Planning on quitting job

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Bored? Looking for a new challenge? Relocating? Taking a career break? These are just a few of the reasons behind writing that all-important resignation letter. However, a lack of simple planning can seriously harm your chances of employment in the future. Follow these tips to prevent any possible difficulties.

First things first, you need your resignation letter. Remember to thank your employer in this letter and keep it short. Do not mention anything negative either!

Have you given enough notice? Every recruiter will have different regulations…check your contract to be sure. If you’re leaving to take a new position at another company, don’t hang around in your current job longer than you need to.

Don’t think that once you’ve handed in your resignation letter you can sit back and relax until the day you leave. Remember, you’re going to need your current employer’s reference at some point. If you can no longer carry on with projects in your current role, offer to help in other ways. Maybe you can play a role in training your replacement?

Even if you’re not planning of working with your former employer in the future, ensure you leave on good terms as you never know when you might need them! In addition, if you’re leaving to start your own business, your former employers might even turn out to be one of your future clients.

Maintain your relationships with current colleagues. In every job, you’re bound to make friends / networking contacts. Don’t forget to take their numbers / email addresses before you leave!

If you’re quitting your day job to become self employed there are also a few issues you should consider. It is advisable to start saving money before you quit so you have something to fall back on. In addition, where possible, try going self employed on a part time basis until business has built up enough for you to quit your current job.

The most popular reasons for quitting:

Lack of promotion prospects
Poor salary
Poor relationship / lack of respect for Manager
Lack of job security
Too many hours
Poor relations with colleagues
Poor working conditions

Frequently asked questions

I am thinking of leaving my job but am hoping they’ll make me a counter offer. Is this likely?

It’s impossible to know…obviously, the better you are at the job, the more chance there is of your employer making a counter offer. If you are planning on getting one, make sure you give your employer enough time to offer one before you leave.

I feel guilty that I am quitting. Is this normal?

Yes! However, a good Manager will realise that many staff, particularly those under 30, will be proactively seeking a new job to improve their future prospects. Even better Managers will be happy to see you leave if it’s to better yourself!

Can I lie about why I am leaving?

No. Often, people ask us if they can pretend they are leaving to take a career break when in reality, they are leaving to join a competitor. Never lie about your reason for leaving – particularly if it can be found out! However, you do not need to tell your current boss the name of the company you’re joining.