Thinking of handing in your notice at work? Maybe a dream job came up, or maybe things just didn’t work out. Here are some ways to end your current employment on a high note (and get a good reference)
Before you take the big step
Preparing to hand in your resignation is like the Green Cross Code – STOP. LOOK. LISTEN.
Before you take the plunge, consider:
Is leaving the only option?
Have you tried everything possible to make it work and shared your concerns and problems with your boss? For example, if you were hoping for more responsibility or you’re struggling with colleagues, raising this with your manager could result in quick fixes to turn your current job into one you’d like to stay in after all.
Are you feeling fast and furious?
Emotions can cloud our judgements, make sure you are making decisions based on facts and not as a quick reaction to something. Really think about your decision and sleep on it, we can all feel like we hate our jobs on a cold rainy Monday morning but how are you feeling Wednesday lunch time catching up with colleagues?
Do you know what will happen next?
It’s good to look before you leap. Have you got another job to go to, plans for further education? Can you still afford things like rent and bills? If you’re not sure what your future looks like, research ways to land on your feet. Seek new jobs to apply for. Hand in your notice at a time that works best for you.
Handing in your notice face-to-face
So you’ve made the big decision, now you need to follow the process through. Check your notice period in your contract and be prepared to hand in your resignation. If you aren’t feeling up to it or it isnt possible to hand in your resignation face to face you can send a (really good) letter of resignation by email. Otherwise, it makes you look courageous, respectful and all the good things if you tell your boss face-to-face. Here are some things to keep in mind:’
Pick the right time
DON’T tell anyone before you tell your boss (unless you’re happy for it to be the hottest topic in town). Your boss will appreciate it if they’re the first to know, not the last.
DON’T hand in your notice on Monday morning, Friday afternoon or in the middle of a work crisis.
DO choose a quiet moment to ask your boss if you can have a private chat at a time that works for them. That way they know you’ve got something important on your mind and can suggest a time when they can give you their full attention.
Be prepared
Plan what you want to say – you don’t have to say why you’re leaving if you don’t want to.
What if your boss wants to offer you a promotion or pay rise to keep you when you hand in your notice? This is called a “counter offer”. Have a think about what you would do before the situation crops up. If do they make this kind of offer (because they can see your true value, obviously) then ask for a couple of days to think it over if you’re not sure.
Be positive
If you can, find positive things to say to your boss about your experiences with the company. Offer positive reasons for leaving, like “I’ve had a great time working with you all and learned so much but a dream job came up that seemed like an important next step in my career so I had to take a chance and go for it.”
Remember, there is always something good you can say about the company. If you do choose to give critical feedback for any reason, aim to make it fact based, constructive and polite.
Handing in a letter of resignation
You can email your letter or print it out for your boss – these days, email is usually fine.
In a standard letter of resignation you will usually:
- Tell your employer you’re resigning from your current role
- Say when you’re leaving
- Keep things polite and to-the-point
- Express how grateful you are for a great experience and opportunity – you really appreciate your time spent with the company
- Offer to help in any way you can to make transition easier during your remaining working period.
IMPORTANT:
Every job has a working notice period which you are legally bound to. If you are working your full notice, that’s fine. But what if you’re leaving ASAP for personal reasons or because of a new job starting soon? If you can’t work your full notice period you’ll have to ask your employer for permission first.
After you’ve handed in your notice
The deed is done! Hopefully it went well and your boss was nice about it. Here are some final top tips for when you’re working off your remaining time with the company:
Try not to gloat, even if you’re happy about leaving. You might be happy but your team mates will be sad and don’t forget that just because the role wasn’t for you it doesn’t mean it is a bad place to work!
Be on your very best behaviour. Now is not the time for late entrances and marathon lunch breaks. Be as helpful as you can. Don’t leave your team in the lurch, and make transition easy for everyone. Treat your last weeks like your first weeks on the job – aim to be hugely helpful and impress. Remember, these people could give you a rave reference when you leave.
Don’t trash talk your current company on social media or in future interviews. Just don’t. Don’t make new and potential employers feel like they might be on the receiving end one day. It will make them less joyful about hiring you.
Asking for references is a great idea for impressing future employers. Your boss or manager doesn’t legally have to give you a reference, and they can also give you a really boring one just saying you really did work for a set time in a set role. But if you’ve got a good relationship with them, they can write you a glowing reference that’s like a greatest hits compilation of your achievements and successes. So it’s worth leaving your job on a high note and staying friends all round!
Ambassador Story:
Our Youth Ambassador George tells his story about handing in his notice :
How did you hand in your notice and how did you find the experience?
“It was my first full time jobs and I joined the training company at the age of 16. I completed an apprenticeship and worked myself up to head of client services within 3 years. I used to say to people I would there be there for life and at the time I could never think of leaving let alone speaking to an employer. Over time I began to get demotivated in my role, I knew I had reached the furthest I could go within the organisation. Handing in my notice was easily one of the most worrying and exciting stages of my life. It wasn’t just a job, it felt like family I had grown up with from the age of 16 until 19. Once I handed my notice in I felt a lot better in myself as I made sure I left the company on the best terms possible and I still regularly meet up with the staff and my director”.
Looking back on it, are there any tips or advice you would give to other young people who might have to go through this in the future?
“My tip would be that when you first debate leaving your organisation speak to someone you have worked with a long period of time or someone who knows you as a person and what you thrive off. I believe if I would of done this when I first started debating leaving I would be further in my career however now I have done it I can see how bright the future really looks for me.”
Next Steps:
- Whether you’ve got your next steps sussed for you need some help our careers hub can help you navigate your next steps
- No matter what your future holds one thing that remains a certainty is hat you’ll needs skills to get there. Become a young professional here.
- Looking to gain experience and do some good? Sign up to ambassador programme here
