If you’re thinking about quitting your job, there are a bunch of things you don’t want to do: Quit in a huff, get senioritis in your last weeks, be so concerned about the right timing that you put it off too long, and more.
Over at U.S. News & World Report today, I talk about how to make your resignation go smoothly. Go read it and then get ready to quit your job!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Perfect timing – I commented at the article.
Wow, Jamie — that’s big news! What’s next once you leave?
Congratulations Jamie! (But I can’t see your post at the original article.)
It only displays the 3 most recent comments on the first page, but you can click “show all comments” to see them all … or just go here:
http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2011/12/19/how-to-quit-your-job/comments
Thanks for the link Alison.
P.S. I couldn’t (and still can’t) find the “show all comments” link on the original article. (I’m usually good with that kind of thing…) Where should I be looking?
Right below my bio, there’s a black bar that says “reader comments.” In the right part of that bar, there’s a link to “read all comments.” It’s not very noticeable!
Found it. Thanks!
Once my ducks are all properly aligned, I’ll definitely let you know.
It absolutely wasn’t in a huff – and we’re working on a transition plan now which will make it as smooth as possible for both parties. I gave notice to take effect at the end of first quarter.
I know two weeks is customary, but some positions require a longer transition and I wanted to extend the professional courtesy. My boss appreciated the longer notice and in return I can interview with transparency and good references from a current employer. I have no ill will toward this company, in fact I’m very sad that it came to this. As much as I’ve loved this job, there were a couple of things which were not going to change; unfortunately for me they became untenable. I wanted to move on while I was still performing at a high level – before my attitude (which has become more and more visible) hurt my career.
That doesn’t make them a lousy company, nor me a crappy employee – reasonable people can disagree in good faith on matters of business.
I wish I could say it was because I had another job lined up, offer letter in hand, but I don’t. As stupid as this may sound to some people I’m acting on instinct and it just felt like the right time to rip off the band-aid.
I may have made the biggest mistake of my life – time will tell.
Well, congratulations! I’m a huge fan of proceeding that way when the context allows for it, which it sounds like yours does!
I’ve had former employers who would escort you out when you gave notice, so I certainly don’t advise this approach for everyone.
As you’ve said before, an employer doesn’t earn the right to honesty and long notice periods if they punish people for resigning. But this is the benefit to the employer of being decent about transitions – there are fewer blindsides.
Edited to add that while I gave notice this morning, a subsequent conversation resulted in the delay of accepting my resignation until after the first of the year.
Year end is the busiest time of the year for me and both sides thought it wise to save the formalities until we revisit this after year end close.
Kind of like a grace period to make sure this is really what I want and not a decision borne out of exhaustion and now chronic migraines.
I know it makes me sound like a flake, people trying to protect me from myself, but I’m really not. I appreciate the fact that they’ve recognized the burnout for what it is and want to give me some time to see if I can recharge and stay or if it’s time to move on.
So did you tell them why? The real reason I mean.
Absolutely. It also wasn’t the first discussion – there were no surprises.
Good for you, Jamie. Leaving a job without having another lined up is one of the hardest decisions to make, but ultimately I think you’ve thought it through well enough and it sounds like it’s the right one for you. I’m also glad to hear that your company is understanding in giving you that “grace period” until the new year, although it does sound like you’ve already made up your mind.
I’ve left two jobs without having anything lined up. The first time, it was like ripping off the band-aid. I was in a role that I didn’t enjoy and although I liked the company and loved my boss, there was no future for me there. My boss knew this well enough as we had a really great working relationship and he wasn’t surprised when I told him I wanted to move on. I actually didn’t hand in a formal resignation – he preferred that I leave it open-ended and take as much time as I needed. Having this out in the open meant that I didn’t have to lie about having interviews (in fact, he would get excited for each one and want to know how it went, etc). I left about 2 months after the initial conversation with my boss. I was lucky that it worked out the way it did. Had it not been for that boss, I’m not sure if I would’ve left in that manner.
The second time… not so smooth, but ultimately I didn’t like the changes that were going on in the organization and I wasn’t happy with playing the office politics. Luckily I was able to get a temp job right away – and I’m still temping until I find the right opportunity.
I hope everything works out for you.
I applaud your bravery. I do. I should have done the same thing four years ago, but I’m afraid to.
I’m doing my best to take one day at a time and just keep applying for jobs, but this job is definitely affecting my health, so I’m still thinking and weighing my options.
All the best of luck to you, Jamie! My hat is off to you!
I left a job a few years ago after 10 months. I hadn’t quit a job without having another lined up for 20+ years, but it was not a good fit and the place dripped mis-management. Was it a good decision? I’m still not sure. After 3 years, I’ve still not found a decent full-time position with benefits. At times, I have doubts about having left a full time benefitted job, but then I think back to the huge knot in my stomach every morning as I drove to work, and how after 10 months I still had no direction or feedback about what I was supposed to be doing, and how at this place, it was obvious that women were considered lesser beings, so I figure, at least I sleep better. Poor, yes, but rested.
I have just been offered a job and am finalising the details with my future employer, so this is perfect timing for me.
My question has to do with giving notice. At my current job, we have had a number of people leave this year and each of them gave 1-3 months notice. The professional standard seems to be at least 1 month notice and because it’s a small professional community, I don’t want to give less than that.
My new employer wants me to start as soon as possible, but I’ve told them I would have to give one month’s notice to my current employer (so couldn’t start until the end of January).
Here’s the problem: You recommend (wisely) to talk to my boss in person; however, he won’t be back in the office until the new year (i.e., 2 weeks). This would mean I either give only 2 weeks notice to my current employer or ask my future employer to wait 6 weeks for me to start.
Alternatively, I could give notice to the CEO (my boss’s boss). I’m just concerned my boss would be upset that I didn’t tell him personally. (He’s pretty emotional.)
Any suggestions?
Give the notice to the CEO — you have no choice in this situation. Explain to the CEO (and to your boss when he’s back) that you wanted to make sure they had the maximum notice possible, which is why you’re doing it this way.
Thanks Alison. That had been my instinct too.
I think I’ll wait to tell my team and coworkers until after I’m able to talk to my boss in person (unless the CEO suggests otherwise).