The right way to resign

You are thinking about quitting your job, but before you do, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you being paid enough?

• Do you get on well with your colleagues?

• Is the culture supportive?

• Is the training effective?

• Could you develop your role/be promoted?

If you answered yes to three or more of the above, you might want to reconsider your decision. If not, and you decide it’s time to resign, here’s what you need to know about resigning:

A resignation letter requires:

• Your name

• The date

• Name of the addressee (your manager or boss)

• Your notice of termination of employment (e.g. ‘I wish to hand in my notice...’)

• Date termination is effective from (e.g. ‘effective from November 19th, 2014’)

• Your signature

Thanking your employer is optional, complaining is not. Stay civil and professional throughout the resignation process, it will stand to you in the future when a new employer seeks a reference. 

You can arrange a meeting with your manager and tell them you’re resigning. More than likely, they will ask you to put it in writing. You can give them your letter of resignation then and there or shortly afterwards. 

It is quite possible your employer will ask you to reconsider, or make a counter offer. It’s best to consider such an offer carefully. Ask yourself if a pay rise or a promotion or perks like a company car make you happy? Will you feel comfortable around colleagues that know you wanted to leave? If the issues that prompted you to resign will remain unchanged, then it’s unlikely your future lies with the same employer. 

If you stand firm in your decision to leave, remain civil and professional throughout your notice period. Be proactive in completing your handover and make sure you understand fully what settling outstanding salary, holiday entitlement or commission is owed to you.

If it’s time to make the move, contact Michael Page to see how we can help your job search today.