Guest author Vanessa Ryan offers some advice on the proper way to quit your job.... for some, walking into the job Monday morning, this may be just the ticket for a better week..... thanks for stopping by, Vanessa.
Your efforts have paid off and you've landed a better job. But the euphoria fades when you realize you're stuck with the awkward task of telling your current employer that you're quitting. Most people have a hard time doing this gracefully. So if you find yourself wishing you could disappear without giving notice here are some tips to minimize your pain.
Unless you've just won the lottery, the "take this job and shove it" approach is not a good idea. You may want a personal reference from your boss at some point in your career, if not now, or you may end up working with some of the people at your current job in the future. Regardless of what you may think of the company, your boss, or your co-workers, you want them to think well of you when you're gone. So conduct yourself in a professional manner.
Keep in mind that you aren't required to give a reason for quitting. A simple letter, stating the effective date of your resignation is all you need to do. But depending on your company's culture, it may be less stressful if you have a few words prepared in addition to your letter of resignation. An easy way to do this is to write a list of all the things you liked about your job and all the things you didn't like. Then write a summary of everything on the list, as if you are giving a talk about what it's like to work at your company. Next, shorten the summary by saying it out loud until it sounds like you are telling a friend about leaving your job. Your last sentence is to say you've found a better opportunity, or one that is closer to home or one that somehow suits you better, whether or not that's your real reason. If it makes you feel more comfortable start with your reason first and proceed from there. Of course, when you write your list you may find there isn't anything you liked about this job. If that's the case, rather than making something up that sounds phony just say you're leaving because you found another job. Your main objective is to announce your resignation without stumbling over your words and without antagonizing anyone.
Before giving notice read your company's policies. Some take a hard line and will esort resigning employees off the premises immediately. Make sure you've removed personal property from your desk and you can return all company property assigned to you on the spot once you give notice. If you consent to an exit interview, which is not legally necessary, be aware that everything you say can be used against you in court. So if you have legitimate gripes against the company or its employees, it's best to say, "No comment," to any questions asked.
Regardless of your circumstances, a prepred exit will garner more well-wishers, as well as the secret admiration of those who may be considering the same thing.
About Vanessa: Vanessa Ryan's ability to solve human relations problems in the workplace led her to become a recruiter. She enjoys placing people in careers theywill find rewarding and fulfilling.
Technorati tags: quitting your job, recruiting and hiring, job search.
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