Are you thinking about quitting your job for something new? Maybe you want to start your own business, or maybe you’ve been offered a better job with a different company. Either way, you’re not alone; research has found that over half of Brits want to quit their job. And the most popular day to quit (the 31st of January) is quickly approaching – but if you want to leave your job, you should do it professionally.
After all, resigning professionally means that you will still have a good reputation, and it will also leave you with more contacts for the future. A win-win situation for everyone involved!
Here are five tips to help you resign professionally.
1. How To Resign: Be Diplomatic
When you are writing your resignation letter, be as diplomatic as possible. Write two to three sentences about how appreciative you are for the career opportunity, and say how much you have learned during your time working there. Be aware that this letter will have an effect on your employer; it is likely they will have to dedicate time and resources to hire someone new, so it is important to be respectful.
2. Find Out If The Company Has Resignation Rules
Before handing your resignation letter in, find out if the company has any specific resignation rules (such as providing one month’s notice before leaving). It is professional and gracious to honour these rules, especially if you have worked for the company for a long time.
3. Be Positive
It can be tempting to complain to co-workers or future employers about problems you had with your old job, but this normally causes more harm than good. For example, if it gets back to your old boss you may lose an important connection, and if future employees find out you publicly bashed your job they may be less likely to hire you. So if you want to rant, do it in private with a trusted friend, rather than with a professional contact (or on social media)!
4. Get A Few Good Recommendations
We suggest asking for good recommendations before you leave (even if you already have a new job set up). Good recommendations can provide you with new opportunities that you may not have considered, and they can be used for years to come.
And even if you work remotely (for instance, if you work for a virtual assistant agency), you can still ask your employers for a recommendation! First send in your resignation letter, and then when your employer responds you can ask for a written recommendation.
5. Stay Focused Until The Very Last Hour
Once you have handed your notice in you may be tempted to coast at work, but if you want to leave on a good note you should stay focused until the very last hour. Use the time to prepare a handover for the person who will take your job, and make sure you wrap up any loose ends. This will give the new employee a better chance to succeed, and your company will also appreciate your efforts.
Are you quitting your job to start your own company? If so, you may want to use our virtual assistant agency to hire a virtual assistant. We have a selection of professional remote employees who work with small business owners across the UK so that their businesses can thrive (even if they don’t have an official location!).
