how to quit a job

Hey guys,

There has been alot of job talk lately. So I thought I would throw my situation in the stack. I have been at the same position for about 3 years now. First job out of college, so it has some sentimental value...but things have taken a turn straight to...well not good

So I have a new job offer that looks to be better in just about every way except the commute (hmmm...which could lead to a future what car thread) and I am going to take it.

So how does one bow out professionally? I have always been told not to burn bridges etc...though I would really like everyone to know how I feel, I need to save some grace. My first thought was to grab my old guitar and sing a little Johnny Paycheck, but I need to save a little grace.

Any advice for a first time quitter?

a simple, honest letter to your boss stating that your last day will be 2 weeks form whatever day your handing it in is usually sufficient. You should deliver it by hand though.

Simple, ask your boss for a few minutes of his time because you would like to discuss something with him.

Once you get some 1-on-1 time with him, just lay out the typical, "I've really enjoyed the opportunity to begin my career here, etc etc etc.....but there is another opportunity that I would like to pursue outside the company. So I am giving you my 'two weeks notice.'"

Then you follow that up with an email to your boss and to his boss/VP/President whomever else your boss says the notice needs to go to.

^ Yep.

If by "like everyone to know how I feel" you mean you want to vent your spleen about it, this isn't the time. If they have an exit interview, and they ask for feedback, maybe you can broach the subject of what you feel has gone wrong, but I'd be very careful about that. It's a matter of judgement as to whether that's likely to be taken as constructive feedback and put to good use, or just be taken badly and result in an effectively scorchy bridge.

yes.. being straightforward about leaving is the best advice. I know it is hard, been there, done that.. but it is something that is best done straight up.

I would write a letter and , have a one on one chat with my boss and hand him/her the letter and move on.

OR this is what I might do this time.... (NSFW)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BKYSt0_2cE

Paul B

trend today is to instantly walk anyone out who hands in notice. Don't be offended, it's a corporate lawyer thing.

Hell they'll even walk you out if my company find out you have been interviewing anywhere else.. No loyalty to the great corporate god, no job...

As noted earlier, if you plan to turn in two weeks' notice do it in writing and hand deliver it. That way your boss can't claim you blindsided him/her/it and in the future you may need the reference. What's that saying: 'the toes you step on today could be connected to the ass you need to kiss tomorrow'.

I recently changed jobs. I actually told my boss about the interview before I had it, but that I was optimistic about the prospect and allowed my boss to guide the Q&A to get the information she thought was important about why I would resign. I was offered the job the day of the interview, and I gave a 30 day notice, which my boss cut down to 16. This does require an environment that has a basic level of trust. I wouldn't recommend that you not CYA if you feel like you need to with a written notice of resignation. Someone above mentioned the trend is to fire anyone who gives notice, which strikes me as strange advice for an attorney to give, but if they did I would think they would still pay you for those two weeks notice you gave.

The only recommendation I have is not to burn bridges and be a gent about things, you can never have too many people who think highly of you, no matter what profession you're in. Even if you don't like your boss or their management style, or you've been screwed over or out of something, it is likely never going to change, and there's not much productive that can come from even the most appropriately worded insights in to workplace toxicity.

Whatever you do, don't burn bridges. It's an amazingly small world!

The advice about having a letter is fine, but don't just write a resignation letter and send that to your boss. You have to tell him face to face. Just go in, ask if he has a minute and tell him "I've received an offer from another company and I'm going to take it." Tell him you're giving two weeks to help get everyone up to speed on what you've been working on/train a replacement. You can tell him you've enjoyed working for him, wish him and the company luck, etc or you can just leave it at that and see where the conversation goes.

Do this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NisCkxU544c

dj06482 wrote: Whatever you do, don't burn bridges. It's an amazingly small world!

This!

It does bother me when people who are dissatisfied with their job have an exit interview and never express their dissatisfaction. A company should know why they're driving their employees elsewhere.

I'm sure there is a tactful way to do this.

Ignorant wrote: trend today is to instantly walk anyone out who hands in notice. Don't be offended, it's a corporate lawyer thing. Hell they'll even walk you out if my company find out you have been interviewing anywhere else.. No loyalty to the great corporate god, no job...

Hahaha, loyal to the corporate overlord... Corporations would cut anyone loose if they could save a dollar a year with a new hire. It's "just business," nothing personal.

In the past, just giving the 2wks notice was enough. Ain't so true anymore..

Give the notice, but lie about the job. Tell them you're leaving to work on a communal farm, or taking care of your sick relative that's going to give you a million dollars in the will or something. Don't ever let your feudal lord know that you're moving to a new fief.

Also, don't leave unless you've already got the new job in hand. Last time I tried to leave mine on my own, I needed to have some "references". The best ones I could find had been informed that they couldn't do it for me without running it by Human Resources first.

HR. Your enemy from resume to retirement...

Donebrokeit wrote: OR this is what I might do this time.... (NSFW) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BKYSt0_2cE Paul B

We definetly do

it's a business deal.. tell your boss that you have a new job and that you are out in 2 weeks.

friedgreencorrado wrote: HR. Your enemy from resume to retirement...

Ugh... So true. You'd think that a Math major with an Econ minor and a Business Admin minor would be qualified for a "Business internship" in which they are taking Business, Economics, and Management majors. But the HR drones wouldn't even let my resume past the first round. I got in contact with the person who actually would be my boss, he said that I was certainly qualified, and probably more qualified than most candidates. But I couldn't get past the stupid HR idiots.

Turns out I wasn't interested in the job anyways, but man does it piss you off.

MitchellC wrote: It's "just business," nothing personal.

Just a side note, If you want to know the true meaning of that phrase; go manage a bunch of very angry union guys. They'll scream in your face for days and then one day they'll turn around and say, "You know you're doing a really great job.." Then they'll go back to screaming.

A friend of mine worked for a chicken restaurant in high school. One day his managers were being total shiny happy people, so he opened the drains on the fryers (with them still on) and dumped all the hot oil onto the kitchen floor and left. Don't do that.

Yeah, don't resign until you have the new job totally agreed to from both sides. Write a polite, brief letter stating the date you're giving notice, the effective date of your resignation, and thanking them for the opportunities they've given you. 2 weeks is plenty unless you are a really key player in the current company. Have that letter written and in your pocket when you ask to talk to the boss for a minute. Basically, restate the letter face to face, then hand him the written copy for record.

Don't get too far into why, and don't get too emotional. As others have said, if there is an exit interview, that is the time to politely explain why you decided to leave. Again, don't get emotional, and definitely avoid blaming anyone in particular. Just explain that the current direction the company seems to be taking is not a good fit with your personal desires and goals.

But BEFORE you do all that, take anything you want in the way of files or record copies of stuff you did there - BUT remember it's for your own reference only, as a way of reminding yourself of your own past experiences. It's totally uncool to steal resources or intellectual property that belong to the company you're leaving. I know it sounds like I've contradicted myself, but not really. You need to be honest with yourself and maintain your integrity.

Do you have PTO? Feel like making some cash?

Say you have 2 weeks vacation saved up. Take it. All at once. Use it during the first two weeks at your new job.

Double pay! PROFIT!

I'm usually on the receiving end, but agree with the advice to just have a conversation with your boss. Just tell him you had a great opportunity that you don't feel you can pass on. It's been a great job and thank you for the opportunity to get my career started. My last day will be X (two weeks later unless there is a company policy).

I only ask people to leave immediately under two circumstances- they're getting fired for cause or they're going to a direct competitor. Otherwise I appreciate a couple of weeks to make plans for getting everything done when they leave.

The immediate boot is usually when IT's involved.

2 weeks gives a disgruntled tech a LOT of time to set up some nasty surprises on the corporate network.

Regarding the vacation time, at least in California you'll get a check cut for any vacation time you have when you leave. You don't have to "burn it" before you quit. Sick time, on the other hand, you have to use or lose.