How to Resign Gracefully

Leaving a horrible job can be one of the most exciting feelings in life…especially when you are going to a job that's 100 per cent better!

When leaving a crappy job I’m sure a few thoughts come to mind:

1. Telling you archenemies a piece of your mind

2. Doing absolutely nothing or what you want during your resignation period because you know no one can fire you (that’s a power rush)

3. Messing up the system so no one knows what’s going on without you.

Not to burst your bubble but when you move on to your new super amazing gladiator job you may need a reference check in the future.

Here are 5 tips to resigning gracefully and maintain your good name:

Tip #1: Resign only when you have a solid offer

“A promise is comfort to a fool” that Barbadian proverb would adequately fit in this case.

Don’t tell your boss you quit or hand in that resignation letter until you have an offer from your prospective employer in writing.

Tip #2: Always spend the full notice period

Yes… I know you can’t wait to leave your crappy job and you may want to take a vacation to shop and reset for your new job…but ensure you work throughout your full notice period.

Leaving your employer prematurely can limit the amount of time they have to find your replacement and train them to ensure a smooth transition … Again messing up your reference.

Tip #3: Don’t be quick to accept a Counter Offer

If you are a valuable employee that has been taken for granted and underpaid for years. Your employers suddenly see your value when someone else is willing to pay you what you are worth. Them offering you a higher pay at your resignation shows they could have paid you what you were worth but chose not to.

If you take the counter offer you may have won a small victory but this will reoccur in the future.

Tip #4: Don’t Slack Off

After resigning you no longer have the chimp on your shoulder of being fired. You are in control of your own destiny. However, you shouldn’t use this new found power to sabotage your department, talk badly about your boss or jeopardize your standard of work.

Slacking off can ruin the reputation you have built after all those years with the organization and people may become thankful that you are gone as you no longer provide value.

Tip#5: Do! Prepare a Handover

You don’t want your previous co-workers contacting you about work that you have purged from your mind. Your handover should include:

• Outstanding projects

• Where to find stuff on any shared drive the department should have

• How to navigate your desk

• Templates for correspondence you often send

• Contact information of suppliers and vendors

Questions? Comments? Write them below.