Our desire to continually better ourselves and give the best years to a career that will improve our lives can push us to want more out of our jobs. But the fear of quitting can be incredibly debilitating and daunting, especially if you like the people you work with.
So what happens if it all goes wrong? Is the grass really always greener on the other side? What happens if you don't make the impression your new employer believes you will? Will you be able to come back? Will you get a referenceve from your old employer then?
No matter the reason for you to leave your job, it is undoubtedly one of the single most stressful changes to undertake so, we've pulled together some of the best tips that will help you leave your job and still stay on good terms. Here’s what you need to know:
Tip #1: Accept you are leaving
It's important to acknowledge and accept that you have made the decision to leave your current job. And that means preparing yourself both mentally and emotionally for your departure.
Put it this way: you’ve decided to move on so it’s important that you understand what should be done and how it should be handled. And given that there are concrete reasons as to why you’ve decided to leave, one of the ways that can help you process your decision is by talking about it. So, be prepared to do so and go about it confidently.
If you’re on the fence and are unsure if you should take the leap, then here are 5 Clear Signs That Your Career Is Going Nowhere – if you’re nodding along to it as you read then perhaps it’s time. And when that time comes, speak to one of our recruiters to help you find your next career success.
Tip #2: Take the emotion out of your delivery
It is incredibly nerve-racking to resign from a job and typically, asking your boss for a meeting can be enough to signify that something is not right. That combined with the thought of walking into a room and delivering a message they may not want or expect to hear can make just about anyone anxious and nervous. But sometimes in life, you just need to take a deep breath, count to ten, put your best foot forward and deliver your intended message.
This will be hard but, try your best to take emotions out of the equation. Present it as it is and when in doubt, remember the reasons why you’ve committed to your departure and let that steer your path – just don’t bring your emotions to the cause.
Tip #3: Be honest and be polite
>It's true that there’s an art to delivering bad news. Now, we’re not saying you need to master this before putting it into practice so just take a moment to centre yourself and think of the methods of your delivery. Consider the language you'll use and the impacts that it may have. Think about the reasons why you're leaving, get comfortable with it and be ready to articulate your reasons as best you can.
Be honest with your reasons because the situation that you don't want to be in is the one where you get caught out later on. Remember, you don't have to please the crowd and, this is certainly not the time to start trying.
Tip #4: Remember that you’re leaving for your future
Whether you like it or not, most of us will need to work a fulltime job to keep up with the mundane bills we acquire day to day. Working for 40 hours a week and 47 weeks a year soon adds up. It's no wonder then that we all want to find a career that matches our ambitions, vision and work-life balance.
Answer this: what are your drivers? Is it a better work-life balance? More money? Better progression? Bigger commissions?
Take the time to really understand your answers to those questions and chances are, you'll be ready to explain that your future looks great to your boss.
Tip #5: Write your resignation & print it out before your meeting.
Many people enter these discussions without a letter in hand and, if we're being honest, resigning without a resignation letter is as crazy as it sounds. If you are serious about leaving then do it in the correct and appropriate fashion.
Not too sure how? It’s simple. Walk in the room, explain why you are leaving and deliver the letter. The letter finalises things and from your employer’s perspective, seeing it in writing will inhibit them from attempting to argue with you or forming a counter offer.
Besides that, writing your letter will also give you time to formulate the flow of the conversation and help you find the best way to articulate your thoughts which will allow you to really own your resignation face to face.
Tip #6: Set the terms of your departure
Make sure you know the terms of your contract and double check your notice period. Advise your employer when you hand your resignation letter in exactly how you plan to spend your notice period, something like this should work:
“I have a 4-week notice period. I've thought hard about how I can reduce the workload for you and make this transition easier for the team so, I've come up with a plan for the next four weeks. I've written up all my standard operating procedures and have even produced some training guides for you. I am more than happy to go over this with you after this meeting.”
Tip #7: Be aware of emotional baggage from your employer
Leaving a workplace will inevitably bring up emotions for you, your employers and your wider team. So it’s important that you prepare yourself and not be swayed by any means if you've decided to leave.
Be on the lookout for bosses and employers that may even throw some emotional baggage at you. And if you see such situation about to unfold, simply make yourself known that you don't share the same views and that your mind is made up but, you are looking forward to delivering all your objectives before you leave.
Tip #8: When presented with a counteroffer, consider twice before deciding
>Did you know that over 70% of all people who have accepted counteroffers leave within 6 months? Because despite the better benefits on offer, there's usually a bigger underlying reason that has inspired and caused the initial decision.
If you were just after a pay rise then yes, a counteroffer would be a real possibility for you to consider but think about how your reputation will hold with your new potential employer.
Tip #9: Maintain existing relationships
No one has ever said that you have to lose contact with your old colleagues when you leave. If you're genuinely close with each other, keeping your friendship alive outside of work shouldn't be hard.
And equally on the same note, understand that you go to work, to work - not to be liked! If you ever worry about making new friends just know that being your friendly self and using your manners will go a long way to helping you build a new friendship group. If you need some quick refresher then here's How to Deal With Your First Day Nerves and here's How to Earn Respect In the Workplace.
Read 7 Ways You Can Improve Workplace Culture.
