Planning on quitting job
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.
Useful career-related website (external links)
Career / Life Coaching: One to one confidential coaching / interview support
Jobseekers Advice: Independent information and free career advice
The Recruitment and Development Team: Assisting clients make judgemental decisions about recruitment, development / manpower planning
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elaine daly said,
January 6, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
I am going to quit my job tomorrow and have typed a resignation letter. The letetr basically sets out the reasons, i.e certain situations have left me no choice and are affecting my health so I have no choice other than to leave. I do not want to leave on bad terms, but feel that it needs to be on records why I am (reluctantly) leaving.
I would very mch appreciate your comments
Many thanks
The CV Store said,
January 7, 2008 @ 9:25 am
Hi Elaine,
A resignation doesn’t need to go into too much detail behind your reasons for leaving. Where possible, you should try and refrain from mentioning anything negative. Is there any chance you could say you’re leaving to progress further - or even not include a reason at all but thank the company for the opportunity?
For example resignation letters, see http://www.thecvstore.net/blog/sample-resignation-letters/
Khan said,
June 14, 2008 @ 2:50 pm
I am leaving my job because one of my subordinates which is a very good mate pf my immidiate boss verbaly abused me in front of my team so i am left with no other alernative to leave, because no action was taken by my boss on the situation i do not have anyother job in the pipeline i am leaving with only my dignity in tact i did not turn around and abuse him (which i now think i should have done) but the lack on intrest during the hearing has left me with no choice how can i get back at him should i hand in my resignatiom to my boss then go to the other guys office and give him a piece of my mind i would like to mention here that i have not mentioned in my resignation any thing abusive or negitive but just the positives i am taking away from the job and also asked my boss to aintain the fiendly realationship that we had during my time there.
cheers
Khan
The CV Store said,
June 14, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
Hi Khan,
Sorry to hear this - doesn’t sound like a nice situation to be in.
To be honest, I wouldn’t do anything - you’re the bigger man here. Just leave with your dignity intact, on a positive note and think of this as a new opportunity for something better.
Taking revenge may result in your reputation becoming tainted and may even harm your chances of future employment.
Bob said,
June 18, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
I am in a position of senior middle management in a niche market in the uk and only 30 yrs old.
I own a small property in the channel islands.
I am now in the position where I can return to the channel islands and command half the salary for the same quality of life (currently paying mortgage in CI and rent in UK). The UK role is very stressful and requiring extended hours. I cannot think of a logical reason to not quit, although I get paid very well in the UK £50K++ after all taxes and deductions etc..
Thinking of quitting tomorrow - making that leap, can’t see a reason not too, and if I don’t when will I. Thinking of working 2-3 days a week in CI if I can find right job, allowing me to explore some personal business prospects that could earn £100K profit in my own pocket within one year easy if successful, or taking on a CI permanent role and having lots of cash in hand even if not enjoying the role…. bored of office work, but it pays the bills.
Any thoughts - I’d be grateful.
thanks
B.
CV Writer from The CV Store said,
June 19, 2008 @ 8:18 am
Hi Bob,
Sounds like an exciting time for you! This isn’t really something we could advise on and is a decision only you can make based on your current personal circumstances.
L said,
July 1, 2008 @ 9:27 pm
Hi,
I am also thinking of quitting my job tomorrow, been there for 3 years running a service as a first time manager. I wanted leave 9 months ago, but was told by a director that my dream position would soon be advertised soon, so waited for those 9months, now found out its been postponed another year. This role has involved being away from home for most of the week. I am finding it really stressful being away from home all the time and then when im in the office once a week, running around trying to get everything done. I have now got to the point where I am stressing about going in and when im there, bursting into tears!
I need to hand in resignation tomorrow, but am feeling so guilty as I would be leaving them at their busiest time, and would feel guilty about leaving my colleague to deal with it all. Also not already having a job lined up is a huge worry.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated,
Thanks L
CV Writer from The CV Store said,
July 4, 2008 @ 9:25 am
Hi ‘L’,
If this job is affecting your health and / or you personal life, you have to ask yourself if it is worth it?
With regards to felling guilty; don’t worry - it is perfectly normal to feel like this and just goes to show that you’re a committed employee!
Stan said,
July 10, 2008 @ 12:04 am
Hi,
I am also strongly considering handing my resignation in on Monday. I feel as though my job does not hold any future prospects and as though I am not working towards anything. There is nothing to motivate me to put 100% into my job.
I am still young, only 22 and I am quite scared at the prospect of being jobless and even worse is the fact I really don’t know what career to enter or pursue. It is really frustrating, because everyone around me seems to have their ideal career in mind. I wish I had that! I feel as if I’m only the one like this? Is it normal?
On one hand I feel as though I must leave this job as I can not stand working their anymore, but on the other hand I am scared I will regret leaving because I will be jobless for a short time at least until I decide what I want to do.
Any thoughts are much appreciated.
Thanks, Stan.
The CV Store said,
July 10, 2008 @ 7:56 am
Hi Stan,
Firstly, don’t worry - you’re still young and many people your age also will not know what direction they’ll want their career to go in.
Have you considered participating in a bit of voluntary work in various areas to get a feel for new things? How about further education? Maybe you could take some time out to travel?
Whatever you decide, don’t look at your situation negatively - it’s an exciting time.
Sammie said,
August 12, 2008 @ 11:25 am
I have come to the decision that I really need to quit my job as it is making me very unhappy. I’ve only been at my present company for around 5 months, but I’ve soon realised that this is not the right company for me and I’m not right for this company.
I’ve started looking around for something new and sending off speculative applications etc but as it is the summer things are a bit quiet and there isn’t much being advertised at the moment.
I’m really worried about staying where I am until something else comes up, but I don’t think we can really afford for me to just quit now with nothing concrete to go to. My notice period is 4 months, but of course don’t know that I will find something new by the end of this period. How do I keep myself positive while working somewhere that makes me very unhappy. Should I be honest with my boss and tell them that I’m looking around for something new?
Many thanks.
Sammie