Even if you really like your job, you may have come across a tempting new opportunity that is making you consider your options. Perhaps you received a new job offer or someone from your network has reached out with a position that they’d like you to fill. In any case, knowing when to resign, how to do it, and how to write the best resignation letter may be unfamiliar ground for you.
Not to worry! We’re here to save the day with a complete guide to resigning from your job. We’ve even included a handy sample best resignation letter to get you started.
Read on for all our insider tips that’ll make your resignation go smoothly.
What to consider before resigning from your job
We’ll get to the how and when of leaving your job a little further down in this post, but let’s talk about a few things you should consider before resigning.
First things first, you need to have options. Resigning from your job without a new one lined up or without funds to cover living costs for a few months can put you in a dangerous situation. If that’s not the case for you, start searching for jobs and sending out applications so that you have a new position ready for you when you leave your current job.
If you’re thinking about resigning because you want a higher salary, then don’t just quit out of frustration! Try negotiating a higher salary with your manager or HR department, and if that doesn’t work, then start looking for a job that offers a wage that you’re happy with.
How to know if it’s time to resign
Even just thinking about resigning can make you doubt yourself, worry about the outcomes, and convince yourself that staying put is the only option. Here are five tell-tale signs that it might be time to resign.
You’re uninspired by your job
A couple of years ago you walked into work with a spring in your step, ready for a productive day doing what you love. But now, you dread Mondays, aren’t interested in new projects and count down the minutes until you can clock out. If your job has you feeling this way, then it might be time to move on.
You’re being excluded
One of the best reasons to resign is when you feel you’re being left out of projects that you used to be included in. This can have negative effects on your motivation and commitment to your team, so looking for other opportunities is a natural next move.
Other jobs are catching your eye
If you catch yourself browsing job postings and daydreaming about working at another company or even in a different industry, then you’re already on the way out — mentally, at least. Why not take a chance by applying for one of those jobs you've been checking out?
Your responsibilities have increased, but your pay hasn’t
It feels good to be trusted with new responsibilities, but you should also be getting paid according to what you do. If you feel like your pay doesn’t reflect your workload, and salary negotiations haven’t been productive, then resigning could be your only route to a raise.
Your work environment is toxic
There’s no easy way to say this, but if your workplace is toxic, you’re better off resigning from your job. Why? Because disrespectful behaviour, a poor work-life balance and bad leadership can have detrimental effects on your wellbeing and your career. You’re better off working somewhere with a healthy and positive workplace culture!
There’s no room for growth
A clear career path is fundamental in any job, and knowing that you can aim for higher positions within an organization keeps you motivated and engaged. If there’s no potential for getting to the next step in your career, you may well be wasting precious time by staying at your current job. Move on to a company that gives you the chance to grow!
How to resign
If you’ve decided to resign, you may be wondering how to resign professionally and politely? It would be great if it was just a matter of sending a quick email and walking out the door. But if you want to resign the right way while maintaining a good relationship with your employer and managers, take the following five tips into account.
Give notice
Many jobs require you to give at least two weeks’ notice when resigning but check with HR in case you need to give more. A notice period gives your employer time to find a replacement or train somebody internally to take over your responsibilities. Don’t give less than two weeks unless it’s completely unavoidable or if you’re in danger at work.
Tell your boss in person
The worst way your boss can find out about your resignation is through workplace gossip. The right thing to do is to speak to your superior face-to-face and address your resignation directly. This might be a little uncomfortable at first but it’s the professional thing to do.
Keep things positive
While resigning might seem like the perfect opportunity to tell your boss or your team what you really think about them, it’s best to keep things positive. You won’t gain anything from burning your bridges with your current coworkers, and when future employers contact your references or verify your employment history, you don’t want them to find out that you resigned on a negative note.
Help with the transition
Your boss may ask you to train someone to take your place once you leave the company. If that’s the case, help out where needed and be cooperative with the transition. Refusing to help the company deal with your departure won’t benefit you in any way and might even cause problems for people on your team.
Finish your work
A good way to leave your job on a positive note and set things up for your coworkers so that they can easily take over your responsibilities is to finish any pending tasks and projects that you have. This might not be possible if you’re halfway through a 4-month-long project but do your best not to leave a mountain of unfinished reports and tasks for someone else to deal with.
Say goodbye to your coworkers
Saying goodbye to coworkers and teammates is a great way to resign professionally while keeping them in your network of contacts. You could send a group email, or better yet, individual and personalized emails with your future contact details for them to keep in touch. If you need another reason to properly say goodbye to your colleagues, remember that employers sometimes check with former coworkers when carrying out detailed background checks.
How to write a good resignation letter
Here comes one of the most important parts of leaving your job: writing the best resignation letter for a smooth and professional exit from the company. The purpose of a resignation letter is to formalize your intention to leave the company and to officially inform your boss and employer that you will no longer be working for them.
Here’s the information that you should include in your resignation letter:
- Your explicit intent to resign from your position
- The last day that you’ll be working in the company
- A thank you for the opportunity to work at the company
- An offer to help with the transition process
- Your contact information.
That’s all you need to say in your resignation letter! Pretty simple, right? Avoid the temptation to add any negativity to your resignation letter. That means no complaining, blaming others or criticizing the company. Keep things polite and professional at all times.
Here’s a sample resignation letter that you can use as a template for writing your own:
Full name
Current job title
Current organization
Home address
Email address
Date of resignation
Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs. [Last name],
I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from my position as [Job title] for [Company name], effective [Date].
I appreciate the opportunities I’ve been given at [Company name] and I’m very grateful for all that I’ve learned during my time here. I have enjoyed being part of your organization and feel proud to have worked alongside such a great team.
If I can help out with anything during the transition period, or if you’d like me to help train the person who will be replacing me, please let me know.
I wish you all the best, and if you need to contact me in the future my email address is [Your email address]
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your full name]
Final thoughts on resigning
That’s everything you need to know about resigning from your job! Remember, resigning doesn’t have to be a negative experience. If you follow the steps and tips in this blog post, you’ll be able to resign professionally and move on to your next job knowing that you did things the right way.
Good luck with your resignation process and if you already have a new job lined up, congratulations!