When it comes to leaving your job, however tempting the one-finger salute or
the verbal equivalent may be, you should never let your emotions get the better
of you, writes John Eccleston.
"Don’t wait until you’re hopping mad to resign. Do it while you’re
strong. And never express your anger to your boss, bide your time and keep it
professional," advises occupational psychologist Colin Selby.
You may have landed the job of your dreams, but you never know when your
career may bring you into contact with your former employers again. For
instance, at some point they could be a potential client.
Do
– Tell your immediate boss informally, face to face, before handing in a
formal letter
– Give constructive criticism if necessary but avoid blatant insults
– Be prepared to consider a counter offer from your employer
Don’t
– Hand in your notice when you are feeling angry
– Focus solely on negative points
– Feel obliged to give specific reasons for your resignation
What if my employer tries to tempt me to stay?
If you are offered a pay rise equal to or above your new job offer, consider
why it took the threat of leaving to bring it about.
Your boss may promise to remedy any problems within the company which have
influenced your decision, but can you be sure they will be dealt with
effectively?
If you do decide to stay after all, remember that your boss may see you as
‘the one who nearly left’ and you may find yourself having to prove your
commitment to the organisation.
By staying, you will in turn have to turn down a job you have accepted –
this will could work against you if you deal with your would-be employer in the
future.
What should I say in my letter of resignation?
Your letter is a vital part of your resignation but should not be used to
air your grievances. Says Selby: ‘Hold fire before saying something you might
regret. Write your letter and then sleep on it and return to it in the morning.
You can then re-write with a clear head.’
The letter needs to include only the basic details of your resignation – the
position from which you are resigning and your intended leaving date.
If you wish to add more, keep it positive and resist the temptation to get
personal. If you haven’t had the chance to sit down with your employer, you
could include constructive criticism in your letter to explain your reasons for
leaving, but it may be worth asking a respected colleague to read it over first.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to include other elements such
as a waiver of your notice period. For example, if your contract calls for you
to work a month’s notice, but your new employer wants you to start straight
away, include a paragraph stating:
‘I am aware that my contract demands a notice period of (x) months, but I am
required to join my new employer as soon as possible. If you could therefore
waive my notice period, I would be happy to help hand over responsibilities to
my replacement.’
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If you want to maintain good relations with your former employer, you can
also tell them how you enjoyed your time working with them – but this is
entirely your choice.
With thanks to totaljobs.com
