Resigning
Can Be Challenging
The process of resigning and writing a letter of resignation
can be quite stressful and intimidating since this is usually very emotionally
charged.
Do Not Vent Any Grievances
The key to a successful resignation
is to ensure that you do not transfer any of your negative emotions either verbally
or in written from. Your objective is to keep it professional business like.
Your resignation letter should be drafted just like any other business letter.
Your letter of resignation will be the final document (along with your exit interview
notes) in your personnel file. Your resignation letter will be among the first
documents looked at when a prospective future employer calls to confirm references
or if you ever reapply.
Preserve Your Good Character & Reputation
Resigning the wrong way will "burn bridges" and will likely come back to haunt
you in the future. It will most certainly lead to bad feelings between you and
your employer, a bad reputation and even a bad reference.
Resigning the
right way will contribute to your goodwill and continued success in your career
and personal development. You will also be able to maintain good links with your
colleagues - who may have a direct or indirect impact on your future career progress.
Considerations Before Resigning
Carefully clear your mind and have
a reality check. Evaluate all your reasons for resigning before you decide conclusively.
After you make up your mind, be consistent and stick to it. Here are a few points
to consider:
- How will you handle a counter offer? Don't resign
in order to leverage or negotiate a counter offer. It's unprofessional. Once you
resign, your loyalty to your employer is in question. If you are a valued employee,
you may be given a counter offer - but this may be just a way to keep you longer
until a replacement is found. Also, if you've already accepted an offer with a
new employer, retracting that offer may have a negative impact on your integrity.
- Are you aware of company exit policy? Some companies will ask you
to leave immediately once you give your resignation. This could be a problem if
you were unable to pick up your personal belongings or documents from your work
area or clean up your personal files from your computer. Find out how previous
resignations were handled and don't give advanced notice of your impending resignation.
- Are you aware of company compensation policy? You may automatically
forfeit specific benefits when you resign. You may loose upcoming bonuses, severance
pay, holiday entitlements, insurance benefits, retirement accounts, and company
stock contributions. Study all contracts you have signed to fully understand this.
- Are you leaving for reasons that might require legal counsel? If
so, then consult an attorney before you submit a resignation or sign any documents.
Issues involving discrimination, harassment, safety and fraud is better handled
with the advice of an attorney
The Resignation Letter
A good resignation letter can be short and concise, however, an exceptional
letter of resignation accomplishes much more in that it leaves your current employer
with a positive feeling about you and establishes a basis for positive references
in the future. Here are the points to consider for your resignation letter:
- Don't get personal or write personal remarks about your life
and feelings in your resignation letter.
- If you are leaving on
bad terms, resist writing negative comments or complaints about the company, the
job or the employees in your letter of resignation.
- Clearly state
that you are resigning and the effective resignation date.
- Indicate
that you regret leaving and mention positive things about your experience, your
colleagues, your work and your company.
- Express enthusiasm and
appreciation for the job and responsibility you've held and the experience/knowledge
you've gained.
- Emphasize and highlight your most important contributions
to the company.
The Resignation Meeting
During
your resignation meeting, you should be prepared for any kind of reaction, ranging
from congratulatory handshakes to guilt trips to out-and-out confrontational anger.
Your plan is to maintain composure, be courteous and professional at all times.
Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Think ahead what you
are going to say and stay with it - don't get derailed. Your manager might want
more details but at this stage you want to keep it to the point.
- Focus
on the positives no matter how satisfying it may seem to "unload." Only discuss
the positives regarding the company, the co-workers and the job. Resist speaking
anything negative - it simply will not do any good and it may come back to haunt
you.
- Stay on track. If you are given a counter offer, simply say,
"I am not here to get a counter offer - I have an opportunity that I can't pass
up."
- End your meeting on a good note and show that you will be
fully cooperative with everyone until your last day and hand over your resignation
letter enclosed in an envelope.
Leaving On A Positive
Note
Don't underestimate the importance of your performance during your
last few weeks. It's tempting to relax and release but this is not a good idea
as your professional reputation is at stake. Here are a few points to think about:
