Quitting a job is not as easy as it sounds. You are walking away from something you may have invested years in, and severing day to day ties with people who you may have spent more time with than you have your own family. However, we all have our reasons and sometimes it is just time to move on.
Why do people quit jobs? Here is an interesting article why on a survey that was done by The Harris Poll sheds some light on why. A few reasons are being underutilized, lack of training, poor communication / support from management in terms of career development on the job, lack of opportunities for promotion, or just not feeling challenged enough.
To be sure, some reasons people leave that weren’t mentioned are things like salary, having a bad boss, leaving to start a new business or maybe something going on in one’s personal life.
The best way to leave a job is tactfully. Although it may be tempting to go scorched earth and wipe the data server clean, lay out a big steamer on the boss’ desk, and announce “I quit! Peace, Out!” having come to work in a Kung Fu Panda costume.
And finally, don’t forget the Johnny Paycheck method:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRKTwh5ffH0
Honestly, there is something to be said about not burning bridges for sure. You may want a reference, or you could also travel in the same professional circles. As I mentioned in other articles, your reputation is one of the things you should safeguard like your life depends on it, because it does. One of my favorite quotes comes from Warren Buffett:
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”
So you are going to want to leave with class and your reputation intact. It can be done in several easy steps:
1) The resignation letter: How do you right a good resignation letter? Should it be personable? Reflective? Cold? Short and to the point? A resignation letter, like any breakup is going to be dictated by your relationship with your boss and his or her personality.
I have always tried to be reflective and gracious. I always make it a point to thank my employer for the opportunity to work there and grow professionally. You don’t need to lay it on thick or make up a bunch of bullshit. I think we all learn from every job, good or bad, and it is good to acknowledge personal growth.
Best to use the Ray Price method, sorry Johnny!
2) Answering the inevitable question that you will be asked: Why? This one requires some tact. If it is for professional reasons such as say, wanting a job in another industry, or a job with better benefits or opportunities for growth, I think it is ok to say that “this was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. It just felt like the best career move for me right now.”
If your employer wronged you somehow, now is not the time to bring up petty grievances. If you got marble cake for your birthday celebration and your favorite is carrot cake and your boss and co-workers knew that and you hate f’ing marble cake, it’s probably good to just bury that. Maybe consider therapy as well and an anger management class.
3) What if they counteroffer? Should you take it? I equate this with going to couples therapy after one spouse has said that they want a divorce. Your employer may not trust you to stay long term. Of course there is the free agency approach of trying to get an offer to get a bump in salary. Then again, you probably could have asked for a raise in the first place, which is more professional in my opinion. No, you’ve been caught now cheating on your employer with another employer, and I generally think it is good to go. If the other job was good enough that you sought it out and went through the interview process and got hired, something must have made you stray. A promotion or salary bump is nice, but things may be awkward, especially around the kids and the holidays.
4) How much notice should I give? The standard is 2 weeks. It is not uncommon for an employer to say “meh,” and let you go on the spot, so be prepared for that. If your position is one that it is going to take them awhile to fill or is very specialized, you may consider a longer lead time as a courtesy. Take the time to document your job, processes and whatever else may help the next hapless victim who fills your shoes.
5) And your co-workers? Whatever your reasons for leaving, don’t dish out dirt on your employer to them. After all, they have to work there. If you want to recruit them to come follow, well, many a pro revenge sub-redddit has been dedicated to that. I don’t know about that one, but I’ll leave you to your own judgment there. Again, I would just recommend being gracious in the remainder of your time there. Inevitably you will probably continue some of those relationships. It is very tempting to follow up with them and see how much the place went to hell after you left. Of course things could have improved substantially as well!
So hopefully, you are leaving on good terms. Off to greener pastures but with your professional reputation intact and your employer left in the dust to ask themselves afterwards on a lonely Friday night on their 2nd glass of wine, “wait, maybe it wasn’t (your name)’s fault for leaving. Maybe, (sniff) it’s me!” (Employer begins sobbing uncontrollably)