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4 Tips for Resignation Best Practices

Tuesday, August 17th, 2021|

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.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our 591st a.blog.

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5 Tips for Resignation Best Practices

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017|

Changing jobs every few years is the new norm according to a report published by JobVite which says 34% of all job seekers have reported changing jobs after 1-5 years, and that 74% of employees are open to a new job, despite the fact that they are satisfied with their current one.

Chances are you too could be completing new negotiations, accepting a new job offer, maybe even moving across the country for a new opportunity. Before you can start your new role though, you have to resign from your current one. Not as easy a task as it may seem. For some, the resignation meeting can be a daunting process.

Utilizing our 20+ years of experience working with talent through every stage of a job search from resume to interview to offer and acceptance, our a.team has also helped many jobseekers through the resignation process with the following tips:

1. Speak to your manager. Make an appointment for an in-person meeting and have your resignation letter prepared to share. Do not resign via email, text, phone or social media. Thank them for the opportunity and the experience you’ve gained. Even if it wasn’t the ideal role, every role is a learning opportunity. Discuss with your boss how best to tell the team.

2. Give notice and offer a plan for your last two weeks. Share a plan for a smooth transition with your manager. Offer to create project tasks and folders and train others to ensure a smooth transfer of knowledge and responsibilities. If your role is external facing, map out a plan with your manager for informing clients and how to handle their account going forth.

3. Create an opportunity for a co-worker. Your departure will create an opening on the team. Often times, this can be the perfect opportunity for another co-worker to be promoted into your role, take on additional responsibilities, and grow in their own career. If such a person exists on your team or in your department, share the recommendation with your boss. This will not only create an opportunity for your co-worker to grow, it will also leave your manager with the peace of mind that someone else can step right in.

4. Remain professional. Stay professional, calm, and positive even if your current role wasn’t the ideal career move, or if your manager’s response to your resignation news is less than positive. Keep on track with your commitments throughout the duration of your stay.

5.Know your motivation for leaving. It’s not always about money. Whether it was the location, salary, team, boss, responsibilities, lack of challenge or simply that you are ready for something new, there is a reason you found a new position. Identifying your real motivations will enable you to know what to do if you encounter a counter offer.

It’s not uncommon to cross paths with former co-workers or employers in the future. The ideal scenario is to keep the lines of communication open and professional. You’ll never know when you’ll need a letter of recommendation, or the former employer becomes a client. Respect and professionalism are the best policies.

If you need help in your next job search, please connect with the a.team. We are celebrating 20+ years in staffing and recruitment of creative professionals. Over the years, we’ve learned a thing or two that we’d like to share with you. We hope you enjoy the 439th issue of our weekly a.blog.

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Resignation Best Practices

Wednesday, May 4th, 2016|

A few times in one’s career, it may be necessary to write a resignation letter. Yet the resignation process can be intimidating, or even disheartening. How do you tell your employer goodbye and stay on good terms, especially if you’ve worked for them for a long time?

1. First off, figure out why you want to leave before you officially resign. No matter if it’s the salary, the commute, the team you work with, your manager, your responsibilities, a lack of creative challenge, or the desire to strike out on your own as a freelancer or entrepreneur, you sought after a new position for a reason. Be clear with yourself –it’s not always about a salary! Know what’s important before accepting any offer, as you might realize that your current position is still better than a new job for the interim.

2. Schedule a time to speak with your manager. Set up a resignation meeting with your current employer. Present your resignation letter which states your last date and reason for leaving. Wish your manager and the company continued success in the future.

3. Plan your exit strategy. Prepare your exit strategy before meeting with your manager. Create a plan for all the items you are currently handling. Provide a list of all assets, passwords, and works in progress. Have a succession plan — your exit can provide a great step up for someone else on your team. Reassure your manager that while you will no longer be employed, you want to begin the handover process as soon as possible. Offer your cooperation on training or documentation for ongoing projects or projected plans. Once you know what needs to be done before you leave, continue working as normal. Although you might feel “senioritis” at your job, don’t change your work ethic!

4. A word on reactions… While many employers will act respectfully upon hearing a resignation, some may not. However they react, you should remain calm and professional. By being prepared for your exit, you can help alleviate some of the stress your manager may be feeling.

5. Don’t accept a counteroffer. If the reasons you stated in point #1 are valid, then accepting a counteroffer doesn’t make sense. Not only does your employer know you’ve been looking to make a move from your current position, but they may think you only wanted more money. And if there are other things you’re unhappy about in your position, like the team or the responsibility, those won’t change even if your salary is higher. Your decision should be final, so don’t leave them room to talk you out of it!

Before deciding to make a move, be certain of your own motivation and opportunities for growth. Once you are certain, it will become easier to plan for your resignation professionally.

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5 Surefire Signs It’s Time to Find New Job Opportunities

Thursday, August 20th, 2015|

Quitting your job is a scary prospect — even if the economy is slowly but surely turning itself around, there’s never a guarantee that you will be able to find another position. Nevertheless, if you feel a shudder when you get to work, it’s unlikely you’ll regret quitting for something better. Here are five ways to evaluate whether it’s time to leave your current job for new horizons.

1. You dread going to work. You wake up in the morning and are filled with impending doom. You dream of quitting. You consider using up your sick time to stay home because you don’t want to go to work. Life’s too short — it’s time to start looking for a new job!

2. You know more than your supervisor. You want to feel good about the decisions being made at your company. If you feel frustrated that the leadership at your job is making poor choices, it could affect your job performance. Stay ahead of the curve and search for a new role.

3. You don’t know what’s happening. Are you the last to hear about major changes or events at work? Maybe you’re left out of important meetings or don’t know about big projects. Your bosses may only see you as a desk warmer rather than a valuable team member. Look for a place where they will appreciate your unique skills and insight.

4. You’ve lost that loving feeling. Even if you enjoy your boss, co-workers, and Friday happy hours with everyone, it’s time to move on if you have stopped caring about the work. Passion, especially in creative fields, is a key ingredient to success. A lack of enthusiasm won’t serve you or the work-family you love — but a new career move will invigorate your spirits.

5. You are not learning anything new. If you think you’ll spend the next five years doing the same thing, you’re doing yourself a disservice by staying in the same role. Challenge yourself to embolden your creativity and look for roles that will stimulate.

After evaluating, if you feel like the relationships you’ve built at your job are great or the rewards are significant, stay the course. However, if you dream of other opportunities for growth or feel a deep pit in your stomach thinking about your job, consider freelancing and searching for other roles. If you do choose to leave, don’t burn bridges. Just explain you want to pursue another opportunity, then leave on friendly terms. And remember — if you decide to look for a new role, Artisan Creative can help place you in your dream job!

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Your Last Word: Tips for a Successful Resignation

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013|

You did it! You landed a new role and get to move forward in your career and reach new goals. It’s an exciting time and you deserve to enjoy it. Don’t spoil it by making a mistake on the way out the door:

Tell your manager. In-person, not via email, phone, or social media. Make an appointment and plan what you will say. Express appreciation for the experience you gained in your position. Even if it wasn’t a good fit, you learned something. Say something nice. And don’t tell anyone else first.
Give at least 2 weeks’ notice. If you need a break before starting at your new job, negotiate your start date rather than trying to shorten your stay at your current job. Some companies may ask you to leave right away, but most would prefer an easier transition.
Keep the details to yourself. You can tell your colleagues all about your new job after you start and your relationship has changed. Your departure is probably causing enough disruption to your co-workers. Save your social media announcement for your first day of work.
Be positive. Not as easy as it sounds, especially if you have been unhappy in your current role. Choose not to talk about the negatives and stick to what you gained and hopes for the future.

The temptation to “shake the dust of this crummy little town” off your feet can be great, but remember you are going to get to “see the world.” In just a couple of weeks, it will indeed be a wonderful life.

Wendy Stackhouse for Artisan Creative

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The Do’s and Don’ts of Asking for a Raise

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012|

We could all use more money. And if you have been earning the same salary for a long period of time, you might be thinking about asking for a bump. Here are some tips on what to do – and what not to do – when you decide it’s time for a raise:

Do:

Research the current salary range for your role. Glassdoor or PayScale are great resources for this information. They will give you a better idea of where you are in comparison to your peers in the field and where you can expect to be now (and in the future).
Think about the timing. If your employer is currently downsizing or doing a reorganization, they might not have the ability to give anyone a raise right now. Bide your time.
Make an appointment. Talking about a raise shouldn’t be done on the fly.
Prepare. This meeting is a lot like a final job interview. Make a list of your accomplishments, starting with the most recent and going back. This is an opportunity to sell yourself when they already know what you can do.
Plan for a “No” Figure out what you will do if they turn you down before you go in. Think about other alternatives to a raise that could make you happier – like more vacation or personal time.

Don’ts

Send an email asking for a raise. Face-to-face is the only way to go.
Maintain a sense of entitlement. Be sure of yourself, not of the outcome.
Talk about personal reasons for needing a raise. Keep the reasons in your meeting to why you deserve a raise and how much value you bring to the table.
Get angry, yell or cry if you hear “No” First, it won’t work. And second, they might decide you’re not worth keeping at all.
Use another employee’s salary as part of your argument for a raise. Of course, if you feel you are being discriminated against because of age, gender or are in another protected class, you might want to get some professional advice – as you might have an actual case.
Threaten to quit if you don’t get a raise. You could very well find yourself without any pay at all. If you decide or have already decided that you will leave if they turn you down, start the job search process calmly following this meeting.
Over-do-it on the presentation. Keep it simple.

Money is definitely a part of the work/life balance equation, but it’s not the only one. Make sure you consider how much you want to keep your job and how happy you are with your colleagues and manager. And if you think you deserve a raise, go for it!

Wendy Stackhouse for Artisan Creative

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Tips for a Successful Resignation Meeting

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012|

The negotiations are complete, a new job offer has been made, you’ve formally accepted the position and now you just have to turn in your notice. Easy, right?

For some job seekers who are currently working, the resignation meeting can be a daunting process…

How do you say “good-bye” to your current employer, while maintaining good rapport for the future?
If you’ve been working for your employer a long time, how do you overcome the nerves that arise at the thought of leaving the stability you’ve enjoyed for the great unknown?
If you’re presented with a counteroffer, do you take it?

Working with talent from resume to interview to offer and beyond, our recruiters have helped many job seekers through the resignation process with the following tips:

Before you ever resign – figure out why you want to leave. Whether it’s the location, salary, team, boss, responsibilities, lack of challenge or simply that you’re ready for something new, there is a reason you want to find a new position. Identify your real motivations for leaving and concentrate only on opportunities that will offer you what you seek. When you finally do accept that new position, there should be no question in your mind that this really is the best opportunity for you at this time.
Never accept a counteroffer; you only put yourself at a disadvantage. By starting the resignation process with your current employer and accepting more money to stay, your employer still learns that you are unhappy in your position. If salary wasn’t your main reason for wanting to leave, then many (if not all) of the other reasons you wanted to leave still haven’t changed. And don’t be surprised if they question your loyalty when you’re up for awards, honors, new clients, responsibilities or promotions. Employers could go so far as to use a counteroffer to buy them time to find your replacement, ultimately replacing you (and leaving you without another job to go to).
Always start a resignation meeting with a matter-of-fact (not apologetic) letter. It could simply state: “Dear ____, The purposed of this letter is to inform you that as of (date), I will no longer be employed with (company). I wish you continued success in future. Kindest, ________”
Upon presenting your resignation letter, reiterate that you are leaving and assume next steps. Explain the truth in a way that communicates respect for all parties and assumes the next logical step is your handover. Let them know that as of a certain date you will no longer be employed and wanted to start the turnover / handover process as soon as possible. By asking for details to start this process, you leave them less room for trying to convince you to stay or offering you something else to keep you happy. Your decision seems more final.
No matter how your employer reacts to the news, stay calm and professional. Though employment laws differ in every state, unless you feel comfortable or have a binding non-compete to honor, you do not have to disclose why you are leaving or the new company who has hired you. If your employer continues to insist, you need only state that you choose not to discuss your reasons for leaving but focus on how you can help the company before your departure.
Before sharing your departure with colleagues, ensure you have discussed how it will be addressed. Will you announce it? Will the company? Will it be done in writing or verbally? This step further conveys your respect for your employer/manager as well as solidifies the finality of your turnover.
Between the time of your resignation and departure, don’t change your work ethic. While it might be tempting to come in late, leave early, leave things unfinished or not work as hard, don’t do anything that might change the way your counterparts view you and your work. Burning bridges never works!

Most of all, remember that you are in control of your career – not your employer! Your new opportunity will bring with it great things. The resignation meeting is just one small thing to do before you get there.

Good luck!

Jess Bedford for Artisan Creative

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Got a Great Offer? What NOT to do Next!

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012|

I was just reading an article about a journalism student who landed his dream job – and got fired before he started. Ouch! I’m sure this kind of thing doesn’t happen often, but with everyone – and I mean everyone – on social media, these unfortunate events could easily become commonplace. Don’t let it be you in the news!

We’ve talked on the Artisan Blog about how to use social media, especially LinkedIn, to help you land a perfect role and also given you some warnings about what to post about your personal life as well as how to keep the personal and professional separate.

But securing a new job is both! Great news for your friends and family and great for your professional pages and profiles!

Here are just a few things to think about before post your big news:

Have you signed the offer/contract? Nothing is written in stone until it’s written in stone. Until you have the papers in hand, keep your great news to yourself and your immediate family.
Have you asked if it’s okay? Although your new employer might be thrilled about hiring you, they may not want you to announce it. They might want to do it themselves beforehand.
Are you on probation? Many companies hire you but aren’t truly committed until you’ve been on staff for 60 or even 90 days. During that period, learn everything you can and keep your head down!

Generally, it’s okay to post “I got a great new job! Stay tuned for the details!” anywhere you like.

But before you write a long blog post with all the details, make sure you have the go-ahead from your new employer. You wouldn’t want to get an unpleasant surprise!

Wendy Stackhouse for Artisan Creative

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