Is the misery of your job starting to seep into your personal life? If your answer is yes, then it might be about time you seriously consider the possibility of quitting your job. But although marching into your boss’s office to tell him of all the ways you hate your job is a very tempting idea, it wise advise to not be rash about it lest you make a regrettable decision. Take a moment to come up with a plan on how you should go about it. After all, there is a right way to do everything, even if it is quitting your job.
10) Do make an audit before quitting.
Using a pros and cons list, enumerate everything that you like and don’t like about your job. By making sure that you learn something from the experience, you can make the right choices moving forward.
9) Do make sure you have some savings.
It may be hard to quit your job outright if you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck. Make sure that you have at least 6 months worth of expenses in your fund so you can financially survive until you secure a new source of regular income.
8) Do make sure you’re prepared.
Don’t make the same mistakes of some employees who quit their job only to find out that they’re not legally allowed to work for the company they’re planning to transfer to. Before leaving, make sure that you review all the documents you signed when you took your job. This way, you can check if you didn’t agree to any to nonsolicitation and non-compete clauses.
7) Do give plenty of notice.
Although a two-week notice is what’s standard in most professions, giving a much longer notice is so much better. Not only will this give your employer plenty of time to prepare for a smooth transition, this will also reflect well on your character as giving a much longer notice will reduce anxiety among the ranks.
6) Do inform your boss first.
Before giving the company official notice, it’s a good idea to let your supervisors know first about your plan especially if you have developed a close relationship with them. This is to avoid them feeling slighted or blindsided with your sudden resignation.
5) Do be straight to the point but diplomatic.
When people leave their jobs, it’s usually because they’ve found a better opportunity for them. Although this kind of situation isn’t difficult to convey to your boss, leaving simply because you’re not happy with your current job is another whole story. You can be direct and honest about your unhappiness, but make sure that you stay away from criticism.
4) Do provide reasons.
Tell your boss the reasons you’re leaving your job so he or she will have a better understanding on what retention looks like for that role. For example, if tell them that you feel you’ve hit a professional-growth ceiling, your supervisor will be in a better position to think critically about the development opportunities they’re providing for their staff as well as the person who will fill your role.
3) Do give compliments.
The best way to start a resignation meeting is by paying your current employer a compliment. By doing this, you will be able to start the conversation on a positive note. You can perhaps say that you liked how your current company provided you a valuable learning environment.
2) Do let them know on a Friday.
The best time to let your company know that you are leaving is at the end of the week. Even better if you can manage to schedule a late-afternoon meeting. Doing so will save everyone from the post-meeting awkwardness that’s sure to follow. This also allows you some time to get yourself ready before entering your last two weeks at work.
1) Do be tactful.
Although your exit interview may seem like the perfect time to broadcast all of your gripes, this is not the best approach for this situation. Think before you take aim. Ask yourself what you’re going to gain by trashing your boss. Remember that your boss might be one of the people who might be contacted when you’re applying for future employment positions.
