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How
to Resign…Professionally!
You are considering a change because your present position
or company doesn't offer the potential for growth you seek.
You have looked at your decision to change both logically
and emotionally, and it is the emotional decision that is
the hardest. That old axiom, "don't let your heart
rule your mind" is much easier to say than do. But
the fact remains, your needs are not being satisfied! Sure,
the company has helped you progress professionally; sure,
you've made many new friends; sure, you even feel comfortable
because you can handle the job well. However, as certain
as you're reading this, your objectives and goals are secondary
to those of the company; and it will always remain that
way. As soon as you thought about changing jobs, subconsciously
you knew this was true.
Top
executives agree that the days of the gold watch for 30
years of faithful service are gone. In fact, experience
at several good companies is considered an asset because
your horizons are expanded. Today, changing jobs is a necessity
if you expect your career to grow.
 CAVEAT:
Your changes cannot be too frequent, and you must be able
to demonstrate that by making the change, your background
was enhanced.
CAVEAT:
Don't resign until you have another position. Experience
has shown it to be easier to find a job if you are presently
employed.
Let's
face it, it is natural to resist change and avoid disruption,
and you present employment is no exception. If you're doing
a good job your employer will not want to lose you, and
you can expect a counter-offer even though you have accepted
a job elsewhere. So long as you haven't started your new
position, the company and your boss are going to woo you.
You'll be enticed with more money, you may get, or at least
be promised, a promotion. The appeal will be emotional in
nature. There will be an apology made in the form of not
knowing of your dissatisfaction. Your boss may even enlist
a senior vice president or the president to help convince
you that you're making a mistake. It is guaranteed that
you will hear the following in some form or another:
- "We
have plans for you that will come to fruition the first
of next month-it is my fault for not telling you."
- "I
shouldn't do this, but I'm going to let you in on some
confidential information. We're in the process of reorganizing
and it will mean a significant promotion for you within
six months."
- "We
will match your new offer and even better it by "x"
percent. This raise was supposed to go into effect the
first of next quarter anyway, but because of your fine
record, we will start it immediately.
- "When
I told our president of your decision, he told me he wants
to have dinner with you and your wife as soon as possible.
You just tell me when, and he will drop everything to
discuss this situation with you.
Counter-Offer
Implications:
A
counter-offer can be a very flattering experience: your
emotions may be swayed; you may lose your objectivity; you
are going to be tempted to stay; "buyer's remorse"
will set in - that apprehension of change will urge you
to reconsider your decision.
CAVEAT:
Accept the counter offer only if you can answer "no"
to all the following:
- Did
I make the decision to seek other employment because
I felt a new environment would provide me with the opportunity
to enhance my career?
- If
I decided to stay after giving notice, will my loyalty
be suspect and affect my chance for advancement in the
future?
The raise they're offering me to stay, is it just my
annual review coming early?
- The
raise I was offered is above the guidelines for my job.
Does this mean they are "buying time" until
a replacement can be found within the acceptable compensation
guidelines for my job?
- I
got the counter-offer because I resigned. Will I always
have to threaten to quit each time I want to advance?
Logic Must Prevail.
As
a professional, your career decisions must be made objectively,
free of the emotional pressures you are likely to experience.
Others will try to influence you, but sometimes only you
know things are not right and will not get better. How do
you explain a "gut feeling"? Are you expecting
your company to be sorry to see you leave and to make some
attempt to keep you. Their response should be considered
flattering but it is beset with pitfalls too numerous to
risk.
It
is up to you to end your relationship as professionally
as you began it. Write a letter that expresses your thanks
for the opportunity they've extended and tell them you enjoyed
your relationship, but that your decision is irrevocable.
Put it in your own words and either mail it personally or
hand it to your immediate supervisor. Be pleasant but firm.
Your new employer is anxious to have you start, so remember,
two weeks notice is almost always sufficient.
A
counter-offer is really a belated confirmation of the contributions
you've made. Move ahead to your new job knowing you've made
the right decision. After all, if you don't look after your
future, who will?
Giving
Notice: Two Sample Letters
Giving
notice should always start by requesting a meeting with
your boss, or, in more casual environments, by walking into
your boss' office with a resignation letter in hand, which
you ask them to read. This meeting should be set up late
in the afternoon if possible. Ideally, you would give notice
at 4pm by walking into your boss' office and handing them
a very simple letter of resignation. If your boss asks what
the letter is, ask them to read it first, please. Most managers
know that this means you are giving notice, and that is
okay, let the letter be the ice breaker.
The
letter itself:
The
letter should be a very simple, very short letter. Typically
I recommend it be 2 paragraphs and 4 total sentences. There
is NO need to provide lots of information to your former
employer. In fact that is considered unprofessional.
Sample
Letter
Dear
Boss,
Please accept this letter as my official notice of resignation.
I appreciate the work we have been able to accomplish
together at (company name), but I have now made a commitment
to another organization, and plan to begin with them in
two weeks.
Know
that it is my intention to work diligently with you to
wrap up as much as possible in the next two weeks to make
my resignation as smooth as possible. If you have any
suggestions on how we can best accomplish that goal, I
hope you will share your thoughts with me as I am eager
to leave on most positive note possible.
Sincerely,
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