One hard decision to make is whether to quit your job or not because it affects your emotional being. If it is something you must do, it is important to resign as gracefully and professionally without burning bridges.
Are you about to quit your job? If yes, take note of, what to do and what not to do when you’re about to resign:
1. Send a resignation letter
Turning in your resignation is not that easy even if you hate your job, hate your boss, and can’t wait to start that new job. Be sure to include the full date of your last day. Do well to thank your employer for the work opportunity, and let them know how much you appreciate them for adding to your career growth.
2. Keep your colleagues out of it
If you’re going to quit your job, don’t keep your colleagues in the loop. No one needs to know that except your supervisor on the day you give your notice. Sharing that information with other employees can create office drama. The last thing you want to do is appear unprofessional and immature. Unless you were brought in by a mentor or member of the executive team who rooted for you, your boss should always be the person you give notice to first.
3. Give two or three-week notice
Giving two weeks’ notice is the standard practice when resigning from a job. However, if you’re in a critical role/more senior position or are running a big project that you’re right in the middle of, one to three months’ notice would be okay. This gives your colleagues enough time to find someone to fill your role and enough time for you to help train that person, too.
4. Ask your current boss for future reference
This would make your boss look very important and acknowledged. Explain that you value your relationship and ask if he/she’d be willing to serve as a referee in the future. Even if there are sticking points, your boss is human and likely cares about you and your career. This way, when it’s time to move on from your new job, you are aware of your current boss’s support.
5. Stay positive and be productive in your final phase
It is improper to relax after you have handed in your two weeks’ notice. It can be tempting to slack off, take long lunch breaks, arrive late, leave early, and have a general disregard for the rules you used to obey. But that is not going to augur well with a company that is still paying your salary.