co-workers will be curious about why you are leaving. Whether they corner you at work or call you at home, tell them exactly what you told the company. Anything you say will get back, and "sour-grapes" comments can be used to make your co-workers look loyal while making you look like a liar.

Tip 11. Do not underestimate the importance of your performance during your last two weeks.

It is a serious mistake to become "mentally unemployed" and let down while working out your notice. Give it your very best effort right up until the last minute you're there. You will never be sorry you did.

Best wishes on your next job!

 

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