16. Jun
2008

Resigning without the mess

Written by: admin - Posted in: Career Tips

Resigning without the mess Resigning from jobs is often given little thought by an employee leaving for a new position due to the mistaken belief that a reference will not be needed. However, you cannot be sure about jobs until you have worked them for a considerable amount of time, and if you and your new employer find you aren’t suited to the new job, you may be looking for work again sooner than you think. It is always better to leave on good terms if at all possible, as an inelegant resignation could haunt you in the future. A little effort in the right places can help your previous employer transition to a new worker in your position as well as benefiting your career prospects in the long term.

Check your employment agreement

There could be many factors that affect your ability to resign cleanly, but the most important initial concern you should have is the amount of notice you are required to give. You must be clear on this, and it would be best if you knew before accepting any other offer of employment. You do not want to have to delay beginning your new job due to a misunderstanding about the notice you were required to give for your old job.

Other issues in your employment agreement or contract that could affect your resignation are non-compete clauses that disallow you from working for competitors for limited periods after the end of your employment or intellectual property provisions and confidentiality clauses. These can impede your ability to move into new jobs in the same field as well as possibly opening you up to legal action if you divulge information you are legally bound to keep private. If you are unsure of your responsibilities, you may wish to consult with a contract lawyer as to the nature of specific clauses in your agreement.

Inform your employer

Both verbally and with written confirmation you should inform your current employer of your resignation. Verbally this may be brief, but choose an opportune moment and speak positively in a calm manner. Your boss may react in a manner you do not expect, so try not to be taken aback if they are more emotional or confused than you thought they would be.

When writing the resignation letter, include your name, the date you are writing, and the date of your last day of employment. Be brief, detailing your desire to end your employment and the reasons for your resignation. Do not write about bad experiences with the company, as this may be more appropriate to address in an exit interview if your employer wishes to have one. You should address your resignation to your boss and hand it to them personally. Your letter may also include any positive thoughts you have about your experience with the company, but be sure to remain brief.[googmonify]0507589526:right:200:200[/googmonify]

Tie up loose ends

When leaving jobs of your own accord, you should always endeavour to finish any work that you can or at least document what you have done and what needs to be done so that someone else may complete your work. Ask your employer for a reference letter or for permission to use them as a reference. Settle your pay as well as any other entitlements you may be owed. Be courteous in bidding your colleagues goodbye and don’t burn bridges. You never know when you could use someone as a contact in the future.

Also, be aware of the possibility of an exit interview and counter-offers, as these could throw you off if you aren’t expecting them. You do not need to accept an exit interview if you do not wish to (unless you are contractually bound to complete one) but remember to be rational and calm about what you say. In the event you are offered a counter-offer, be sure to analyse whether accepting will benefit your career in the long term, as rejecting a job offer you have already accepted could damage your future prospects. Your current employer may also doubt your loyalty and could stymie your future progression. Being thoughtful about resignation will mark you as a professional and should prevent you leaving a trail of unsatisfied employers in the wake of your career.

We have more suggestions on resigning with class in our resources pages and if you are looking for jobs in Australia, please consider visiting our advertising jobs, graduate jobs, government jobs, customer service jobs and marketing jobs to find listings of the best new jobs.

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