Is there a right way to leave a job? If you’re here, it’s because you’ve decided that you’re leaving your current job.
Is there a right way to leave a job? If you’re here, it’s because you’ve decided that you’re leaving your current job. But before you throw your computer out of the window and walk out screaming “I quit my job!”… you might want to review how to quit your job step by step in a proper way. We’d rather you didn’t get any complaints in the next few days. Just saying.
But first… Are you sure you want to quit your job?
Are you reading this during office hours? Well a) you shouldn’t be. But b) that’s a red flag. We all have our moments when work gets the best of us. This is normal and should not be taken as an indicator that you should resign.
Don’t get carried away by momentary emotion. Leaving a job should be a considered decision, not an impulsive one. You may want to leave because you received a better offer, for personal reasons or because the work environment is toxic. Always, prioritize your mental health!. However, our advice is to think about the decision for at least a month.
Ideally, you should draw up a list of pros and cons and have another job tied up before resigning. Maybe a job where you can work from home suits you better?
So, have you made up your mind? Are you sure you want to quit? No, leave your computer. Leave it! You can’t throw it out the window yet. Leave it… Good. If you’let us give you our step-by-step guide to quitting your job… victim-free.
Giving notice (yes, in person!)
We have some bad news. You can’t just slam your resignation letter in your boss’s face and walk out slamming the door. It looks great in the movies, but in real life it’s going to leave you in a quite bad place. Do this instead:
Look for your lost contract in your bedroom drawer and check if it states how much notice you have to give before resigning. If there’s nothing, two weeks is standard. Ask for a meeting with your boss. Take a lime tea. Prepare yourself mentally. And follow our recommendations to make things run smoothly.
Explain concisely your reasons for leaving. You don’t need to go into detail, but giving a reason will help the process. Be polite, be grateful for the time you spent there (even if it was the worst), and don’t badmouth the company or your colleagues. This is not the time.
How to decline a job offer or counter-offer
It won’t always happen, but you should be ready for a counter-offer. You may be offered a salary renegotiation, a new job offer or a change of responsibilities. Consider in advance what would compensate you to stay.
If your wish to leave remains the same, then keep it simple. Be grateful for the new opportunity and for the importance they are giving to you and your contribution. Explain briefly and simply why you still want to leave. Again, there’s no need to go into detail. Be firm, but polite.
How to write a resignation letter
Right after talking to your boss and explaining your decision, send a letter of resignation (yes, you should have it prepared in advance). It will help you end your relationship with the company on good terms. Even if the environment is toxic, do your best to make a positive exit. You never know when you might need a reference.
As always, keep it short, polite and grateful. A standard resignation letter will include the following points:
- Announcement of your resignation. You can again write a brief explanation of your reasons, without going overboard.
- Last day of work. This is extremely important.
- Acknowledgements. Explain the good things the company has done for you.
- Help offer. Make yourself available to make the changeover as smooth as possible.
Quitting job and saying goodbye
Use the last two weeks to close projects and leave everything as organised as possible. No, that doesn’t mean throwing your computer out of the window. You may have to train your replacement. Do it politely, even if your departure is due to problems with the company. It’s not their fault. You can do it!
When you’ve finished these last few weeks of work, it’s time to say goodbye.
You may be anxious to leave, but you may also have made important connections with your colleagues. If this is the case, send goodbye emails. Make them personal, a general email gives a bad impression. Say something positive about each of them and remind them of your contact details. They will appreciate it.
On the last day you should return company property. Phone, keys… and yes, the computer too. Sorry. You should return it, but who are we to tell you now not to throw it out of the window? Do as you please.
What if you want to quit a job you just started?
If you have just started a job and it is already clear that you want to leave, the steps are similar to those described above. Give two weeks’ notice in person, write a resignation letter and say goodbye in a positive way. But if you are just starting out, you may want to think twice.
Leaving a job you have just started has more disadvantages than you think. It will be much harder for the company to give you a good reference. In fact, you may be blacklisted. This can hurt your image in the market. Keep in mind that the job market is not that big and gossip will fly fast.
If you are just starting out, think twice before resigning. You should always prioritise your mental health, but bear in mind that the cure may be worse than the disease.
If you’re looking for a new job after leaving your last one, we got your back! At Jobstoday.world you will find your perfect job offer. Quitting a job may be difficult, but finding the perfect one surely is an enormous joy! Let’s do it together.
See more:
- Would you like to work from home? Then Amazon remote jobs are made for you.
- You may be interested in a more physical job. If so, you could use reading our post on Amazon warehouse jobs.
- Are you thinking of quitting your current job to join Amazon? You need to do it properly. Follow our step-by-step guide to quitting a job.
If money was the problem, switching to another field may solve it. You can check out why accounting jobs are on the rise in 2022.