Quitting with style

Ready to resign? Before you storm the bosses' office to tell him what you really think, consider that how you quit can have a big impact on your future job prospects. Take a deep breath and consider the points below.

Do you really have to go? Make sure you are planning a change for the right reasons. Would promotion or a move into another department within the business resolve your problems? If you have faith in your HR representative, sit down with them and discuss your options. That’s what they are there for! You may find there are more opportunities with your current employer than you realised.

Expect a reaction! Unless your employer has been expecting you to resign, or requested it, you may be confronted with a range of reactions to your intention to resign. Don’t see it as an opportunity to respond with a list of complaints and the companies' failings. Maintain a cool head and simply state clearly your rehearsed reasons for leaving. Make it clear to your employer that you wish to leave on good terms.

Know your obligations. If you are currently under contract or working in a probationary period, you may have the responsibility to provide a certain amount of notice. Be aware of your rights and contractual obligations and seek out your union representative or legal advice if you require clarification.

Don't burn your bridges. Venting about your job to colleagues or at your boss may mean losing a potentially valuable reference; you may also make it very difficult to return should you ever need to. In addition, the people you work with today will inevitably move on to other things. You may find yourself looking across a desk at them in a future interview!

To sue or not to sue.
If you have been treated badly and have grounds to sue your current employer, the last thing you want is a messy resignation. Words said in the heat of the moment have a habit of coming back to haunt you! Stay calm and consider your next move carefully, gathering evidence for your case if necessary. Your employer may well escort to your door the day you hand in your notice and you could lose this opportunity.

Get what's coming to you.
Ensure you are aware of what you are entitled to, take stock of your annual leave and any long service owing. It can be easier to make these simple enquiries while you are still with your employer and have access to an HR representative or a payroll system.

Identify a good referee.
Find someone within your business who may be willing to act as a referee. Make sure it is somebody that you have had a working relationship with for a reasonable period of time. A future employer is likely to ask detailed questions about your work habits and ambitions, and you want your referee to be able to answer with confidence. Ensure your referee is warned in advance of a possible phone call from a prospective employer.

Consider a counter offer.
If your employer makes a counter offer to entice you to stay, it can be tempting to take the money without considering the consequences. If you choose to stay and accept the money, do so for the right reasons. More money in your pocket won’t resolve a problem with a difficult supervisor, or a bad culture fit. In addition, will your employer continue to have the same faith in you? If you feel that accepting the offer and remaining in your position may bring your commitment to your employer into question, it may be easier to simply move on.

Wrap up your previous work.
Try to resolve as much outstanding work as you can in your remaining time, or at least ensure that you leave a comprehensive handover document for your successor or supervisor. Nothing leaves a worse impression after you leave like a pile of unfinished work in your in-tray. If anything, you should strive to work harder in your last few weeks that you might have otherwise.

Participate in an exit interview.
If you are invited to be part of an exit interview, you should strongly consider participating. Most employers will appreciate your involvement, and you are likely to have a more enthusiastic referee when you leave. Under no circumstances however, should you use it as an opportunity to vent. If you do feel it necessary to make a comment on the reasons for your departure, ensure your remarks are not inflammatory. Rather than naming names and laying blame, recommend changes that may improve the position for the next person in your old job.

Write a professional resignation letter. When your mother told you if you had nothing nice to say, you shouldn't say anything at all, she was right! Keep your resignation letter formal, straightforward and professional.

• State your intention to resign and if necessary, the last date of your employment.
• If appropriate, include a short comment regarding your willingness to stay on and train a replacement.
• Don't use it as an opportunity to vent!
• If you wish, include a short note of thanks in the letter, but keep it brief.

Finally, don't feel guilty! Remember the reasons you are making the change, and focus on your next career move. Taking the time before you depart to visit colleagues and associates before you leave can be worthwhile as well. It's a small world, and you never know when you may meet these people again in your career.

by Martin Jorgensen