In most cases,
resigning is an exciting but scary experience. On one hand, you’re likely
pursuing a better opportunity, such as a new job or starting your own business. On the other hand,
letting go of a stable job is always tough. This is especially true
if you’re leaving your job to launch a company, or commit to your existing business full-time.
Regular employment
provides more than just a regular paycheck. It provides a network of
relationships and opportunities. Fortunately, you don’t have to give those
things up.
By resigning
professionally, you can make sure you don’t close any doors or sour any
relationships. In this post, I'll cover how to do just that.
Resigning from your
job, especially a good one, isn’t a decision to make suddenly. Many people
spend years building their business on the side before
taking the leap. Only you know when you’re ready to leave your full-time
job behind.
Before you take the
the plunge, there a few things to consider.
Line Up Your Savings
Do you have any
savings to fall back on? Being a successful entrepreneur is
about balancing risk with reward. You can remove some of the risk if you have
money in the bank to get you through the hard times. Even very successful
businesses sometimes run into cash flow shortfalls, so make sure you can
cover your personal expenses if you don’t get paid for a while.
Whether you’re starting
up or scaling up, you need to plan for how things will change once you
commit to your business full-time. What additional responsibility will you be
taking on? How will you grow? If your business doesn’t grow, you may regret
leaving your old job behind. Have a plan to make sure it does.
Prepare for a Lifestyle Change
Things are going to be
different when you’re working for yourself. And that’s ok. Great actually.
You’ll have more freedom and the control to work how you want, where you want,
and when you want. This includes control over your own compensation package.
·
Do you have unused
vacation days? Use them up before you go. You may not get another chance to
take time off for a while.
·
Do you rely on company
health care benefits? Get your own plan lined up before you let go.
·
Can you work at home
or do you need an office away from home? Don’t forget to account for the cost
of a workspace.
·
Are you willing and
able to hold yourself accountable for getting things done? You have to be your
own boss now.
How To Resign
Professionally
If you’ve made your
decision and laid the groundwork for resigning, here’s how to do it right.
It doesn’t matter what
your relationship with your employer is. Whether it's awesome or awful,
don’t ruin it. You never know when you’ll run into people in the future
when they could help—or harm—you. Keep things friendly.
If you have had
a negative experience, take a moment and tell yourself how right you are. And
then move on. Now is not the time to air your grievances. Do not try and prove
a point.
No matter what, give
your employer two weeks notice. This is widely accepted as the standard and
it's the professional thing to do. If you have a good relationship with your
employer, you may want to offer more notice to give them ample time to fill
your shoes.
However, just because
you give notice doesn’t mean your employer will accept it. It is within their
rights to terminate your role immediately and some employers prefer not to have
people around after they’ve resigned. Be prepared for this outcome.
Also, consider how
much support you’re willing to provide during the transition. Plan your limits
ahead of time. How involved will you be in finishing up projects, handing over
responsibilities, and hiring and training your replacement? Decide on this
ahead of time so that you don’t over-promise let your employer down.
Oh, and before you do
anything else, read over your contract or the terms of your employment.
You don't want any surprises!
Write Your Resignation
Letter
When it comes to
actually writing your resignation letter, there are a few best practices to
consider.
Be Direct
Don’t take too long to
make your point or beat around the bush. Be upfront with what your message.
Your boss shouldn’t be left wondering what you’re trying to say. They should
know right away.
Don’t Explain
You don’t need to
explain yourself. I repeat, you don’t need to explain yourself. You
are under no obligation to do so. However, if you want to, you can. Just know
that whatever you say could be held against you in the future. Especially if
you end up trying to come back.
Be Polite
Even if you hate your
boss, you should be polite. Remember, there’s no point in destroying
relationships just to make a point. Ideally, go beyond polite and include
something nice. Thank your employer for the experience and opportunity.
Outline Next Steps
Your resignation
letter is also a good time to outline how much help you’re willing to provide
during the transition. How long you’re willing to stay and how involved you’re
willing to be in this process. Lay clear boundaries and don’t over commit
yourself. Remember that you don’t have to provide any support, but it is a
nice, professional thing to do. Get the Format for the Letter at www.caresofjune.tk
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