Switching jobs? Be Sure to Say Goodbye the Right Way. So that amazing new job finally came through? Ah, there’s so much to look forward to as you reflect on what it took to get where you are. Then it occurs to you that you must submit a resignation to your current employer. You know you’re not going to be able to fully enjoy this major life’s change until you do the right thing: part ways with your current employer with style and grace.
Although you won’t be able to ease the awkwardness totally, if you’ve built a solid rapport with your current employer, you can professionally submit your resignation with not burning any bridges or leaving hard feelings behind.
You’ll want to prepare a resignation letter. In many ways, it’s compiled just as a professional resume is. You want to reiterate the accomplishments made during your employment, point out the experiences you’ve gained as well as the appreciation for the opportunity. Most employers appreciate thirty days and in fact, if you signed a contract with your employer, it may be that you agreed to at least a thirty day notice when you were hired. It’s important to honor that contract and even if it’s not part of a contract, it’s always a good idea to allow thirty days when possible. At the very least, two weeks should be given.
Your letter should be addressed to your current manager or supervisor and should also include the date of your last day. Reiterate your appreciation for the job and briefly explain your reasons. It’s a fine line with the explanations, though. You don’t want to justify your reasons, but you do want to extend the courtesy of a brief explanation. Something along the lines of, “It was with great hesitance I decided to accept the offer. This opportunity affords me more time with the family, travel around the world, advancement opportunities…” and leave it at that. You’ll have plenty of time to discuss anything you wish to reveal when you meet with your employer in person.
Once you’re face to face with your current boss, the last thing you want to do is put him on the defense. Now is simply not the time to remind him that the raise that was promised and never came through might would have kept you onboard. Instead, be gracious and respectful. If he asks if it’s about the raise that never came through or any other issues that he’s wondering about, a simple, “That might have been a small deciding factor, but it was a combination of reasons why this move is just a better move both for me and my family.”
Be sure to mention something along the lines of, “The past five years with your guidance has made me a far better….engineer, doctor, attorney, beautician….”. You never know when you might be approaching him again for a job. Burning bridges we think we’ll never cross again never proves beneficial for us.
Finally, be sure to express your intent on providing any assistance to the one who’s taking your place before your last day. If possible and if for no other reason of it being good karma, offer your replacement your email address should questions come up over the next few weeks as he’s learning to fill your shoes.
