How to Resign Gracefully

There are few feelings that match the exhilaration of landing your dream job. It may be the culmination of months of interviews and years of education, so when you find the perfect position, you’ve earned it.

However, there may be one last hurdle between where you are and where you want to be. You’re current job.

If you find yourself in this position, you may need to give it some thought. Even if you can’t stand your current employer, you should still be careful with how you exit. So, before you step into HR or ask for a word with your boss, you may want to consider the following.

1.      Ensure Everything is Finalized with Your New Employer

This may sound like a no brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people leave their jobs for opportunities that weren’t as certain as they were expecting.

Just make sure all your documents are signed, your start date is set, and everything is finalized.

This will ensure you have the confidence to address your current superiors appropriately.

2.      Provide Notice and Plan Out Responsibility Transfers

Many states are at-will, meaning you aren’t obligated to provide notice before quitting absent a contractual obligation with the company. However, even absent an obligation, it’s common courtesy to provide your employer with time to adjust for your departure.

If you want to go one step further, plan out who will take over your job responsibilities and create a transition plan for any unfinished projects. This plan should contain a list of proposed recommendations on how your work can be shifted to others until your position is filled.

3.      Add a Personal Touch

Conflict and confrontation are not always pleasant but handling these types of conversations will earn you respect.

Before informing anyone else, speak first to your manager. If you are asked why you’re leaving, don’t use it as an invitation to point out all the negatives about the company or its culture. It’s much better to attribute your decision to opportunities you couldn’t pass up or wanting a position that better aligned with career goals or family obligations.

Again, while not always necessary, but certainly a touch of professionalism, feel free to provide your superior with a resignation letter. At minimum, it should explain your gratitude for your current employer and include the date of your final day.

4.      Inform Your Coworkers

As stated above, it is best to inform your manager or supervisor before informing any coworkers.

While speaking with your superior, you may want to discuss the proper means of explaining your departure. Your manager may want to discuss the matter privately with your team or other employees rather than having you inform them.

Again, as a professional courtesy, you should respect those wishes.

Final Thoughts

There are a few final thoughts you should remember when exiting your current place of employment gracefully:

• Avoid speaking negatively of your former employer.
• Prepare yourself for an exit interview. It should be honest, yet professional.
• Stay committed and work hard right until the end. This will ensure you leave on a positive note.
• Update social media profiles to reflect the change in employment.
• Keep in touch. You never know when a prior coworker will become an important reference or connection.