Resignation Tips and Sample Letter
Leaving a position requires proper attention to a fair number of working parts, and this can scale rather appreciably given the particular tier level at which the role is set. There are a number of actions you can take to make certain that your departure is as seamless and productive as possible for all involved parties.
Put together a plan of action
• Immediately prepare a resignation letter that can be sent via email to all necessary parties who may require this notification. Also make certain to construct a copy that can be tendered to management at a planned meeting.
• Schedule an appointment with your employer as soon as possible. It’s important that your supervisor is the first to know about your intentions rather than this information reaching them via a different route. There may be numerous possible unwanted implications if others on your team are made aware of your impending departure thus keep things secure until management is made aware.
• Make a list of all items that will need to be turned in and properly documented and to whom.
• Inventory all compensation/benefits/other components that will be due to you and what processes will be needed to ensure proper payment/transfer.
• Resign in person rather than via an electronic format. The exception would be if you are working remotely full-time or there is simply an untenable barrier to leaving in this manner.
Keep things direct and concise
• Don’t feel obligated to provide details about your next position. Indeed, certain less than scrupulous employers may take it upon themselves to try and make the waters murky if not outright sabotage your upcoming role thus keep this information secure.
• Outline achievements, experiences, and knowledge gained that you are thankful for having had the opportunity to absorb.
• Avoid negative comments of any type regarding the company, fellow employees, or your direct management. This is an overt red flag for many in hiring positions and should be avoided at all costs.
Anticipate a host of possible responses
Be courteous and respectful no matter what emotions may arise from the company’s side. Good employers will be sad to see you go but will be happy that you are moving to a role that offers opportunities and professional development they may not have the ability to provide at the current time.
Notice period
The two-week standard is generally accepted across companies and verticals as quite appropriate. However, for more senior level positions that require a great deal of transition activities it may be more fitting to offer a full month or another time frame that you deem suitable. The key is to make certain that you put forth a definitive final day of work and stay on that schedule.
Offer to assist as much as possible with the changeover
This is an important component of the process as it shows your willingness to go above and beyond what many others may deem appropriate given your short time remaining with the company. Employers will generally greatly appreciate the offer and it certainly will be remembered in the future when you may be seeking a reference or perhaps come into a situation where they may potentially be your supervisor once again at a different organization.
It may also be useful to put together a list of items you are currently working on or devise a basic training program that the company and the new employee who will take your position can utilize to optimize their ramp-up time and performance.
Exit interviews
• Avoid torching the landscape. Keep things professional and positive.
• Don’t sign anything that is not essential to your departure.
• Don’t feel obligated to attend this type of meeting if the relationship between you and the company/manager is beyond salvage.
Never accept a counteroffer
Doing so very rarely ends well. A more detailed explanation may be found here – Never Accept a Counteroffer. Save yourself the difficulties that will inevitably arise sooner or later and make a clean departure.
Sample Resignation Letter
<Your Name>
<Address if desired>
<Phone/email if desired>
<Date>
<Your Manager’s Name>
<Manager’s Title>
<Company>
<Company Address>
Dear ____________________,
Please accept this letter as my formal resignation as <Title> for <Company>. My final day of employment will be < specific Month, Day, Year>. This will provide you with <# weeks> to plan for my replacement.
<Paragraph or two regarding your time with the company, your appreciation for the opportunity, and what you have learned/gleaned from the experience.>
My decision is final thus there is no need to consider a counteroffer. I’m committed to providing a smooth changeover of responsibilities therefore let me know how I can assist.
Sincerely,
<Name>