So, you have been through the interview process, done all the research and met your potential future colleagues. You have been offered the role, negotiated the package, and accepted your new job. Now it’s time to resign, something that you will have felt confident in doing the whole way through the job search, but that seems suddenly daunting and makes everything feel very real. There will be several things going through your mind, which we are going to explore here.
Who do I resign to?
Many people are unsure if they are ‘supposed to’ give their formal resignation to the HR department or their direct boss. There is no right or wrong answer for this; the most appropriate course of action is to follow your company police. We would recommend however, to hand your resignation to your direct line manager, who will then go through the chain as per company policies. This is likely to be your strongest day to day relationship, and they will be able to advise you further on the next steps.
Should I write a letter?
You should always resign in person, arrange a face-to-face meeting with your boss at the earliest opportunity to have an open discussion with them. The chances are, they might not be aware that you were looking to move, and having this meeting will enable you both to have a conversation and importantly give feedback and the opportunity to ask questions. However, you should also have a letter to record your official resignation date. This will ensure there is no confusion when it comes to your final working day or package calculations.
What should I say?
If you have a good relationship with your boss, this meeting could be hard, and at times emotional. Remember that you are not the first and won’t be the last person to hand in their notice. Your manager will have been through this before, and will probably ask you what the new role is, the company, package etc. It is completely your choice which details you choose to share, do what makes you comfortable. On the other hand, if there are some serious issues you wish to raise which you do not feel comfortable to bring up in this setting, you can book a separate meeting with HR to discuss confidentially. Just remember not to lose sight of what is best for your career, and the reasons you accepted the new role in the first place. You are the priority.
Will I burn bridges?
Once you have resigned, you may feel guilty, especially if you have friends at work, a team you manage, and a good relationship with your boss. Remember, all these people ultimately will want you to be happy and succeed. Of course, they’ll be sad to see you go, however people leave jobs every day and the world does not stop. It is highly unlikely that, if you are professional and honest, you will burn any bridges. Don’t let your performance drop while you are working your notice period, and make sure you thank those who have been there for you over the time of your employment. After all you never know what the future holds, and you could find yourself crossing paths again!
The worries you have about resigning should never be eclipsed by the bigger picture of your personal and career growth, putting yourself first isn’t always easy but it is necessary. It is more than likely that your manager/s and colleagues will support you in your choices and stay in touch to celebrate success in the future!
