The last 18 months have been a whirlwind, to say the least. The labor market was red hot in the first two months of 2020 before the pandemic brought the market to a screeching halt. However, as the economy continues the recover, the labor market is heating back up. The result of this is what some are calling the “Great Resignation” – a flood of employed job seekers leaving their current positions to pursue new opportunities. If you are one of the 42% of employed job seekers looking to take your talents elsewhere, here’s how to resign from a job.
Always speak with your supervisor first
If you accepted a new job opportunity, signed the offer letter, and have a start date arranged, the next step is to speak with your supervisor. Never send in a resignation letter without having a one-on-one conversation with your boss. Spilling the beans about your plans to resign can be challenging, but the professional thing to do is tell your boss before proceeding further in the process. Do your best to provide at least two weeks’ notice, if possible. Giving adequate notice will help your current employer prepare for your departure and allow for a smoother transition.
Write your resignation letter
Once your boss is aware of your plans to depart, the next step is crafting an official resignation letter. In most mid-to-large-sized companies, it may be required to submit a formal resignation, but if it isn’t, you should submit one regardless. In your letter, provide the following details:
- Full name
- Your job title
- The location where you work
- Address your letter to your boss
- The last day of your current job
These are the essentials that are required when it’s time to resign from a job. Keep your letter in a formal business format, and if you are emailing it, always write it in a Word (or similar) document.
Keep your reasons brief
In your letter or conversation with your supervisor, it is okay to explain why you are moving on. However, keep your reasons short and sweet, especially if they are negative. You can simply state you accepted another opportunity or offer more details to help the company improve in the future. But if your reasons for leaving are negative, it’s best to keep those to yourself.
Always be positive
When you are resigning from a position, it’s critical to remain positive and professional. Down the road, you may need a recommendation from your current employer. If you burn all your bridges on your way out, you may also burn your chances of securing a much-needed recommendation later on in your career.
Also, try and make the most of your last days with your employer. It can be easy to coast to your last day and do the bare minimum, but this will likely be strenuous for your employer. Ask your manager what you can do to make this transition easier for all parties. Offer to help train the new employee, tie up loose ends that you were working on, or note the things that would be helpful for the rest of the team to know. However you can help, this will help you end things positively and leave a good impression on your now-former employer.
