How to Resign from Your Job

Do you want to quit your job but are having second thoughts about it? That’s quite normal. Maybe you do not want to disappoint your boss but you want to resign, how do you do it? There are particular points to think through before you finalize your decision to resign.

Before you Finalize the Decision

The decision to quit may be borne out of certain signs you have either noticed at work or in your life outside work. There are some cases when quitting may be the best idea. There are some cases when you have to review the situation before you make the decision.

If you’re making the decision to resign, ensure that you have weighed other options and that quitting will be the best decision to make. If you have a new job offer, resigning may be an easy decision to make. However, when you are resigning to rejoin the job market, try to contrast the pros and cons of the decision and ensure the pros outweigh the cons.

Also, ensure that you have a financial plan, it may be a better decision to hang in there and search for a new job. Resigning abruptly may come without the benefits accrued to you. Also understand that when you want to resign, ensure you are resigning gracefully. Try to quell any animosity between yourself and your boss. You never know what the future holds.

When you Have Finalized the Decision

When you made the final decision to quit, you need to put certain things into consideration. Like the employment contract you signed. If your employment contract states you must present a notice, then you should present a notice weeks before resigning. If you are unable to wait for certain weeks, then you should professionally fulfill the conditions stated on the contract.

When you have presented the notice, you should be of the best professional conduct possible and should maintain a positive ambience around the office until you leave.

Write a resignation letter. Whether you resign via an email or a letter or a phone call, extend the company the courtesy of handing in a resignation letter. This is irrespective of the conditions of leaving. This is key to quitting gracefully which is good for future relationships.

Don’t share too much information. You are resigning is enough information for them. On your resignation letter, try to keep things positive, don’t emphasize on the negatives of the job you had there. On your resignation letter, talk about your gains from the company, don’t talk about your losses. Appreciate the opportunity you had there and elaborate briefly on why you will be leaving.

When you are going to resign, ask your boss for a letter of recommendation. A letter of recommendation is for future purposes when you may lose connection with the person. A letter of recommendation from a previous employer is also a big add to your credentials.

Find out about any severance packages due to you. Ensure to sort out any finalities you will have with the company. If there are any employee packages due to you or if there is any account that needs to be modified in line with your new reality of having resigned from the company.

Return any company property in your possession when you have finalized the resignation. If there are keycards, computer passwords, network accesses you need to cut off. Ensure there’s no theft of any company property from you. Return all to the littlest detail.

In Summary,

Be sure you want to quit. Match up the pros and cons.
Give your manager a notice ahead of time and be maintain a positive feel around the office.
Be professional, hand in a resignation letter.
Don’t give too many details about why you’re resigning, expound on the positives, that’s enough.
Sort out any finalities.