How To Quit A Job On Good Terms 2020

Quitting your job can be exciting, but it can also come with a little trepidation. When it comes to telling your current employer how do you quit your job on good terms? Who do you tell first? Do you put it in writing? What should and shouldn’t you tell your employer? In this article, I’m going to answer all of those questions. Give you a simple resignation letter template and give you tip on resigning from your job without burning bridges with your current employer.

There are many reasons people leave a job. They want better pay or growth opportunities that they can’t get with their current employer. They want a career change; they don’t like their boss or co-workers. They want a different or more flexible schedule to name just a few examples. Most commonly people resign because they found and accepted a job elsewhere. However, I have also seen people quit suddenly due to anger or built-up resentment and frustration. If you are frustrated in your job and want to quit, I encourage you to have a new job lined up first. Also, you can at the very least have a six-month financial sustainability plan worked out before you quit. Because finding your next opportunity could take a little longer than you think.

The one caution I want to give you before resign from your job is be really sure you want to resign. I’ve seen employees in the heat of the moment quite a job. Only to come back the next day regretting it and asking for their job back, once you’ve quit whether verbally or in writing. Your employer is not obligated to give you your job back. So, be really sure you want to quit before you do so. If you’re unhappy in your current job identify what you’re unhappy about and try to address those with your employer if possible. Employers aren’t minded readers they may not recognize that you’re not happy so before you make any decisions to quit. I suggest trying to resolve your issues and concerns first with your current employer.

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. So keep in mind that the issues upsetting or frustrating you in your current employment situation may not be any better with a new employer. Now assuming you’ve worked through all of that already and you’ve made that the decision to leave your current job. Here are four tips on how to handle your resignation professionally, respectfully, and without burning bridges.

1. Tells your boss first.

Always tell your boss first. This is the most respectful way to quit your job. The first person you should inform that you’re resigning from your position is your manager, not your co-workers. It’s not necessary to tell your employer why you’re leaving or where you’ve accepted a new position If that’s the case. Frankly, it’s none of their business. It is natural for an employer to ask why you’re leaving or where you’re going and if you want to tell them your business that’s completely your choice. But, just know it’s not necessary to explain. If you feel awkward about it just say something simple like it was just time for a change.

2. Give two weeks notice.

In Canada and the United States, it’s customary to give two weeks’ notice but it’s not a legal requirement. Some employers may have employment policies, requiring two weeks’ notice or more. So, check what your employment contract says before you give your notice although it’s not a legal requirement to give two weeks’ notice. My personal recommendation to avoid burning bridges with your current employer if you want to leave on good terms is to give them at least two weeks’ notice.

I know that can be hard if you don’t like your job or your boss and you can’t wait to get out there and I know that sometimes we’ve built up so much anger and resentment. We just want to stick it to our boss but, I really encourage you not to do this. You never know when you may need to call on them for a reference in the future so it’s in your best interest to leave respectfully.

3. Put your resignation in writing.

Before you tell your boss have your resignation letter pre-typed and ready to hand to them after you’ve told them. You should always formalize your resignation in writing because that becomes part of your legal evidence if you ever need it. You do not need to explain in your letter why you resigning and in fact, in my opinion, you should not mention it in your letter. Never ever say anything negative in your letter about the company, co-workers, or customers.

Even if you’re leaving because you’re disgruntled it’s best not to put anything negative in writing. You can briefly thank your employer for the opportunities that they’ve given you. If you have a great relationship with your boss free feel to thank them for their training mentorship and support of you over your time working with them. But, remember the purpose of putting your resignation in writing is a legal formality. It’s not necessary to belong to explanatory or flowery.

Your letter should be concise, professional, and state three things.

1)            Your position or job title that you’re resigning from.

2)            The employer company name.

3)            Your last date of employment.

You should indicate your last day of employment in your letter because; it provides clarity for both you and your employer on your expected last day. So there are no misunderstandings and some employers will choose to pay out the term of your notice and release you on the spot. If you’ve given two weeks, three weeks, or 30 days notice. They will typically have to pay you out for that time period. Currently, because of the pandemic, you may be working from home and not able to meet with your boss in-person to hand-deliver your resignation letter. If this is the case type your letter and send it as an email attachment after you’ve informed your boss via video meeting or phone call. As I mentioned your letter should be short and sweet and be written something like this.

Dear [Manager Name]

Please be informed I am resigning my position as [insert job title] with [company name].  My last day of employment will be [month, day, year]

I have appreciated your support as well as the opportunities and growth I have achieved during my time at [company name].

I would like to support a successful transition so please let me know how I may be of assistance.

Thank you again for the opportunity to work as a member of [company name], I wish you and the company all the best in the future.

Sincerely,

(Your full name)

4. create a smooth transition.

To promote leaving on good terms employers appreciate it when you’re able to support and provide a smooth transition. It’s not likely an employer can hire an external candidate within two weeks. But, if you can cross-train a co-worker set up a procedure manual. Tie up loose ends with any project that you’re working on to make you’re leaving as easy as possible on your employer team and manager. That will go a long way towards leaving on good terms.

Be prepared for a counteroffer

Something I want to prepare for as a possibility is a counteroffer. Not all employers will offer a counteroffer when you resign. But it can definitely catch you off guard if they do. A counteroffer can be very flattering and if they offer you a raise equivalent to or more than your future employer that can certainly be tempting. And it is certainly your decision if you choose to accept a counteroffer. But I want you to keep a couple of things in mind.

If you’ve experienced in the past to your employer that you’re unhappy or you’ve requested changes or a raise and were denied. And now all of a sudden your employer is willing to give that raise or promise, those changes only now that you’ve decided to leave, think about what that says. Also, they may offer you a deal you can’t refuse to get you to stay. So it doesn’t inconvenience them only to let you go three months later. I’ve seen this happen to people by unscrupulous employers. So, accepting a counteroffer can be a risk. If you’ve taken time and trouble to find and accept a new opportunity then you may be wise to stay on your new path.

Ask for references

If you’re leaving on good terms, now is the time to ask your boss for a written reference letter. If you’re leaving not so good terms with your boss then consider who else in the company you could ask for written references.

Quitting without another job lined up

I worked with clients who’ve quit a job out of sheer, anger, frustration, stress, or were so fed up they decided to quit without having another job lined up. And for some finding, a new job was a lot more difficult and took a lot more time than they expected. So, I wouldn’t be a good career coach if I didn’t recommend you think through carefully your decision to quit, particularly if you don’t have another job to go to.

If you have quit before having another job lined up and if you didn’t leave your job on great terms then it can be difficult to explain in a future interview why you left? Whether you quit or are let go by your employer. I provide some great tips and strategies in mu articles on how to explain why you fired terminated or lid off on how to explain to future employers why you left your last job?