You feel they treated you like crap. They didn’t recognize or reward the hard work and dedication you gave them. And now, you have decided it’s time to exit. This article will share ways to leave your job gracefully, even if you are upset.
Your first impulse after knowing your days are numbered is probably very natural: “Let these jerks know how I feel!”
Hold off on that thought. Catch your breath. While you may want to create a scene they’ll be talking about for years after you’re gone, it is not your best move.
According to a variety of job boards, including CareerBuilder and Monster.com, anywhere from 4 to 7 percent of people return to work for a company a second time in their career. Even more people do business with their former company as part of their new company.
Let’s say you go out in a blaze of glory, how awkward is it going to be at another job down the road when your former company and current company are both handling different aspects of the same project. You’re going to regret leaving the wrong way.
Even if they’ve done you wrong, there are certain ways to leave a company without being spiteful:
Provide notice. It may feel good to walk in one morning and tell them that you’re done here and now, but it’s not fair to everyone in the company – some of whom you are probably friends with and do respect. Depending on the situation, anywhere from two weeks to two months is acceptable. You do not want the reputation of being somebody who leaves their employer high-and-dry.
Plan your departure. If you’re in the middle of a project, you know that you’re not going to be able to complete before you leave, create a transition plan whereby somebody who understands your initial vision takes over the project. On the day you leave, there should not be loose ends when it comes to your workload or workflow. While you may disagree with your management on many things, have pride in the work you did and leave a legacy where people don’t think you fled without taking care of things.
Tell your manager first. Do not tell your buddy–who you’re fairly certain will keep a secret–that you’re heading out the door. Even people who aren’t into gossip can get sucked into office secret sharing. That buddy may also be jockeying for your position and might use your plans against you. When you’ve decided it is time to part ways with the company, compose a short, to-the-point, non-inflammatory resignation letter and hand-deliver it.
Be respectful on your way out. If your manager or other leaders have screwed you over, the odds are that it’s happening to other people as well. Now that you’re almost out the door, it’s not the time to start bashing the company and trying to turn people who are staying against the company. If you have an exit interview, that is the place to calmly express that your experience wasn’t as beneficial or nurturing as you’d hoped. Don’t be shy and offer specific examples for clarity.
Make sure you have the other job. Do not quit because the second job interview went well. Do not present your resignation until you have a formal date to start your new employment, signed a contract or been formally offered the job in writing. Do you want to be sitting in your pajamas sending out applications because you misunderstood your potential new employer and quit the job you were unhappy with before you should have?
If you are considering a job change or are in the midst of transitioning, you don’t want to go it alone. Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation at http://maricarmenpizarro.com/contact-mari-carmen/
