Quitting your job is something everyone goes through, often several times in their life. But how do you go about quitting your job without burning bridges? Take a look through our top tips on how to quit your job the right way to maintain positive relationships with your employer.
Make Sure You Really Want to Quit
The first and most important thing to consider when you are thinking about quitting your job is whether you actually want to quit. Instead of leaving the job, are there any things that could be changed or improved in your current job that would make you willing to stay? For example, if you are quitting your job because you have to be home early for childcare each day you could try asking your employer for more flexible hours, or see if they are able to help you to arrange or pay for childcare so that you can continue to work. Lots of employers are willing to put in the effort to retain staff so it is always worth asking if there is a simple solution that would help you be able to keep your job.
Think about your options
If you have another job offer, you should take time to consider the pros and cons of the new job and your current job. Think things through carefully and try to determine which job will be best for you, including factors such as the working environment, the pay, any bonuses or company benefits and any career advancement opportunities. If you don’t have another job lined up, make sure you are in a financially stable enough position to be able to live comfortably for several months after your last paycheck comes through as it can take several months to find and start a new job.
Write your resignation email
Once you’ve decided to officially quit your job, the next step in the process is to write your resignation email. A great resignation email should be short and polite, used to let your employer know that you are leaving, the last day you will be working and thank them for the opportunity to work at the company. This is not the place to air any grievances you may have, and unless you have a very good reason for doing so, it is not generally recommended to submit any complaints to your employer in the resignation process. This is because leaving on good terms is extremely important and can help you out significantly if you are ever in need of a reference for another job in the future.
Give a sufficient notice period
It is important when you quit your job that wherever you can, you give your employer adequate notice of termination of employment. Your notice period is usually two weeks, but this can vary depending on the job and your length of time at the company. Your official notice period will be outlined in your contract, so make sure to check it properly so that you are still within the boundaries of your contract. If you’re able to, let your employer know as soon as you know when you will be leaving to give them time to find and train a replacement. If you are able and willing, you may want to offer to train your replacement yourself so that the transfer will be as stress-free as possible for your employer, but this is up to you.
Talk to your employer
When you are leaving your job, make sure to have a conversation with your employer before sending your resignation email. You do not need to tell them why you are leaving and try to make the conversation as positive as possible. You can also take this opportunity to ask your boss for a letter of recommendation. This is an important step in any resignation process as it can help you to get another job in the future. It is well worth collecting a letter of recommendation from every job you have so that you can have a better chance of receiving more job offers in future.
Final steps
The final steps are to finalise the details of your departure by confirming that your boss knows the date of your last day of work. You can also offer to prepare a handover manual to whoever will be taking over your job when you leave, or even offer to stay on for a little while longer and train your replacement yourself. On your last day, make sure to take anything important from your work computer onto a hard drive or your own personal computer, such as personal details or samples of work that could be added to your portfolio. Take any personal belongings from the office and be sure to empty out your desk and give back any keys or office access you may have.