If you seized a superior job opportunity, pursued a dream, or handled a family crisis, you might want to quit. However, you do not know how to resign and break the news to your manager. In this article, you will learn how to quit a job gracefully and professionally.
Once you figure out how to quit your job, you can maintain professional ties with your employer. Also, your transition to your new job or career will become easier.
Apart from that, this article also discusses the steps you need to take if you want to quit your job faster. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
How to Quit a Job? – A General Overview
The first thing you must consider when you want to quit your job is to get a valid reason. Although you always have the option to choose the best excuse to quit a job without notice, you must not do so. This is because it damages your reputation in the organization.
Here are some valid reasons why you might choose to quit your job:
- Health reasons
- Family responsibilities
- Excessive stress or anxiety
- Pursuing further education
- Taking a sabbatical
- Relocating to a new area
- An enticing job offers
- A better career option that your current employer cannot offer
There can be more reasons depending on your situation. However, you must ensure your reason for resigning from your job is valid enough. Generally, companies consider these examples of quitting as positive.
Hence, before you learn how to resign from a job, ensure that you evaluate your situation carefully. Moreover, with proper planning, you will not create a gap in your income and employment.
How to Quit a Job with Grace? -Steps to Follow
If you want to know how to quit a job, the following are the major steps you must follow:
1. Plan Your Next Steps
Make sure to craft your resignation for maximum benefits. For instance, even if you want to resign desperately, ensure you have a strong action plan. This will help you move faster in your new direction. However, do not consider quitting first, as you will spend a lot of time thinking about it later.
Moreover, you must also consider the timing of your resignation. Consider whether you are in the middle of a project or not. For instance, if you finish the project, you can add it to your resume. Furthermore, you must also consider whether you need training for a career change.
To ensure that there is no gap in your employment or upskilling, ensure you have a job in line. Also, take your time to secure an interview or spend time on a skill-building course.
2. Create Your Resignation Letter (E-mail)
If you have a strong plan, it shows you are ready to resign. Now, you must begin writing your resignation letter. However, even if you choose to have a verbal resignation, make sure to send at least an email. This is because official documentation is necessary. Apart from that, sending an email is also a professional approach and respectful.
The following are the factors you must consider when you are writing your resignation mail:
- To ensure there is no confusion in the process, mention the date of your last day at work. This way, you offer your employer the time to be prepared. Also, you can make your intentions clear from the start. Additionally, if there is a notice period, offer the 2 weeks notice letter.
- Thank your employer and show gratitude, even if you cannot think of anything positive about this job. Still, you must thank me for the opportunity you had. Apart from that, you can also mention your reason for leaving.
- Everyone wants to maintain a good relationship. Here, you can offer assistance during the transition between you and your successor. Also, you can offer help for a smooth transition.
3. Try to Resign in Person
Apart from writing your resignation letter, talk about the process in person. This way, you can show integrity and professionalism. Moreover, you will not end up surprising your manager with the resignation letter. Basically, once you resign in person, you can avoid any gossip or rumor in the office.
Moreover, if your manager works from an off-site location or you are a remote employee, then obviously, you might not want to resign in person. Hence, in such situations, you must be formal with your resignation mail and include everything necessary.
On the other hand, an email resignation can come across as cold and rude. Hence, resigning in a face-to-face meeting is a better step to take. Also, this ensures you have an open conversation between your employer and you. To ask for an appropriate time, make sure to email your manager or HR.
However, if your relationship with your manager or your HR is not great, and you want to avoid them, you must stick to the email.
4. Serve the Notice Period
Most companies ask for two weeks’ time from an employee in the form of a notice period. However, in some cases, the notice period is four weeks.
On the other hand, some employers prefer to terminate contracts immediately. Hence, you must stay prepared for such decisions when you apply for a resignation. Such behaviors are common in situations where employees can easily remove contacts, files, and ideas.
Hence, your employer will surely want to avoid this. Hence, they can limit your time in the office by accepting your resignation.
5. Plan Your Transition Beforehand
Create a transition plan yourself apart from offering support to a new employee. Thereby, you can ensure your work, and your legacy continues in the organization. For instance, you can create a transition plan to show you have a professional attitude. Also, it shows that you have a strong dedication to work.
Hence, with this effort, you can ensure a positive attitude in the resignation process. Also, you will allow further communication if other opportunities arise during this time.
When you create a transition plan, make sure to outline the major duties and responsibilities in a comprehensive manner. Hence, when a new employee comes, they will know about what role they need to perform. Moreover, you must also detail your ongoing projects so that you can pick up where they leave you.
6. Ask for a Recommendation
If you maintain a professional attitude during the resignation process, you can ask your employer to offer you a recommendation. This will help you maintain goodwill with your employer, and you can request a recommendation from your employer.
Moreover, when you are asking for a formal recommendation, make sure to ask someone who is familiar with your work. Also, be clear about when you need the letter and what you want them to focus on when they offer you the recommendation.
7. Prepare for an Exit Interview
After you send your resignation mail, your employer might ask you to attend an exit interview. Here, you must give feedback that you feel is important for the organization.
Also, this is a great place to show your gratitude to your employer. Moreover, you might need to explain your reasons for leaving, the best thing about working here, etc.
Quitting Your Job: The Way Forward
Now you know how to quit a job professionally and gracefully. Understand that the most important part of a resignation is to have a plan for the transition process. Hence, if you work for a new role, consider boosting your skills, getting a certificate, or learning a new skill.
Do you have more suggestions for an employee about how to quit a job? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
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