How to Resign from a Job

Resigning from a job can be seen as a form of freedom or an opportunity to start a better career. However, quitting is more than just packing your things, shouting at your boss, and walking out. You should resign with gratitude and respect in order to leave a positive impression. If you want to learn how to minimize the damage and maintain a good relationship with your company, continue reading the article below.

Plan what you will do after resigning. Once you have firmly decided to quit, you should create a specific plan so you don’t feel lost afterward. Ideally, you should only resign after securing a new job because it’s hard to get hired while unemployed.

• Don’t think you can only ‘do well’ after finding a new job. Given the current economy, you might be unemployed for longer than you expect. Don’t quit in anger and assume you can predict what will happen next.
• Prepare for another job before you resign. You should spend time researching the job market when you plan to quit. Be honest that you’re employed when interviewing with recruiters.
• If you can’t find another job, make sure you have enough savings for the unemployment period. If you can’t continue your current job, create a savings account so you can quit earlier. This means you’ll have a budget until you find a new job. When saving, plan for a potentially long unemployment period to stay safe.
• When resigning, make sure you have a valid reason. Don’t quit just because you feel undervalued or paid less without first discussing it with your employer. If you haven’t fully attempted to resolve issues at your current job, you may encounter the same problems at your new position.

Give two weeks' notice. This is an act of respect. Remember that the company relies on you, and they need time to find a replacement for your position. If the company requires more than two weeks' notice, follow that guideline.

• Even if the company does not have a two-week notice rule, consider how much time the company will need to find a replacement, and notify them accordingly.
• Don't give notice "too" early. Once again, you need to be tactful here. If you're leaving because you're moving abroad or relocating to a different province/city in a few months, don't bring it up until the right time, as it could create a tense atmosphere at work.

Notify your superior. Unless there are special circumstances preventing you from speaking directly to your boss, or if you work remotely, you need to be direct and notify your superior in person. Sending an email can make you seem weak and fearful when addressing serious matters, or it may signal to your superior that you don't value them enough to take the time to have a conversation. Here are some points to consider when speaking with your superior:

• Make sure your superior is the first person in the company to know about your resignation. Don’t tell colleagues, no matter how close you are, and avoid actions like posting your new job on Facebook or updating your LinkedIn profile with the new role before notifying the company.
• Be brief and to the point. If you’ve scheduled a meeting, get straight to the issue. Let your superior know that you are resigning from your current position.
• Be polite when explaining your reason for leaving. Don’t tell your superior that you feel undervalued or overworked, or that you dislike the company culture.
• If you have found a new job, say, "I found a position that better aligns with my goals" or inform your boss that the new role allows you to showcase your strengths, such as teaching or consulting. If you haven’t found a new job yet, simply say, "I’m exploring new opportunities" or "This is the best decision for me and my family."
• Thank your superior. Let them know you’ve had a wonderful time at the company and have learned a great deal. Be sincere when expressing appreciation for their efforts. You don’t need to say too much at this point—just be grateful, but not overly flattering, since you're resigning.
• Ask if you can include them as a reference when applying for new jobs. If they agree, it will help you significantly in your future career pursuits.
• Always remain professional. This is not the time to air personal grievances or act unprofessionally. Keep in mind that potential employers may contact your superior, so maintain an open and honest image.

Prepare to answer your superior’s questions. In most cases, your boss will not simply agree and wish you the best of luck. They will likely ask why you’re leaving, and they might try to convince you to stay. If you’re prepared, you’ll appear professional and thoughtful, and the conversation will flow more smoothly. Here are some things you should prepare:

• Have a handover plan. If your boss asks about the transition plan or how you intend to transfer your tasks to another employee, be ready to explain your plan. Present it to your superior to show that you’ve considered the impact on the company and are committed to a smooth transition.
• Think about what to say if your boss makes a counteroffer. What would you do if they unexpectedly offer you a 10% or even 20% salary increase? What if they double your salary? If your superior "really" wants you to stay, how would you handle that? When considering how to respond, reflect on why you decided to resign in the first place.
• If the main reason for your resignation is feeling underpaid, you should seriously consider any salary increase offer. However, if you’re determined to leave for other reasons unrelated to pay, don’t be swayed by these offers, or you might end up still unhappy.
• Consider your response if your boss asks you to stay longer. Would you agree if they asked you to stay an extra couple of weeks to finish a project?

Draft a polite resignation letter. This is something you should do "after" having a clear conversation with your superior. Prior to this, you should be aware of the company culture. If the company doesn’t require you to draft a resignation letter, don’t waste time doing so. However, if it’s requested, make sure to comply.

• The letter is a crucial part of the resignation process because it formally summarizes your plans in writing. If you notify two weeks in advance in your letter, your superior cannot ask you to stay longer.
• Include the company’s address and the date on the letter. The date is when you plan to deliver the letter to your superior, as it helps record when the letter is written and received.
• State your intention to resign. Write, "This is official notice that I, (name), will be resigning from the position of (job title) at (company name)". Be clear and direct in any circumstance.
• Indicate your departure date. Write, "I am giving two weeks' notice, effective from (date)". If you’ve had multiple discussions with the company, include the time frame accordingly.
• Thank the company. Write, "I appreciate the opportunity that (company name) has provided me and wish the company continued success in the future". This is an important gesture of warmth and leaves a positive impression.
• Sign the letter. Use "Sincerely" to close the letter, followed by your name and title.

Maintain professionalism after informing your superior. Potential employers often contact your previous company to inquire about candidates. Leaving a poor impression can affect your future job opportunities. After notifying the company two weeks in advance, continue working and fulfilling your duties instead of slacking off and daydreaming about your departure.

• Do what is required during the two-week notice period. Even if it’s tempting to lose focus and not want to find a handover person, remember that former employers can easily influence your future job prospects. So, put effort into the handover process at the company. You don’t want to disappoint anyone by leaving tasks incomplete.

Leave in a polite and friendly manner once your time at the company is over. Don’t just toss your belongings in a box and rush out the door. Instead, take the time to say goodbye to your superior and colleagues and tell them you’ll stay in touch.

• After all, you’ve spent many years working there and formed valuable relationships. So, keep in touch if you wish to.
• You can send a group email to your colleagues, sharing your contact details, and even plan outings if you’re close to them.
• Avoid speaking negatively about the company and former colleagues in the future. Those words might come back to you and tarnish your reputation. If you complain about your old job to a new employer, it will make you appear ungrateful and whiny.

Compare the benefits of being "fired" versus "resigning". Being "fired" does not mean you’ve done something to upset your superior. It simply means you’ve discussed with your superior and decided to leave under the premise of being "fired". Choosing to leave in this manner might entitle you to unemployment benefits and other perks not available if you resign. Unemployment benefits are only given to those who lose their job through no fault of their own.

• This only applies in certain situations. For example, if you’re working at a company and cannot manage your workload, having an honest conversation with your superior could lead to better terms from the company.
• If you choose this route, you should have a good reason for wanting to be "fired". This implies you are valuable to the company, but you want time off to explore new projects or spend time with family.
• This method is only applicable if you don’t transition to a new job. If you move on to a new job, you could benefit from those employment terms and compensation instead.
• To make this approach work, you must have a good relationship with your superior. They need to know and understand the value you bring to the company.

Talk to your superior about your current situation. This is one of the most difficult conversations, but it can yield good results for both sides. After informing your superior of your desire to leave, you should have an honest discussion about wanting to be "fired". Here are the steps you should take:

• Explain why you want to leave. Be honest. It could be because your role has too much work, you need mental relaxation, or you want to pursue your own projects.
• Try to influence your superior to let you go rather than resigning voluntarily. While you can’t exactly "demand" to be fired, this might naturally come up in conversation. If you're close with your superior, they might allow you to leave because they understand that this could improve the work situation moving forward.
• Understand that this method gives you less control over your "departure date". If you're trying to get fired, you don’t have control over when you leave. It could be immediately or take a while.

Apply for unemployment benefits. Once you've reached an agreement with your superior, you can submit your application for unemployment benefits.

• You will receive unemployment benefits until you find another job.