It’s not inevitable that you will burn bridges when you resign from a job, according to Chisholm Career Education Coordinator Katharine Beech. “But after you make the decision to leave, it’s important to take care,” she advises.
“The relationships that you’ve built in your current role may remain part of your professional network for years to come.” And you never know who you may end up working with again.
Here are six things to do to make sure you keep your employer “on side” when you resign.
Tell a consistent story
Career coach and former business executive Lisa Quast stresses the importance of thinking through how you will explain your resignation to your boss and co-workers. “Whatever reasons you provide, keep your story consistent,” she advises. An inconsistent story could make your co-workers question your honesty and reliability at a later date.
Show respect towards your boss
“Your manager deserves to be told first, so refrain from saying anything to co-workers until you’ve met with your boss,” Lisa recommends. It’s also advisable not to say anything critical or disparaging about your boss to your co-workers, even if they’re good friends: remaining polite and graceful will leave a better impression.
Minimise the inconvenience
Make your resignation as easy as possible for your boss by drawing up a list of unfinished work and writing a ‘how-to’ guide for your replacement. Think about how your workplace could manage without you in the short term and share those thoughts. And try not to quit during a particularly busy period, or when you’re midway through a big project.
Don’t dwell on negatives
If you’re leaving, chances are you’re unhappy about some aspect of your job. But there’s little to be gained by talking to your boss about the negative aspects of your job, even if you think doing so might help the organisation improve. “When it comes to telling your boss why you’re leaving, less is definitely more,” says bestselling management author Suzy Welch. Remember: your goal is to preserve your relationships after you leave. Giving your employer unsolicited advice could impact that.
Always write a letter of resignation
Even though it’s not always required in Australia, writing a simple letter of resignation is a good idea: it shows your professionalism and your respect for the workplace. Putting your resignation in writing is also a good way to avoid saying something spontaneous about your reasons for leaving that you might later regret. Unsure what to say? There are plenty of examples of letters of resignation online, as well as templates for resignation letters.
Say ‘thank you’
Expressing your gratitude is a great way to leave a positive impression. When you resign, remember to say ‘thank you’ to your boss for the opportunity to work in your current role – Suzy recommends including a ‘thank you’ in your resignation letter. And, on your final day, consider bringing in a small gift, such as a box of chocolates, or shouting your colleagues a drink after work.
