There are many reasons why a person may decide to quit work. The main ones in this case will be: career advancement, planned start of own business and dissatisfaction with current work.
However, as soon as you realize that you are ready to move on, it is important to prepare to leave and leave your workplace in the right way. Not only do you want to set yourself up for a smooth transition, but you should avoid burning any bridges on the way to the door.
How exactly should you quit your job? The steps described below will make your transition more stable and help maintain a good relationship with your former employer.
1. Think about the reasons for your departure
Before you decide how to leave work, you need to spend some time in order to think everything over carefully.
Weigh all the pros and cons of being in your current job compared to leaving. Consider factors such as compensation, the balance between work and personal life, the work environment, long-term goals, and the overall trajectory of your career. Critically analyze the reasons why you think you want to change your career.
“Before making a decision to change your workplace, conduct an in-depth assessment of your current and future conditions to make sure that you are making the right decision. Remember, don’t rush if you haven’t fully thought out your idea or new business, ”said Sophie Miles, CEO and co-founder of Elmejortrato.
There is nothing wrong with spending a few more weeks pondering your dismissal before making a decision. However, after you decide to quit your job, it’s important to develop a specific plan that will best serve your future.
2. Have a plan in place
Once you have decided that you really want to quit your job, you need to develop a plan that will help ensure your own stability and clarify your next steps. Everyone will have a different situation when changing their careers: some will start looking for work, while others have already secured full employment. Some people will act on their own, as entrepreneurs or independent contractors, others will seek to acquire a new set of skills.
“Never leave work without a clear plan. Make sure your next step is well planned. If you don’t have a clear plan, then before leaving you should calculate your monthly expenses to see if you can cover them while you are out of work, ”said Tim Toterkhey, Plotline Leadership’s business coach.
Ideally, you have already built something, be it a new job or a business plan. Leaving a job without a new job offer is at least a risky step. If you are still in the process of finding a job, consider staying in your current position until you have secured full employment or at least part-time work.
3. Tell your employer
If you are looking for a new job or attending interviews, it is not necessary to inform your supervisor. However, once you decide to leave, you should discuss this with your current employer before applying for termination. This will allow the employer to timely prepare you a loss-free replacement for the business.
Most people know that you need to file a letter of resignation in two weeks, but an informal conversation with your boss is a good way to prepare him for the formal process. It also shows that you respect the employer, which can help maintain a good relationship with him and get excellent recommendations.After all, you never know what will happen in the future. Old employees are often a source of new opportunities, so it's best to be kind and respectful.
“Talk to your current boss and explain how much you enjoyed working with them and how much you have grown in your position / company,” said Brittany Kline, personal finance expert.
After you touch on this topic with your boss, you can make an official letter of resignation.
4. Send an official letter of resignation in two weeks
You have thought it over and decided, so now is the time to move on. You developed a specific transition plan and discussed your intentions with the boss.
The next step is to file an official letter of resignation. In addition to sending an official letter of resignation, you should double check whether your company has any additional recommendations on how to resign.
A professional way to quit is to strictly follow company regulations. Make sure that you are doing everything right if your company has a number of mandatory procedures that every leaving employee must go through. Contact the personnel department and make sure that you are doing everything right.
However, what is the best way to quit? Silently put a written statement on the table to the leader and leave? As a rule, the best option is to arrange a personal meeting with the boss, even if you had a preliminary informal conversation with him. Again, professionalism and respect are key in this case. An in-person meeting shows that you are aware of the seriousness of the situation and gives you another opportunity - to offer your help in preparing a replacement for your place.
5. Help prepare replacement materials
If you want to leave work and leave a good impression about yourself, make your departure more invisible to the company. Prepare training materials that will help your replacement quickly understand the essence of the work and integrate into it. Any notes, instructions or tips that you can leave for your replacement will be useful to her. You can also suggest scheduling a one-on-one appointment with your replacement until your last business day.
Just as you took the time to create your own transition plan, it is important to propose becoming an integral part of your company’s transition plan. There is no better training resource than the person who performed this work, so using your company to prepare your own replacement is an invaluable offer.
6. Continue to work as usual for the last day
Work hard until the very last day. However, the temptation to write an official statement and to do nothing before the end of the term is always there. But you need to remember that your reputation is at stake, which is one of the most valuable assets that a person has. Continue to do your job well during the last day and your colleagues will remember you for that. In the future, perhaps this will come in handy.
Completing all your projects and providing high-quality work ensures that you make a good impression on your boss and employees.
7. Overview of benefits and paid leave
Finally, you should familiarize yourself with the memos for employees that many companies have to make sure what you can count on when you quit. Will you be paid unused paid leave, and if so, how much? Will they pay you the bonus part earned this year or not? You should find out all this before your last working day.
Mistakes to Avoid When Leaving
There are several common mistakes that people make when they leave work. These mistakes can ruin your reputation or hinder your career in your new job.
The main thing is to notify your leader the very first.Do not tell your colleagues about your plan to quit your job before informing your supervisor. This is primarily a bad taste and the ability to weave a network of numerous rumors around him. By letting your boss know before announcing this to your colleagues, you show respect and tact.
Never scold your former employer. No matter how unhappy you are in this company, you should never talk about your employer. This not only reflects badly on you, but can also be an obstacle to accepting a new position. If you were unhappy with the work you left behind, just leave it in the past and focus on a brighter future.