Quitting your job is a big move, and there can be many reasons for it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the average person changes employment 12 times throughout their lifetime. However, when you quit your job, you should do it professionally if you want to return. Whether it’s due to the work environment or better opportunities, you should resign professionally.
Here are a few things that can help you out with it:
1. Give a Proper Reason:
There is a good chance you need to provide a reason for quitting your job. Your current employer would want to know why you’re leaving, whereas the future employer might want to know what motivated you to quit. Either way, you must provide the right reason.
Now, there are good and bad reasons for resigning. Bad reasons include a toxic environment, lack of recognition, and tedious work. Even if these are true, you should not mention them in your resignation letter. Instead, adding good reasons, such as changing career paths, better opportunities elsewhere, mental health issues, or changing family circumstances, can be a better idea.
2. Write a Resignation Letter:
As mentioned before, providing a proper reason is vital. So, you should write a resignation letter that details the reason for quitting the job. The resignation letter should also inform the employer that you will serve the notice period.
Furthermore, you should state in the resignation letter that you will do anything to ensure a smooth transition for the person replacing you. Here is a format you can follow when crafting a resignation letter:
- Subject (Your Resignation)
- Reason for leaving
- Date when your resignation will be effective
- A note of gratitude for the time in the company
- A well-wishing statement for the company
- Your signature
3. Serve a Notice Period:
Some companies have a strict policy of serving a notice period before you quit the job. On average, most companies have a two to four-week notice period. However, you should check the contract to determine the amount of time you need to spend. Furthermore, inform the company you plan on joining your next employer after the notice period.
This way, you don’t have to deal with problems when transitioning from one job to another. A personal emergency or an urgent job opportunity would require your immediate attention. In such cases, you should sit with your employer and tell them how it would be inconvenient for you to serve a notice period, and from there, you can reach a mutual agreement.
4. Stay Positive:
Regardless of how the managers or your coworkers treat you, it is essential to maintain a positive attitude. Even if you’re leaving the company for negative reasons, you should be cheerful about everything. This includes fulfilling your duties on your notice period just as you do them on a day-to-day basis.
Also, meet the people on your last day and discuss the things that you will miss. Avoid lashing out at someone even if they did something wrong to you. Since these are now your ex-coworkers, you never know if it can hurt you in subsequent reference checks. Therefore, end your journey on a positive note with each of your ex-coworkers.
5. Resign in Person:
As mentioned before, you might not have the time to serve the notice period. So, you should go to the relevant person and present them with the resignation letter. A face-to-face meeting will likely be more productive and leave a good impression.
Get a time from your manager or department head to meet in person. If they have a tight schedule, meet with them via video call instead. Be honest and open about your resignation.
6. Be Prepared for Anything:
Lastly, you should be ready for anything when submitting your resignation. If you take a job offer from a competitor, the managers might request security to escort you immediately. You won’t even have time to collect your things and clear your desk.
According to an employment lawyer at Shapiro Legal, there can be a violation of labor standards in such situations. There is also a possibility that the company would tempt you with a counteroffer. They might throw you off track by giving you a good hike. In that situation, you need to stick to your guns. Tell the manager that you’re grateful for the offer but would like to move ahead and join the company you’ve already committed to. If your ex-employer insists on creating trouble, seeking legal help is a good way to go about this.Taking the leap of faith to a new job or business endeavor can be fruitful. However, resigning from your current job with professionalism keeps a door open for return. It can also be beneficial if a higher position is available in the future from the company where you’re resigning.
