As a youth no one taught me about burning bridges. Yet it's not until later in life, some of us understand how small the world is. Someone who may have worked with you at one company can suddenly be responsible for your promotion or whether you get hired at another company. My point? Even if you are working for a jerk (and I have worked for a couple) it's in your best interest to leave the organization with grace and style--irrelevant of the circumstances.
When you part ways, it can be similar to a relationship breaking up - nasty and acrimonious or mutual and dignified. What is the best way to resign when you are leaving a job of your own volition?
No one likes getting "dumped." And that is exactly how your boss may feel. It is a natural feeling for any boss to feel that they have been "betrayed" by their employee. The supervisor may feel your actions are "treachery" by interviewing with another organization and accepting an offer of employment. When a manager brings you into an organization and invests his time and energy in training you and watching you grow professionally; the manager may have a "maternal/paternal" feeling for their "protégé."
Many bosses may take a defensive posture and feel that you have not given them the same level of commitment or opportunity that they have given to you. The employer may also experience a psychological and emotional "devastation" that may create a "swirl of uncertainty that by leaving you are jeopardizing their business." However, the manager will not communicate his personal concerns. Generally the manager will cover up his immediate concerns and persuade you into believing you have made a terrible mistake in your career.
At the point of resignation, generally the manager is so caught up in the "total disruption" your departure will create, that they can not/will not be empathetic to your needs. The manager will not be "generous" in terms of thinking about you and what is best for your career.
Do not tell your boss, anyone you work with, any professional where you are going. The only person who should know your plans is your family. As Shakespeare said, "The common curse of mankind, folly and ignorance." Another favorite quote, "discretion is the better part of valor." Learn by other's mistakes-learn by paying attention to what history teaches us.
Never assume that you know exactly how anyone will or will not behave. Prudence is a wiser path.
The manager will only be thinking about what is best for his business. Based on your relationship, tenure, level of success at the organization, the manager's focus will be how your departure will impact his business. In another section we review counteroffers, why the manager may present a counter-offer, and how you can damage or destroy your career by giving the manager the opportunity to even present a counter offer.
The manager may feel that your resignation is a statement that communicates, "You personally and/or professionally do not respect him, that you have an issue with his management style, that you are more talented than he is, etc., etc., etc."
There are many reasons to stay on good terms with a former employer. More importantly - it is in your best interest to try very hard to not burn bridges - because you never know where your career will lead you.
The way the resignation is received depends almost entirely on the personality of your boss and on the policies of the company. I've seen the most gracious and polite people ushered right out the door, and I've seen companies ask the employee to stick around and train his replacement.
The best way to judge what's going to happen is the look at how the manager treated other employees who resigned.
1. LEAVE ON GOOD TERMS
It can be tempting to liberate pent-up hostilities and frustrations you may have built up over the years when you realize you are free from a job. But it's not wise to do so.
Transitions are important. Your future career is affected not only by how professionally you tender your resignation but how you conduct yourself afterwards. There is a right way and a wrong way to resign. The right way transforms a job change into a smart strategic career transition. The wrong way may negatively affect an otherwise promising career. Remember, in the highly competitive job market, a solid list of work references is often the deciding factor when landing the next job.
2. GIVE SUFFICIENT NOTICE
Always give sufficient notice to your present employer. Two weeks is standard, although in certain circumstances, such as completing an important project that you're leading -- a month's notice may be more appropriate. A new employer realizes that you have to give sufficient notice to your present employer. Even if your present employer has a policy of asking job changers to leave immediately upon giving notice, you should still give two weeks. It's a professional obligation to give sufficient notice when you're making a change in employers.
3. MAKE A GOOD LAST IMPRESSION
Although those last few weeks on the job may not be the most pleasant, it is important that you continue to perform your job duties in a professional manner until the last minute. Those days will seem interminably long as you anticipate starting your new job, but it is important to leave a lasting good impression with your employer.
Remain on good terms with your co-workers as well. Who knows somewhere down life's road a former colleague might become your new boss or end up working with you again. It's a good rule of thumb never to take anything or anyone for granted. If you are staying in the same industry, it is likely that you will cross paths with a number of former colleagues over the years. If you don't work directly with them, you will likely cross their paths at conferences or on professional committees. Who knows when you will need their support!
4. TRAIN YOUR REPLACEMENT
If your present employer wants you to train your replacement, be amenable to the idea. Make your replacement's transition as easy as you hope yours will be on the new job. Avoid passing on company gossip to your replacement or "badmouthing" your boss and/or your co-workers. Why set someone up for a negative experience by instilling the prejudices you have acquired. That doesn't serve anyone.
Keep a professional attitude at all times, no matter how tense or difficult your last weeks prove to be. Your goal should be to leave with as much grace and dignity as possible. You want to be remembered as the consummate professional.
5. STAY COOL
Outstanding employees are rare commodities. Your professional attitude and composure under arduous circumstances communicate volumes about your level of professionalism.
Who knows how many times in your life you will change jobs. A reputation is something that you must work hard to build for many reasons. A former boss or co-worker can just as easily become your future boss.
A recommendation by someone who knows you by reputation can open a coveted "door" to a new company as you work your way up the career ladder.
Everyone has good and bad days. Practice being even tempered, and do not react to emotionally charged situations. Don't resign in a fit of anger. Think things through. Resign like a professional.
6. THE ART OF THE RESIGNATION LETTER
Never resign one job until you have a written offer from the new employer. It is rare, but verbal offers have been withdrawn. Additionally, it is critical the written offer is consistent with the verbal offer. You should not resign and accept a new position until your written offer reflects the verbal offer.
Your resignation letter should simply state the following, "I, John Doe, hereby resign my position as manager of ABC Company effective January 1, 2005" Sincerely, John Doe. Date the letter today.
Do not thank the company in your letter - do not complain, do not recount your accomplishments. Keep your resignation letter short and sweet - if you have anything else you want to say - such as, to thank a mentor, or share with co-workers how much you enjoyed working with them, etc., say it with your mouth, not with a pen.
Do not tell your employer where you are going! Under no circumstances should you share that information with your boss or anyone else in the company---until you are at your new job. Remember you never know what someone will or will not do. It's rare, but the old employer may try to hurt the person's new job or hurt their career in some manner. It's best not to leave anything to chance!
It's best said by Shakespeare, "we know what we are, but know not what we may be." Hamlet, Act IV.
Copyright 2009 Ev Nucci
ev-nucci
ev nucci
entrepreneurauthorcareer
Posts
