15 Tips for a Smooth Resignation

Often when people are offered a new job opportunity they let their excitement get the best of them by putting very little time or effort into making sure they resign from their previous job on a good note.  Leaving on a good note can be as important as making a good first impression. Here are 15 tips to help you have a smooth resignation:

Prepare:

Prepare for your resignation as you would a job interview. Put some time and thought into it.  Write down what you are going to say, in what order, and to whom. You can do substantial damage to work relationships if you tell the wrong people first, even in confidence, and somebody influential finds out second hand.  You may think they are your closest co-worker, but if they think you are leaving anyway, they might tell someone in order to help them get first chance at your position.

Be honest:

Don’t withhold the truth from your employers and co-workers. Be upfront and tell them that you are leaving.  You wouldn’t appreciate someone telling you at 5 pm that they wouldn’t be back the next day because they have taken a new position, so keep that in mind when you consider when to tell your employer you are leaving.

Be brief and direct:

Whether telling your boss in person or in writing, get straight to the point. Explain why you are leaving, be gracious and positive and try to avoid expressing negative feelings or getting into any type of confrontation.

Be flexible:

If you can, negotiate an end date that suits both your current and future employer. Do everything within your power to make the transition an easy one.  Cooperate fully in handing over the files, documents, projects and clients you are working with prior to leaving.  If they do not fill your position before your last day, leave detailed notes for your future replacement.  If they do hire someone and ask for your help training the individual do what you can, within reason, to help prepare them to replace you.  Remember, it makes you look better, if the transition is smooth.

Be realistic:

If your employer has no idea you were considering a new position, expect a reaction from your employer. Allow time for the reaction to your news. If your manager becomes aggressive, confrontational or upset, don’t respond with similar behavior. Remain calm and collected. Revert to your prepared comments.  Even if they tell you to get your things and get out, thank them for the opportunity and provide them with current contact information in case they need your help with the transition.

Be diplomatic:

If you think it is important to express your negative experiences, do it face to face.  If you feel like there needs to be a written record of some negative experience follow the proper HR channels or procedures to have your documentation included in your employee file.  Again, use your prepared comments rather than doing this off the cuff.  Always finish the conversation on a positive note, even if you are leaving under less than perfect circumstances.

Be appreciative:

Thank your employers for past training and other opportunities. Thank your colleagues for what you have learned from them. Accentuate the positives-find something good to say.

Follow up in writing:

Always put your letter of resignation in writing just to confirm your intention of leaving the organization, even though you tell your employer in person first.  Include in your resignation letter your offer to work out a negotiated notice.  Most companies prefer you work out at least a two week notice to give them an opportunity to hire and train your replacement.  Your new employer will usually be more than understanding about your needing to work out a notice with your former employer since they would want their own employees to give them that consideration if they were leaving.

Don’t burn your bridges:

You might need to rely on your previous employer for references or advice.  You may even find yourself working with or for a former colleague sometime in the future.

Use discretion:

Don’t discuss company secrets, your former boss or co-workers with anyone on the assumption that it doesn’t matter anymore since you are no longer working there.  Remember at times it can be a very small world.  A mutual acquaintance of mine had a new employee come on board that expressed she really had always hated working with a certain colleague, only to find out moments later that her new boss was related to the colleague she was bad mouthing.  In addition, it could give your new employer and new colleagues the impression that you can’t be trusted since you are revealing other’s secrets to them.

Be careful what you say online:

Even though you may feel like celebrating and throwing a huge party or just letting off some steam online, don’t post unprofessional comments like “Finally my last day at that hell hole” or  “My old boss can kiss my a**”  on sites such as Facebook or Twitter for all the world to see. You never know who might be reading your postings.  It wouldn’t look good for your former employer or co-workers to see your comments.

Look after number one:

Make sure you know what you are entitled to when you leave, such as unused vacation or sick time. Get someone senior in the company to give you a reference. Meet with your benefits contact and make sure that there is no lapse in your insurance coverage if at all possible.  With some policies, if there is a lapse in coverage, you have to start fresh with a long waiting period before any pre-existing conditions are covered for you or your family members.

Keep in touch: Be proactive about keeping in touch with the contacts and friends you have worked with.  If you work in a niche industry, you may find yourself attending conferences together or calling on some of the same contacts.

Take it one day at a time:

Even a two week notice is a small time frame in the grand scheme of things.  Unless the working conditions are extreme or dangerous, try to be positive and keep in mind that the end is in sight.  You will be at your new job before you know it.

Dealing with a counter-offer:

If your employer doesn’t want to lose you and you receive a counter-offer, take time to consider it. Ask yourself if anything has really changed?  Is this what you really want? Think about the reasons you decided to take the new position in the first place. Given that you have already resigned, will it be easy for you to continue working in the same company? Is the counter offer enough to make you really want to stay with your present employer?   If you are seriously considering accepting the counter-offer, think about the impact it may have on your relationship with your new employers.  Did you already notify them of your intention to accept their offer?  Just keep in mind even if you do accept the counter offer, you may cross paths with them again in the future. Never ever pretend you have a better offer if you don’t.  You could find yourself without a job or counter offer.

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