You’ve been offered a job elsewhere and it’s now time to hand in your notice to your current employer. It can be such a stressful task, but there are some do’s and don’t’s when it comes to leaving your workplace. Check them out below.
Put it in writing
Right after you have been offered a new position elsewhere, you must pen your resignation letter. If you’re struggling with what to say, there are so many templates available online (see here for a good example), but the basic information you’ll need is the current date, your role that you’ll be resigning from, your notice period, and your last working day.
Only tell your boss…
It doesn’t matter how much you dislike your job, you don’t go telling anyone ahead of your boss. If you’ve told anyone and your manager finds out, this could lead to a very awkward meeting.
You must choose the perfect time to break the news. Make sure they don’t have a big meeting beforehand, and don’t do it first thing in the morning.
Be honest
Tell your boss in your one-to-one why you are leaving, and be constructive with any criticism.
Work your notice
Don’t forget, your new employer might want a reference from your previous manager, and doing a disappearing act will not go down well.
Don’t forget to ask if you have any holiday allowance left, it may be that you’ll be allowed to leave a little earlier than expected.
If you are going to work for a competitor, you might be asked to clear your desk immediately. If this is the case, make sure any loose ends and personal effects are sorted before you leave.
Be the professional
We’ve all seen it – the employee who is leaving but is now putting in zero effort… Don’t be that person. Again, you don’t want a bad reference going to your new employer who could then retract their offer.
A smooth handover
If you have colleagues taking over your role after you’re gone, or someone new is coming in, bring them up to speed with any projects you have on the go.
Leaving your colleagues in the lurch will leave a sour taste. If you’re moving to a position in the same industry, it’s more than likely you’ll come across them again. You don’t want them resenting you and telling others too.
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