How to quit your job gracefully
Strange as it may seem, quitting a job can feel like breaking up with someone — but instead of your loved one, you’ve got to say goodbye to your employer and colleagues. You can do things right and quit with dignity, or you can do things wrong, leaving burning bridges behind you. If you’ve made a decision to quit but feel anxious about leaving a bad impression, here are a few tips on how to do it well:
Give two weeks’ notice. This is a standard procedure that is usually reflected in the contract, but even if that’s not your case, giving a two weeks’ notice is always a right thing to do. For starters, you don’t want your resignation to turn into a burden for your colleagues; jumping ship without giving notice can also leave your former employer short-handed. If you’re working on a project that might take more than two weeks to finish, it would be wise to announce your resignation even earlier. Regardless of the circumstances, you should transfer your responsibilities and quit in the smoothest manner possible.
Your boss should be the first to hear the news. The reason for doing so is quite simple: no matter how much you trust your colleagues, there’s always a small chance that informing them in first instance may result in the unnecessary office gossip. You certainly don’t want your boss to hear the news from somebody else — that’s simply insulting, not to mention that the last thing you need is a bad reference from your ex-boss. So tell him or her first.
Try to tell your boss in person. Declaring your resignation is not something to be done via email: unless absolutely impossible, tell your employer you’ve decided to quit face to face. If you don’t work in the same office or your boss is too difficult to reach, it’s best to talk via phone. Either way, you want to leave gracefully — not like a coward.
Decide the best way to explain that you’re leaving. Think your story through before telling it to your employer. If you don’t feel like being too sincere, there’s nothing wrong with smoothing out the bumps. Keep it general, try not to focus on the negative details — emphasise all things positive instead. You don’t have to tell the actual reasons behind your resignation if you don’t want to. Also, keep in mind that your boss might ask you to write a resignation letter, or, make a counteroffer (which can be equally unpleasant sometimes). So consider what you’ll do in these situations in advance.
Say a warm goodbye. As soon as you’re through with all that nervous procedural stuff, you can finally relax. Talk to your colleagues, shake hands with your boss, throw a farewell party if you feel like doing it. Remember that you’re no longer an employee or a co-worker — now you’re just a person these people used to work with. Avoid discussing negative reasons (if any) behind your departure with the colleagues. Airing grievances about them or your former employer on social media after you quit is also not a good idea — if you want to leave in style, spend some of your time on writing a thankful post instead. No matter whether want to leave the door a crack open or not, making a nice impression in the end isn’t just forethoughtful — it’s also pleasant.
