Be aware of any types of benefits you may be eligible for. If you are about to be laid off, you may have a severance package, or the option to collect unemployment benefits. These can be very handy if you have not secured a new job. Resigning from a position may disqualify you from receiving anything. It may be better in some cases to receive these benefits while looking for your next position. Make sure you learn the basic rules pertaining to retirement accounts like a 401k, if applicable, to avoid paying a tax bill.
Even if your contract doesn’t specify a notice timeline, you want to shoot for 2-3 weeks as a courtesy to your employer. Fewer than 2 weeks and your employer probably doesn’t have an adequate replacement; more than 3 weeks and your employer will be wondering why you’re still around.
Give your boss or supervisor time to absorb and process the information. If the company makes an attractive counter-offer, it will be awkward if you have already announced your plans to coworkers. Find out how your departure should be communicated to the rest of the staff once you have spoken with your boss. You boss may send out a company-wide email, or they may ask you to send out your own personal notice. Do not mention your departure to anyone before you have discussed these details with your boss.
This is especially important if you are working on a team. Once you have given your 2 weeks notice, discuss with your team which individuals will take on which duties until a replacement is found for you.
Example of what not to write: “ Dear Mr. Anderson, I quit. I hated working here. You’re the worst boss I have ever had, Goodbye Forever, Bob PS. you also owe me $3,000 in vacation and sick days. ”
A standard letter of resignation would read something like this: “Dear Mr. Spacely: It has been my honor to work for Spacely Sprockets, Inc. This letter is to notify you that I will be leaving to accept a new position with another company as of [a date which is AT LEAST 2 weeks from the date of your conversation and letter]. Please accept my thanks for our association, and best regards to you and the entire company for the future. Sincerely, George Jetson. "
Putting your achievements down will help you if you ever apply to a job that runs through the same HR department, as your file will be accessed and your accomplishments will be one of the first things noted.
For instance, you could add, “I would never have been able to pursue my dream of becoming a prolific author without the insight I gained into the publishing industry by working at this wonderful company. Thank you for all your guidance. With kind regards, Madeline Miller. ”
If there is too much going on, you will only add to their hassles, so if it’s at all possible, wait for a time when your boss will have a few moments to focus on your news.
“I’ve been considering my options here for some time, and I’ve decided it’s time for me to move on. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve found here, but I must give my two weeks’ notice. " OR. . . “I need to let you know that I have been offered a new position at another company. I have really enjoyed working here, but I need to give you my two weeks’ notice as of today. My last day of work will be [whatever two weeks from then is]. Is this reasonable?”
If you are quitting because you hate your job, try to frame your answers in an inoffensive way. Instead of “I hate working here” you might say “I think its time that I head in a different direction with my career. ”
Your meeting with your boss would be a prime negotiating opportunity, so be prepared for it, and know your own bottom line. If staying is an option, what would make you open to it? However, keep in mind that counter offers can have some serious downsides. If you are given a counteroffer, be sure to request for any counteroffer to be put in writing and signed. Those signatures would preferably be your boss, supervisor, and human resources. When considering a counteroffer, honestly evaluate why you want to leave—and protect yourself. While a raise might be nice, it might not solve other issues that require either a promotion (if your job advancement has stalled) or a transfer to another group (if you have personality conflicts with your boss).
In other words, you won’t help yourself by saying, “Yes, you’re a lousy supervisor and I (or anyone) would have been way better off without you,” (even if that’s true). You can be truthful without being cruel. Try saying something like, “I’ve gotten an opportunity that will be a better fit for me,” in order to keep the terms about you rather than the environment or colleagues you’re leaving.
Be aware that some bosses don’t take kindly to you being “the decider. " Be sure you can truly afford to walk away from your job that day, because sometimes the supervisor takes it very personally that you are leaving, tell you there’s no need to give notice, and instruct you to leave immediately. You will be the best judge of this, so do your best to assess if your boss is one of these people—but be aware, sometimes, you just can’t predict what anyone will do. Re-read your employment contract; you must be aware of all the company’s and your own termination options. If there is no formal employment contract, familiarize yourself with the default provisions of your state/provincial law.
Shake hands, thank your soon-to-be-former supervisor (yay!) for “everything,” and leave.
For example, “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I am resigning to take a position at another company. Before I leave I wanted to be sure to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed working with you. " These people may leave for other jobs in the future and you want them to have positive memories of you. Who knows when they can impact your next career move.
