Million Reasons to Quit? Still, Don't Burn Bridges.
Are you ready to quit your current job and take a new, better one? But you are afraid to tell your boss about your decision, and that robs you of the energy to go job search.
According to a Harvard Business Review study, you should never quit in anger, even if you hate your current boss, coworkers or your job.
Chances are your boss will get angry, threaten you, badmouth your new job, and make you feel bad or make a counteroffer. To avoid all of these scenarios, you need to quit as nicely as possible without burning your bridges.
A staggering amount of 44% of employees are looking for a new job, according to a study by CNBC, claiming the great resignation is still on. Employees incessantly seek new and better career opportunities for variety of reasons.
So, if you are not satisfied with your job either because you have a horrible boss, the pay or benefits stink, you begin to worry about your mental health due to horrible work-life balance and want to try a part time job, you want to start your own business, or simply you think you could jump to a higher position in another company, then you're going to have to make that tough decision at some point.
In today's uncertain work environment and economy that many experts predict to be going into a recession, it is also possible that you can be terminated at any time, but whatever the circumstances are, just keep in mind that you may have to crawl back into your old job, so make sure you leave on good terms.
44% of workers are looking for a new job, according to a study by CNBC.
Here are some tips you can use to tell your boss that you're quitting gracefully.
Ask for a meeting
According to Forbes, you should ask for a formal meeting with your boss to tell them in person that you're quitting.
Even if the reason you're quitting is your boss, you shouldn't confront him because the way you leave will be remembered. Don't put your reputation and professionalism on the line when you quit.
Get straight to the point and don't explain much
According to a study published by LinkedIn, you should focus on the positive aspects of your job and thank your employer for the opportunity to grow within the company.
Your boss may ask you what job you're aiming for next. Don't make the mistake of telling your boss where you want to go. You can answer the question by saying you haven't accepted any offer yet and don't want to divulge that information just yet.
Keep it short and simple; don't explain exactly why you're quitting the job.
You should be consistent with your story and keep it general.
Further Reading: How to Stay Positive and Survive in a Toxic Workplace
Give formal notice by writing a letter of resignation
According to Monster.com, you should give your boss a formal letter of resignation with two weeks' notice before you leave.
Even if you're relieved and happy to be leaving the company, you shouldn't sound too pleased in your resignation letter.
Always use words like "with regret" or "only after careful consideration." Careful word choice adds a positive note to your letter and is likely to be met with less resistance and headwinds.
An example of a well thought out resignation letter is the following:
Two weeks notice: enter your name
Hello (manager's name),
Thank you for the opportunity and time I have spent with (company name) so far. I regret to inform you that my last day will be October 27.
I am very grateful for the rewarding experiences and perspectives during my tenure.
I wish you and the company all the best in your future endeavors. Please let me know if you need any assistance during the transition process. I will be happy to assist you over the next two weeks to help you settle in.
Sincerely
(your name)
Offer help with the transition process
If you want to have a good working relationship with your boss, you should offer to help with the transition.
If the notice period is extended after the resignation, you can help your boss and teammates get as much work done as possible. This gesture will let them know that you have the company's best interests at heart.
You can help the company find a suitable candidate for your position by assisting in the hiring process.
The least you can do is to give your successor a short briefing and tell him/her how to do things properly or clear up any ambiguities.
Tell your good friends at work about your decision
After you have officially announced the information and submitted your resignation letter, you can talk to your good friends and allies at work.
Inform them of the exact timing of your departure, and try not to be too honest when sharing the details. If you don't have anything nice to say, just find something!!.
You may share simply the contact information or your LinkedIn public profile before you leave, and stay in touch after you leave.
What to look for in your resignation
You may think you have all the answers ready and know your employer well, but be prepared for any surprising reaction.
Your boss may get angry, or disappointed. The conversation may get hot. So, keep it short and simple.
Do not rush into telling the million reasons you have in mind to quit unless a Human Resources professional or colleague honestly asks your opinions to improve the workplace culture.
If they ask you to sit in an official exit interview with the Human Resources director to improve the workplace culture, you can consider participating it, as you still would like to contribute to your company.
This will show your supervisors that you care even while you are leaving. This may also benefit you to get an excellent referral from them.
Don't insult anyone in your exit interview
Keep all your emotions and feelings to yourself and never insult a person before you leave the company. It will have a negative impact on your prospects.
Maintain the decorum of mutual respect and leave it to the best term.
Avoid burning bridges even if you want to leave your job out of excitement.
Further Reading: 5 Things to Think About Before Changing Careers
Be prepared to return your office supplies
Before you officially announce your resignation, back up all your files and projects.
Never leave your contact information, documents, files or other items on your laptop or desk at the office.
Your employer will ask you to turn in any office equipment you use. Never take anything home that belongs to the company if you want to have a lasting positive relationship with your employer.
Never stay if your boss tries to make a counteroffer
Your boss may try to convince you to stay longer than your notice period with excuses like "it was totally unexpected," "it's not a good time," or "you're letting the whole team down."
Don't settle for a counteroffer and stand by your decision no matter what.
You can suggest helping with the transition process to convince your boss of your good intentions for the company.
Conclusion
One of the most difficult conversations you might have at work is telling your boss that you are quitting, and it's hard to know how he or she will respond.
By considering these options and planning ahead, you can significantly increase the likelihood that you'll be able to address your boss's reaction.
But either way, you should remain calm and give your final notice with thought and grace.
Now, it's your turn! Write down your experience when you a quit a job.
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