Handing in your resignation may feel like a daunting task, regardless of the reason you’ve decided to leave your current position. Whether you are taking on new endeavors, your current position is no longer the right fit, or you are embarking on a sabbatical, it is important to leave respectfully and professionally, allowing your team to transition smoothly.
No matter your reason for resigning, let’s review 4 tips of resignation best practices.
- Speak to Your Manager
- Write a Two-Week Notice
- Answer Exit Interview Questions
- Maintain Professionalism
Speak to Your Manager
First and foremost, be sure to speak to your manager or supervisor in person vs. resigning via email or text. In this day and age of WFH, in-person may mean a Zoom or Teams meeting, so be sure to schedule a video meeting to discuss before handing in your written notice of resignation letter.
Since you have built a relationship with your manager, you owe them more than a quick email if you decide to resign from your job and share gratitude for the opportunity they have given you.
Additionally, be sure to tell your supervisor before you tell other members at the company or on your team. You do not want your boss finding out from someone else that you are quitting.
It is good professional conduct to speak to your manager to ensure that you leave on good terms and share feedback necessary for uninterrupted workflow.
Write a Two-Week Notice
As you may already know, giving your company a two-week notice before leaving your position is common courtesy and standard best practice.
By giving a two-week notice, you allow your manager to find a suitable replacement. Don’t leave your team hanging, and provide a well-thought-out notice of your resignation, with recommendations on who on the team can take over some of your tasks. This will give everyone some time to take over your deliverables without falling behind.
So, you might be asking, “What is the proper way to write a two-week notice?”
The following outlines the elements to include when writing a professional two-week notice.
First, begin by stating that you are resigning from your position. This statement should include the name of your position and the company you work for.
For example, “I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my position as XYZ Associate at Company X.”
Next, please state the date of your last day of work, whether it is two weeks from when you are writing the letter or list a specific date.
Although you do not have to explain why you are leaving your position, you should provide a statement of gratitude. This could be a sentence or two explaining what you learned in the position, how working at the company has provided you with an opportunity to grow, or gratitude for the personal connections you have made.
End your letter by offering any help while your company transitions. This may include recommending other employees for your position or offering to train whoever takes on the position next.
You should format your resignation letter in business letter format, with your name and contact information at the top, and maintain a positive tone overall.
Answer Exit Interview Questions
Your exit interview allows the company to understand why you are leaving your position and, if needed, improve other employees’ experiences in the future. Be honest and offer constructive feedback that the company can implement and grow.
Respond to exit interview questions respectfully and objectively. Think about how your answers can improve the culture or processes rather than focusing on personal experiences that may not be relevant.
Maintain Professionalism
Maintaining professionalism throughout your resignation process is key. It allows you to preserve the professional and personal relationships you cultivated and upholds your reputation, especially if you choose to remain in the same industry or seek references in the future.
Keep your high work ethic until your very last day of work. In other words, work as hard as you always have and do not use your resignation as an excuse to ease off. Your team is counting on you.
Conclusion
It is up to you to take charge of your career, growth, and success. This sometimes means resigning from your current position to pursue other opportunities.
Resigning from a position that no longer serves you should not be scary. It should be empowering. Follow the tips we presented in this article to ensure that you resign in a stress-free and professional manner!
If you are looking for new opportunities, check out our open jobs page. Wishing you the best in your next career move.
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