BUSINESS: The Ultimate Resource

April 2003 Upgrade #7

ACTIONLIST
Handing in Your Resignation
Getting Started
The way you handle your resignation depends partly upon whether you are leaving for pull or push reasons. Positive, or pull, reasons draw you toward a new futureyoure taking another job or leaving to become self-employed. Negative, or push, considerations drive you awayperhaps your job is no longer satisfying or your relationship with your boss is untenable. Either way, you need to plan your exit carefully. Your desired outcome is to leave on good terms; you never know when youll need to draw on these relationships again.

FAQs
Im on six months notice, but Id like to leave sooner. How can I do this? Many employers are prepared to negotiate an early departure if you approach them with a well-thought-out exit plan. Such a plan should include the who and how of handing over responsibilities and a detailed report of where youve left things, so the knowledge you hold is not lost. It might also include suggested training for anyone replacing you. Finally, its wise to include a strategy for maintaining key relationships where necessary after your departure. Putting all this in place should make your employer more amenable to your request. Ive handed in my resignation but have had no acknowledgment. What do I do? You do need to make sure your letter has been received, otherwise you may jeopardize your plans to leave on a particular date. Ask your manager again to confirm your proposed date for leaving, and see whether theres any other action you need to take. If you arent satisfied with your managers response, contact your human resources department. As long as theres a record somewhere in the organization of your intention to leave, youre covered. Ive handed in my resignation and now realize that Ive made a mistake. How do I remedy this? Backtracking on a resignation can be sensitive, particularly if your reasons for leaving came out of an emotional outburst or a disagreement. In this case, not only do you have to build up relationships again, but you have to convince your boss to reinstate you. Its up to you to demonstrate that you can avoid a repetition of the unpleasantness. One approach would be to imagine that youre being interviewed for your own job. If you originally quit for sound reasons that no longer apply, you may find that your employer is willing to bring you back into the fold.

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 2003

BUSINESS: The Ultimate Resource

April 2003 Upgrade #7

I have a very difficult boss and I know its time to move on. However, Im not sure how to resign without its affecting the rest of the team. What should I do? Its often tempting to tell your coworkers youre resigning before informing your boss. However, if one of them leaks this information its likely to make matters worse. Make sure your boss is the first to find out. Look for an appropriately unrushed and quiet moment to make your announcement. While your boss is mulling over the best response to your news, you can take your coworkers aside and let them know youre leaving.

Making It Happen
Make Sure Youre Familiar With the Terms of Your Contract Before you hand in your resignation, make sure you know your responsibility to the organization, whether its spelled out in your contract of employment or is implicit in company policy. Be certain, for example, that your new position doesnt conflict with any noncompete clause you may have agreed to. If youre accepting a new job, make sure you understand the basis on which that offer has been made. If its contingent on satisfactory references, dont hand in your resignation until the references have cleared and youve received a formal offer letter. The last thing you want is to announce youre leaving and then have your new job fall through. Be Prepared for the Unexpected Circumstances may influence how your present employer greets your resignation. If youre leaving to work for a competitor, you may be asked to vacate your office immediately in order to prevent your taking company secrets with you. Being escorted out of your own office can be a shock, especially if youve been a loyal longtime employee. Try to reframe the situation from your employers point of view: your manager is simply looking out for the companys best interests, and you are no longer a member of the team. On the other hand, your employer may be happy for you, especially if youre leaving to resume your education or start a new career. In either case its not inconceivable that you may want to work for the company again in the future. And your former employers often become clients if you become self-employed. In any case, its in everyones interest for your resignation to be cordial. Be Tactful You may need a reference from your current employer before a potential employer will finalize a job offer. Its often best in this situation to identify an individual in your company who is prepared to champion you. Be aware of this persons own position, though, and avoid creating any conflict of interest: you are, after all, asking a favor. Even if youre leaving because of a stressful personal or ethical environment, its important to manage your work relationships with professionalism and keep them intact. Dont give into the temptation to vent in your letter of resignation or exit interviews. The last impression you make is a powerful one: make it positive.

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 2003

BUSINESS: The Ultimate Resource

April 2003 Upgrade #7

Compose Your Resignation Letter Carefully A short, straightforward letter is all thats required, sent on paper rather than by email. All you need to say is that you are submitting your resignation and expect to leave on a particular date. You may want to say something about your reason for leaving, but couch it in positive language. Any further embellishments can be made verbally. If you write too much youre bound to look contentious. Send the letter to your boss, with a copy to human resources. Having a second copy in the company files is extra security in case the first one goes astray. Take an Interest in What Will Happen After You Leave Give some thought to the implications that your resignation is likely to have on the organization, and actively demonstrate an interest in how your job might be managed after your departure. If youve already been grooming someone for your job, dont make any promises or raise expectationsthe decision isnt your responsibility. If your job is client-centered, plan the reassignment of those accounts and relationships. Work with clients who are disappointed to see you go to and encourage them to build a similar rapport with your replacement. Business relationships should always be based on your product or service, not on you as an individual. Dont forget that if you plan to take your clients with you, you may find yourself in breach of your contract. As others get used to the prospect of your leaving, theyre likely to stop consulting you as your departure approaches. This can be extremely uncomfortable and make you feel like a nonperson. Remember: this is a time of both completion and separation, and its natural for you to feel unusually disoriented and sad. Prepare for an Exit Interview If you have an exit interview, you may be able to give feedback on what prompted you to leave. Keep your feedback constructive. Dont use the interview as an opportunity to air long-held gripes, grudges, or complaints, but maintain your own professionalism and evince respect for the coworkers and organization youre leaving behind.

Common Mistakes
You Tell the Wrong People at the Wrong Time Sometimes people are tempted to tell coworkers theyre resigning before they inform their boss. This can cause havoc if someone is indiscreet enough to spill the beans. You can avoid political fallout by observing the proprieties when you submit your resignation. You Lose Your Cool When youre leaving a job because of interpersonal problems or conflicts, its tempting to vent once youve resigned. You may feel you have nothing to lose, but you doits your reputation for professional self-discipline. Keep your cool in managing your resignation, and leave with your good name intact. You Resign on an Impulse Some people resign in a fit of anger or depression and regret it immediately. Its hard to retract a resignation, especially if its been submitted as a melodramatic gesture.
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 2003

BUSINESS: The Ultimate Resource

April 2003 Upgrade #7

Approach your resignation in the same rational spirit that supports your long-term career strategy. You Use the Threat of Resignation as Leverage Threatening to quit as a means of getting what you want can easily backfire. It is too tempting for your boss to call your bluff. If you want to effect changes, go through established channels with rational and persuasive arguments backed up with data. Appeal if necessary, but dont risk your job or your credibility by crying wolf.

For More Information

Books: Bolles, Richard N. What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for JobHunters and Career-Changers. 2002 ed. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press, 2001. McKinney, Anne, ed. Letters for Special Situations: Letters to Use in the Special Situations in Life. Fayetteville, NC: PREP Publishing, 1999. Web Site: About.comhow to resign with class: jobsearchtech.about.com/library/weekly/aa0820012.htm

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 2003