Are you thinking about quitting your job?
No matter whether you’ve been in the position for one year or 20 years, resigning from any role can be a significant career move.
Not to mention that it can have a big impact on the company.
That is why it is so important that you resign with grace and make the transition as straightforward as possible for everyone involved.
But we understand that resigning is never an easy thing to do, so we’ve compiled these five steps to leaving gracefully and ensuring that you preserve your professional reputation along the way.
Preparing to resign
Before you tell anyone that you’re planning to leave, you need to be 100% sure that it is the right decision. You should be absolutely clear on why you want to resign and if you haven’t already begun looking elsewhere, you should prepare your resume to start looking for your next position.
Not only this, but you might wish to make some notes and prepare what you're going to say to your manager. This can help you to be confident and coherent when you tell them you’re leaving and could help you to stay strong in the face of a counteroffer.
The final thing you need to do in preparation is look over your contract and double-check your notice period.
Then, as soon as you know that you are making the right decision, it’s time to get the ball rolling.
Having the resignation conversation
Next, you need to tell your manager or supervisor that you intend to hand in your letter of resignation.
While it can be tempting to simply send them an email, it’s always best to set up a meeting and tell them face-to-face. Assuming you don't work remotely that is, otherwise a phone call is probably best.
During the meeting, you should give them a brief explanation as to why you are leaving but don't feel you have to share too many details. You need to be courteous and professional at all times and express your willingness to help with the handover.
It’s also a good idea to arrange a follow-up meeting with them or with HR to submit your formal letter of resignation and to start the official handover process.
It is important that you do not tell your co-workers you are leaving until you have told your manager, possibly not even until you have formally handed in your resignation. This is because news can travel fast around workplaces and you don’t want to end up in an awkward situation.
Submitting your letter of resignation
Your manager may know that you’re leaving but you need to make sure you hand in a formal letter of resignation.
Your letter should be polite, professional, and just a few short paragraphs in length. Within the letter you need to state your intention to leave and the date of your last working day at the company.
It’s also important that you set this out like a formal letter, including the date you handed in your resignation and making sure to sign it. The team can then begin looking for a suitable replacement for you.
Ensuring a smooth handover
With your leaving date on the horizon, it’s important that you do all you can to make the transition as seamless as possible for both you and your employer. There are several key things you need to do at this stage.
As you work out your notice period, try to complete as much outstanding work as possible and tie up any loose ends. You should also create a detailed handover document for your team and future replacements.
Depending on the role you’re in, you might also want to let your contacts know you’re leaving and give them the details of who to contact in your absence.
Finally, you need to delegate out any immediate tasks that will need to be tackled when you’re gone. You should also be willing to train your successor and help them with the handover process.
Leaving a lasting impression
In the final few days, it’s vital that you don’t burn your bridges and that you leave on a positive note. Make sure you never bad mouth anyone in the company (even if they are your reason for leaving) and be careful not to brag about your new position or your next steps.
Leave by saying thank you and goodbye to all of your co-workers and be sure to keep them in your network. You never know, you might end up working with them again in the future.
By following these five steps, you can ensure that you resign gracefully and leave a lasting impression. This could be helpful in the future if you need a reference or you’re looking for other opportunities.