How To Resign

Resignation tips
Resigning from your present employer can often prove to be a stressful experience, but what we sometimes forget is that changing jobs is a routine part of every growing professional career. Nobody enjoys the resignation process however you can ensure a smooth transition into a new roles by following the set of guidelines below.

The resignation letter and meeting
Written letters allow you the time to effectively prepare what you wish to communicate and gives you greater control over your delivery of the message. This means you can’t be thrown off-track by an unexpected remark as can happen during a one-to-one conversation.

We would recommend you schedule a meeting with your manager, hand them the resignation letter and allow them to respond or to arrange a separate meeting to discuss their thoughts. If you are leaving under good circumstances, it is important to thank your current employer for their support. It is not the time to raise grievances as this meeting should be light and positive, save this for the exit interview.

Try and aid the transition by using your notice period for the handover of any work in progress to colleagues and completing any unfinished tasks. Be as co-operative as possible and make sure your line manager or boss knows you have assisted with this process.

You should also be mindful that when handing in your notice your manager may not be expecting this and may not react well, but also they may try to counter offer you. See below for reasons not to accept a counter offer as well as our recommended resignation letter format.

Counter Offers
There are many reasons as to why you should not accept a counter offer, here are just a few reasons why:

• You have had to quit to get the pay rise, training or promotion you wanted
• Moving to a new company is a positive step, staying where you are and costing them more is not
• It is likely the reasons that made you want to leave wont change
• The majority of people who accept counter offers end up leaving within 6 months anyway
• Your perceived disloyalty may harm your career prospects with your current employer
• You are likely to have just received your next pay rise or next promotion early
• You are likely to regret an opportunity missed

Our recommended resignation letter format

Date

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

(Department Manager)
(Address)

Dear (name)

I would like to resign my position as (job title) with (company name) to leave (date).

I would like to take this opportunity to say that making this decision has been difficult, as working at (company name) has been a positive experience and one for which I am grateful. I have gained much here and have enjoyed working with you and my other colleagues in (department/section/project).

However I am excited about the new position I am undertaking and my decision is irrevocable as I am now legally bound by having signed a contract.

I am conscious of the need to provide support to the (name of) division until my departure and I shall give my full commitment until then.

I wish the (Division and company) every success in the future and thank you for the opportunities I have been given during my time here.

Yours sincerely

(your name)