How to Leave Your Job Like a Boss

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 3.2 million people quit their jobs in September of 2017. People decide to leave their jobs for reasons ranging from the need to make more money to differences of opinions with management. When you decide to move on, the way that you make your exit is important because you want your former employer and colleagues to be positive references and networking resources.  You also don’t want to undo all the good work you’ve done with a company by leaving in an unprofessional way. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), quitting a job is like ending a romantic relationship, and can be very emotional for the employee and others in the organization. Here are some things to keep in mind as you make plans to move on to greener pastures.

How to tell your boss
The manner in which you deliver your notice to your employer matters. You should tell your boss before you tell coworkers or mentors. You don’t want them finding out through the office rumor mill before you have a chance to tell them in your own words. While you may be dreading the conversation, giving notice in person is really the best way to proceed. If you have developed a good relationship with your boss, they will expect you to tell them in person about your plans rather than through an impersonal email or letter. Our recruiters typically recommend giving written notice as well in the interest of professional courtesy, and also to establish a paper trail which documents the date of your resignation. Your letter of resignation should include your announcement that you are quitting, the date you are giving your resignation, and your proposed last day. Having your intentions in writing will solidify your intention to leave, and help you make a clean break so that you are not persuaded into staying longer than you would like.

How much notice should you give?
Not a great deal of information is available about why giving two weeks’ notice has become standard procedure, but that is typically what employers expect. Most companies will have their notice policy in their company handbook. You may have a contract mandating a specific notice period; if so, that should be followed. If you don’t give appropriate notice, you may lose any vacation pay or bonus that you’re expecting. Leaving without notice doesn’t only affect your boss; it can also inconvenience your coworkers, clients and others at the company. Don’t leave in the middle of a project if you are the point person. You should be available to your replacement for phone calls or questions. Your assistance in making a smooth transition out of your role will ensure that you receive a good reference from your employer, colleagues and clients. If you are going to work for a competitor in your industry, your employer may ask that you leave effective immediately. Giving notice is essentially a good faith gesture to ensure that you leave the company on a high note and don’t burn bridges with the connections in your industry. Whether you think you may want to return to the company in the future or not, you don’t want to risk a bad reference, or gaining a reputation for being unreliable. Regardless of what you expect your employer’s response to your resignation, the best course of action is to give the minimum expected two week notice.

What if they ask you to stay?
When the time comes to give your resignation, your employer may offer you an increase in pay, a more interesting project, or a management position. The decision to accept a counteroffer is not always an easy one to make, but there are some factors to consider in determining if it is the right choice. If your primary motivation for leaving was dissatisfaction with the company and its methods or policies, keep in mind that that is not going to change no matter how much your pay increases. If money was your primary reason for leaving, you may want to ask yourself why it took your resignation for the company to decide to give you a pay increase. They may be simply biding time until they can find a replacement for you. You will also risk animosity from coworkers who wonder why you were rewarded by the company for quitting. Furthermore, you and the employer making the counteroffer may experience mutual trust issues if you accept an offer to stay following your resignation. You will have also sent a message to your prospective employer that you may have been only using them to leverage a pay increase at your current position, thus making it unlikely for them to consider hiring you in the future.

In your last days in your position, help coworkers and management prepare for your departure by bringing them up to date on any projects you’re working on, giving them passwords and account information, and completing any assignments you can in the time allotted. When you dedicate yourself to making your last days with the company less of a hardship for your organization, you can walk out the door on that final day feeling accomplished, relieved and ready to start your new chapter.

Bradley Staffing Group is a full-service staffing firm based in Wayne, PA. We are committed to matching A-level talent with best-in-class businesses. Our knowledgeable and well-trained staff brings a combined 70+ years of staffing experience to our clients and candidates alike. http://useful-sock.flywheelsites.com/contact-us/