Leaving Your Job Career Planning Self Evaluation Career Exploration Choosing a Career Education & Training Job Search Résumé Cover Letters Job Search Interviews Career Maintenance Keeping Your Job Leaving Your Job Seeking A Raise Giving Notice I am outta here. Done. Finished. Adios. Bye, bye. See ya later. Wait! Unless you've been fired, or for whatever reason (safety, mental health, physical health, etc.) you can't stick around any longer, you need to give appropriate notice before you leave a job. Not only is it the "right" thing to do but you don't want to burn any bridges. There are typically two ways people resign, in person or via a written letter of resignation - or both. Usually, even if you do meet with a supervisor in person to resign, she will ask you to draft a letter of resignation. If you are comfortable speaking directly with a supervisor to resign ... go for it. Be prepared though too. Think of what you are going to say ahead of time, try not to end things on a negative note, and be prepared for some kind of reaction. Your supervisor's reaction could range from crying profusely and begging you to stay to: "See ya, pack up your office." If you've been in your position for any length of time you will probably have some idea of what the reaction might be, but be prepared anyhow. Hopefully, by this stage of the game you know why you are leaving. Be prepared to answer this question. Try, if at all possible, to keep it positive. You don't want to be slamming your employer at this point. If you are leaving for better money, saying "a really great opportunity has come up" might suffice. If you are leaving for other reasons, try to keep it in a positive light. The Counter Offer You might also get a counter offer at this point so be prepared to answer to that. If you're leaving because of low pay, and your employer offers you more money, you should know ahead of time if that will be enough to keep you. It might also just be time leave and go onto other things. Fair enough. In a positive way try and let your employer know this. Consider saying something like this: "Well, you know Joe, it's been great working here and I've learned a great deal but I'm looking for new challenges. This (new job) seems to be just what I need." Don't be surprised if you get a response like: "We are sorry to see you go, it's been great working with you. Can you draft a letter of resignation for our records." And don't panic. Your resignation letter need not be complicated. You will want to draft your letter in a professional format. Keep it short, simple, and don't trash anyone -- keep it positive. Have a look at the following example: John Goodbye 1234 See Ya Later Street. N.W. Calgary, Alberta A1V 2D3 Mr. U.R. Bossman Yummy Food Restaurant 2345 Macleod Trail S. Calgary, Alberta A2B B3C January 15, 2002 Please accept this letter as notice I am resigning from my position as Sous Chef with Yummy Food Restaurant. My last day of employment will be February 2, 2002. Sincerely, John Goodbye "That's way too easy," you say. Well, it is really that easy. There's no need to go into great detail in your resignation letter. If you believe discussing your reasoning with your boss is appropriate try to do this in person. If you are handing in your letter of resignation prior to informing your boss, make sure you're available if she wants to discuss it with you. Remember, we're trying to not burn any bridges and hoping to keep a future reference on your side! What's an Exit Interview? Whew. You've officially resigned. It's over... you thought. Then your boss asks for an exit interview. What's that you say? Companies will generally request exit interviews to get feedback on why you are leaving. You can expect to be asked questions like: - Why are you leaving? - What was it about (our company) you liked? Disliked? - Do you believe you were treated fairly here? - Did you receive the support and supervision you believe you needed/wanted? It's a good idea to try and be as honest as possible when answering questions in an exit interview, but be prepared for some questions that might make you uncomfortable. If you aren't comfortable answering something, explain that you aren't comfortable and don't answer. This isn't the time (as some might think) to really "give it to your employer" and tell them everything you hated about your job.