How to resign & the golden rule of leaving a job

Often this is a stressful & tricky time for anyone to ‘jack it in’, ‘move on’ or ‘bail out’.

But there’s a basic linear process that you can follow and a few things to do to keep it professional and not burn any bridges.

Business & work is about YOUR reputation. If people like working with you - you’ll have a very fruitful & successful career so remember that ESPECIALLY when you’re LEAVING.

The job hunt

Finding another job can be a hassle let’s face it (made easier by using a specialist recruiter :-) but staying in a job that you’re not happy with can be destructive to you, your personal life, family and mental health. It can also be seen as ‘finding that new challenge’. To not have it come to being a painful necessity you are better job hunting ‘on the up’ when things are still going well & you have confidence and momentum to find that next great role.

The Golden rule

Always best to find your next job before you resign from your last one. Easier said than done and it can sometimes take a number of weeks or months if you’re in a senior position. If things get too much and your situation is untenable then sure sometimes it’s better to leave, & have a break while job hunting. Although when you’re in a job you are in a position of power, a wanted commodity. You are also in a better position to negotiate on salary / remuneration.

Check your current contract

Make sure you know your notice period, any competition clauses so you’re crystal clear on any legal obligations.

The resignation letter

Once you’ve found a new role, received the offer in writing & references & background checks are complete you’re ‘good to go’. Talk to your boss and let them know out of courtesy & follow it up by a polite, professional email. It’s always a hard conversation like breaking up with a partner but as we know in life we have to have tough conversations every once and a while to free up the pathway to better times.

The counter offer

You current manager & team may be gutted to see you go and of course will tempt you to stay, often with a counter offer of more money. This can really play to your ego but remember you’re probably leaving for a range of things - not just the money. The research says that 80% of candidates who accept a counter-offer leave within a year because it’s not all about the money. Often you’ll find you’re in the same position in 6 months time, slightly better off financially, but unhappy and that great opportunity you turned down has gone. So ‘stick to your guns’ as they say and move on positively & professionally - it’s time.

Exit interview

Keep it professional and give feedback that will be helpful for the future but this is not a slagging match and have it in your head that one day you might return to this company or organisation (it won’t seem like it at the time) but this will keep your nose clean and on track to keeping it professional, light and breezy.

The send off

Once your boss knows you can talk to your colleagues, the key is to remain professional, don’t talk too much about your new job (some people maybe envious or even jealous), keep doing your job well and as mentioned reputation is everything so you want to finish things off nice and tidily, because who knows you might be back at that same company if things don’t work out.

Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side or an opportunity in a better position may come up back with your old company. Especially in a small market like New Zealand always keep your options open. Hopefully you’ll have a nice leaving lunch and a few drinks (not too many / head home early) with your old colleagues and remember you can still stay friends this doesn’t end. Work is a place I’ve made some great mates over the years, some I’ve met overseas have even come out and visited me in Christchurch from the UK & the states. You spend a lot of time at work and meet some fantastic people…sometimes even your partner.

Go well out there and keep striving to be your best.

I'm Paul, I love coffee, dogs (and cats) & biking. Founder & Principal Consultant of Sunstone, an IT Recruitment & HR company specialising in recruiting software development & IT roles including, web, digital, mobile, data, cloud, hardware, security & networks in Christchurch & South Island of New Zealand