Time to resign? Do it with style and professionalism

You don’t just wake up one day and decide to turn in your resignation. You have likely been plotting your escape for quite some time. However, departures can be tricky business. Here are 10 steps to ensure that you make a graceful exit as you head out the door for the very last time.

1. It’s business, so don’t get personal.

Your employer will likely be interested in why you are making a change. Don’t get personal or use this as a platform to air your frustrations. Offer sincere appreciation for what you have learned in this position and share a simple explanation of why you believe this new position will help you grow professionally.

2. Be clear in your intent to leave.

Don’t go in to give notice only to be swayed into staying.  Once you have one foot out the door, it is very unlikely that you will ever find yourself fully engaged in an organization. In other words, this is not the time to negotiate a raise or create a better work situation.

3. Give yourself permission to grieve.

Even when we initiate the change, it is never easy to quit a job. There is always a sense of loss that comes with leaving — even when the job has become downright miserable! Trust that it is completely normal to experience a deep sense of sadness as you hand off responsibilities and pack your belongings.

4. Be a transition partner.

Offer to meet with your supervisor to create a transition plan. You may even determine together the appropriate amount of notice to give. Be willing to train your replacement and assist with re-assigning tasks to other team members. Stay energized and maintain a high level of commitment to the organization and to your team throughout the resignation process.

5. Have a position or a plan.

While everyone’s situation is a bit different, it is often advisable to give notice once you have a new position lined up. If you can afford to take time off, you at least want to have a job search plan in place. This includes polishing up your resume, updating your online profile, and creating a support network.

What is a reasonable amount of time to land a new position? A good rule of thumb is to allow one month of search time for every $10k in earnings. In other words, it can take 10 months or longer to find a position that pays $100k. If you cannot afford to be out of work, research and understand the market before turning in your resignation letter.

5.  Collect work examples and resources.

Prior to giving notice, collect non-proprietary work examples that you can use to showcase your accomplishments to future employers. Forward documents to your personal email and download them to your home computer. Many employers will prevent access to your business computer once you turn in notice. 

Keep in mind that relationships are key resources. Gather the contact information of the people you hope to stay in touch with after you leave. LinkedIn can be a great way to stay in touch, but it often makes sense to collect personal contact information as well.

6. Secure professional allies.

This is a perfect time to write unsolicited online recommendations for colleagues and supervisors. Do this without expecting anything in return. However, you also want to request a few online recommendations prior to giving notice.

In terms of professional references, identify individuals who will speak to the quality of your work and who will maintain confidentiality during your search process. Many organizations do not allow supervisors to act as professional references; however, former supervisors may be able and willing to be personal references for you.

7.  Don’t encourage a mass exodus.

It seems that giving notice can be contagious. When one person leaves an organization, others may follow suit.  That is fine, but don’t feed into the process.  Keep your plans to yourself and don’t talk up the new gig. Maintain a professional relationship with your current employer and focus on the positives of the experience.

8.  Practice your reason-for-leaving statement.

Think through and practice your reason-for-leaving statement so that you don’t over-share or let unfinished emotional issues come oozing out. Share your professional “reason for leaving” with fellow colleagues, networking contacts, and potential employers. Keep your message consistent so that everyone is hearing the same story.

9.  Focus on the positives, and don’t ignore the negatives.

We learn and grow in every position. Take time to figure out what you gained in terms of experience, new skills, and increased value in the marketplace.  Show gratitude and offer thanks to the colleagues who supported you along the way.

It is also important to process what did not work well for you in this position. What do you want to avoid in the future? Were there any red flags that you ignored when accepting this position? The grass can only greener in the next situation if we are clear about what we want and need in order to be successful.

10.   Start the new job on the right foot.

Fresh starts can be exciting and challenging. Nerves are normal. You may find yourself wondering if you made the right decision. Trust yourself and dig in to the new position knowing that nothing is forever. You will learn and grow and move on to the next challenge when the time is right.

We no longer have forever jobs. The cycle of ending employment and beginning new opportunities is a constant for most professionals. Learning how to flow through this cycle with the utmost in professional panache is key to our long-term success.

Carrie Pinsky is a career counselor in private practice. Reach her at Pink Sky Career Counseling, 970-225-0772 or www.pink-sky.net.

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