The Resignation Letter: Why a "Gentleman's Agreement" Won't Cut It
If you're a shy person terminally uncomfortable with confrontation, or if you're an employee eager to sidestep some funky history, a letter of resignation is a no-brainer. Your letter of resignation, with your live signature, constitutes a formal contract, which when accepted, constitutes a binding agreement. By putting your departure in writing, you’re showing not only your employer but yourself that you really mean it.
Beyond the letter, you’ll still need a strategy if you want to actually get out the door. You're likely to be offered as many incentives to stay as you have reasons to leave.
A Formula for Action:
1. Announce your intention to resign (and remember the modifier: "Please accept this letter as . . .")
2. Praise your company as you depart (your tenure has left you enriched . . . not to mention, launched)
3. Announce your departure date (make it firm, but again, the modifier: acknowledge the process for your replacement hire -- two weeks is the standard)
4. Express gratitude (and remember, this need not be insincere)
5. Sign it and deliver it (NB: interoffice mail would, in most cases, be considered not appropriate).
Your level of expertise, your professional maturity, and everything that you know makes you attractive to a more promising position -- all these qualities make it hard to let you go. A verbal resignation is likely to be received with a handshake.... and a wink.
But even with the letter, there will always be an ultimate face-to-face. Here staying steadfast is really crucial because this will be your employer's last opportunity to persuade you to stay. They will take advantage. There will not be a stop they won't pull. Remind yourself the reasons you started looking for other opportunities. Rehearse the conversation ahead of time and don't be surprised by offers of salary and responsibility increases.
Try to keep the conversation as pleasant as possible. It won't be easy; leaving a long-term position is similar to leaving a long-term relationship. But don’t burn the bridges as you depart. When you become as successful as you know you can be, your paths will cross again. There's no easy way to remove yourself from the place and the people where you have spent a significant amount of time. However, if you can keep it simple, keep it friendly, and keep your eye on what is best for everyone involved you might find that the dread was worse than the bite.
Beyond the letter, you’ll still need a strategy if you want to actually get out the door. You're likely to be offered as many incentives to stay as you have reasons to leave.
A Formula for Action:
1. Announce your intention to resign (and remember the modifier: "Please accept this letter as . . .")
2. Praise your company as you depart (your tenure has left you enriched . . . not to mention, launched)
3. Announce your departure date (make it firm, but again, the modifier: acknowledge the process for your replacement hire -- two weeks is the standard)
4. Express gratitude (and remember, this need not be insincere)
5. Sign it and deliver it (NB: interoffice mail would, in most cases, be considered not appropriate).
Your level of expertise, your professional maturity, and everything that you know makes you attractive to a more promising position -- all these qualities make it hard to let you go. A verbal resignation is likely to be received with a handshake.... and a wink.
But even with the letter, there will always be an ultimate face-to-face. Here staying steadfast is really crucial because this will be your employer's last opportunity to persuade you to stay. They will take advantage. There will not be a stop they won't pull. Remind yourself the reasons you started looking for other opportunities. Rehearse the conversation ahead of time and don't be surprised by offers of salary and responsibility increases.
Try to keep the conversation as pleasant as possible. It won't be easy; leaving a long-term position is similar to leaving a long-term relationship. But don’t burn the bridges as you depart. When you become as successful as you know you can be, your paths will cross again. There's no easy way to remove yourself from the place and the people where you have spent a significant amount of time. However, if you can keep it simple, keep it friendly, and keep your eye on what is best for everyone involved you might find that the dread was worse than the bite.
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