Handing in your notice

Congratulations on securing your new position!  Now comes the potentially daunting task of telling your employer you are resigning!

Often handing in your notice is easier and less traumatic than you think it will be. The nerves and anticipation are generally worse than the actual deed itself so don’t worry – you will be fine!

Here are some tips to help you do it right though;

1. Prepare

Make sure you have your formal written offer of employment from your new company first – the last thing you want is to resign and then find out you do not have a secure job to go to. Make sure you have negotiated your salary and discussed a potential start date.

2. Write a resignation letter

Keep your letter short and concise and resist any urge to go into too much detail or tell your boss what he or the company may have done wrong. Its always best not to burn your bridges and remember you may have to work out your notice period so you don’t want it to be uncomfortable. There is a template you can use at the bottom of this page...

3. Arrange a time to resign

Book in a time with your boss as soon as possible. Don't let it drag on – you will feel much better once you have got it out of the way and can focus on your new position. If your boss does not have an office or somewhere private to discuss – see if they can meet you for a coffee before or after work.

4. Be confident and avoid the "Counter Offer"

You have decided to move on for a reason – remember what that reason was and be certain of your decision. It is possible that your employer may try and persuade you to stay by offering you more money or a promotion. Be prepared for this and prepared to tell them why its not of interest. Research has shown that almost 90% of people who accept counter offers still leave within six months of this!

5. Be professional

Remember – you have known that you are leaving for a while and it may be brand new news to your manager. Be prepared that they may be shocked and need a bit of time for it to sink in. Tell your manager your reasons for leaving and that you have accepted another position. Give them your resignation letter and thank them for the time they have worked with you. Discuss your notice period and agree on a final day with the company. Ask them if they will write you a reference for the future.

DO’S AND DON’T

DO

  • Prepare and be confident in your decision
  • Rehearse what you are going to say
  • Write a resignation letter
  • Resign in person whenever possible
  • Ask for a reference
  • Try to keep in touch with colleagues

DON’T

  • Accept a counter offer
  • Burn your bridges
  • Resign when you are angry
  • Tell your boss everything they did wrong
  • Bad mouth your company after resigning

 

Resignation letter template

 

[Your Address]
[Your Name]

[Todays Date]
[Company Name and Address]
Dear [Manager’s Name]

This is to formally notify you that I am handing in my resignation from my role as [Job Title] with [Company Name] from today.

Please accept this letter as my official notice. As my contract requires me to give [Insert Amount of Weeks] weeks notice, my last day with the company will be on the [Insert Leaving Date].

Thank you for the opportunities you have given me during my time at [Company Name], I wish you all the best for the future

Yours Sincerely,

[Your Name]

 

To find out more, please  Contact us and we will be happy to help