|
There are right and wrong ways of resigning from your job. Doing things the
wrong way can often lead to negative feelings between you and your employer,
recriminations on both sides and often, a bad reference. On the other hand,
conforming to the correct etiquette of resigning can go a long way in ensuring
continued success in both your personal and career development.
|
Following Testaments needs to be looked at carefully:
|
-
make sure that you know what you are doing, be prepared and be
positive;
-
carefully consider your options before making up your mind;
-
are you committed to leaving? Make a list of reasons as to why
you should resign;
-
have you pursued all avenues for advancement within your
current firm?
-
would you leave if you were offered more money or a promotion?
-
how is your career going? Talk to the boss or your
Personnel/HR Manager to assess how they think you're doing;
-
will you be better off in your new job? Consider money,
location, career and personal development as the main factors;
-
talk to your family. How do they think you should progress?
-
what does your heart say? What does your head say?
|
The resignation meeting:
-
Work out what you're going to say and then stick to it
- The boss will try and probe you for more information - details that you may
not want to give at this stage. Don't be obstructive but simply make it clear
that you are submitting an oral resignation.
-
Emphasize the positives - You never know when
your career will mean that you cross paths with your former employers so don't
dwell on the negative aspects of your time at the firm.
-
Expect a reaction - Unless your boss is
expecting you to resign, your decision may come as a surprise. The boss may get
emotional or even confrontational in which case, stick to your prepared
comments.
-
Retain your composure - The boss may by now
no longer see you as a team player and may even feel betrayed. Once again,
stick to your pre-prepared comments and try not to rise to the challenge. Speak
in measured tones and regulate your breathing.
-
Always leave the meeting on a good note and be as
co-operative as possible - Stress that you will undertake the
handover of any uncompleted work to the best of your ability. People remember
both the first and last impression you make on them.
|
The written resignation In its simplest form, a resignation letter
should only include the following information: name, date, the person it is
addressed, notice of termination of employment, when this is effective from and
finally, your signature.
|
If you're leaving in good circumstances and feel that you want to say a little
bit more, again, emphasize the positive - perhaps thank the boss for the
opportunities he/she gave you - you never know when you may need your
ex-employer to vouch for you or to give you a reference
|
|
If however, you're leaving in strained or bad circumstances, resist the
temptation to badmouth and let off steam. Remember, your letter of resignation
may be used as a stick with which to bash you later on.
|
|
Don't get personal. Just because you are now leaving, a written letter of
resignation is not the vehicle with which to tell your boss what you really
thought of them. Never commit your thoughts to paper - your comments will
remain in your personnel file and may come back to haunt you.
|
|
The counter-offer:
-
Consider any counter-offers seriously. Are you being offered a
higher salary, a move to another location, a step up the career ladder?
-
Is this what you really want? Has anything changed? Why did
you take the decision to resign in the first place and have these factors been
effectively addressed?
-
Will you have the same standing within the company? The boss
may now be doubtful of your 100% commitment to the firm. In this way, maybe it
would be better to move on.
-
Having already resigned once, will you be more partial to
seeking alternative employment more easily next time?
-
How does the acceptance of a counter-offer affect your
integrity with your would-be-employers? You never know when you may cross paths
with them again.
|
|
Leave on the right note:
-
Make sure that you've given ample notice to the firm of your
intention to leave. Your notice period is usually stated in your contract of
employment or in the Company handbook. Where no period of notice is stipulated,
you should allow between 2 and 4 weeks for any hand over of work to take
place.
-
Make sure that you've completed any outstanding tasks and
participated in the smooth hand over of any unfinished work.
-
Ensure that your boss knows that you've actively participated
in this process and that you have been as co-operative as possible.
-
Take time out to speak to all of your colleagues and
associates. Give them support and make positive comments about their
contribution to your time at the firm. Try to remain in touch because again,
you never know when they'll be useful to your personal and career development
in the future.
-
Negotiate a fair settlement for any outstanding
salary/commission payments that are due to you.
|