How to Quit a Job: 15 Smart Ways to do it Gracefully

How to Quit a Job: 15 Smart Ways to do it Gracefully

Your reason for quitting your job may be because of poor salary, inability to move ahead, the depression your job causes you or a desire to switch to a new career.

Whatever your reason may be, you need to quit your job gracefully without burning bridges.

Those you are leaving behind at your office today may be the ones to help you tomorrow.

So, cheer up when leaving so they don’t assume you are quitting on a bad term and change their countenances towards you.

The decision to quit a job might seem difficult for you, your family, and your career.

Probably, when the urge to quit came on everything seemed disgusting and appeared unattractive, but instead of drastically quitting, there are smarter and better ways to do it so it won’t affect your future interactions with old colleagues.

Now, here are 15 smart ways you can use to gracefully quit your job:

1. Inform your boss first: If you have developed an intimate relationship with your supervisor or boss, you should let them know first before issuing the company formal notice, according to Anthony C. Klotz. Your boss will feel unhappy and worried hearing that you are resigning.

2. Give reasons for leaving: Your reason for leaving might be attributed to taking on a new profession or making a career growth.

Maybe you just want to see what other jobs have for you, a way you can make an impact in a different way, a desire to work at a place that sells product or renders the type of service you really like.

Giving reasons why you don’t like working there might be wrong, as you gain nothing from being negative about the organization and the people you are leaving.

3. Have plans and vision for the future: If you are deciding to quit your job without knowing where to go or plans and vision of how things will be, it is definitely too early to quit.

Regretting your decision and actions later when it is too late to reverse would totally result to a pitiful situation.

4. Transition responsibility: You have a responsibility of training your co-workers on necessary tasks and documenting important processes.

This might seem to be a daunting task, but you have to do it to hang off the ties that might associate with it later.

If don’t do this, you may be getting phone calls and emails for weeks or months after leaving your job, and your co-workers will really appreciate the documentation.

5. Treat the situation formally: After the decision to quit your job, you have to approach the situation formally.

This simply means tendering your resignation in writing and adhering to any guidelines in your employment contract.

Think about how you want to phrase your reasoning when writing your resignation letter.

It should not be a place to state workplace dissatisfaction even if that is the actual reason you are leaving.

Thank your employer for the time you have spent with them, and keep your letter neutral.

If you are leaving on good terms, do not hesitate to say so.

6. Never burn a bridge: You may not be happy with your current work, probably that’s the reason you want to quit, but you have to be in good terms with your co-workers.

According to Todd Dean, co-founder and CMO of Wirkn, “You may meet the individuals professionally some day tomorrow”.

7. Be positive: Being positive when discussing your resignation with co-workers is very important.

Instead of condemning the company, you should talk boldly about how the facility has helped you.

If you decide to be negative, you will lose good image of a faithful worker.

8. Get prepared: Cleaning up your computer before discussing your resignation will help you to delete some personal files and email messages.

Remove all your personal belongings out of the office desk drawer and get contact details of your well-wishers at the office as possible as you can.

9. Give prior notice: Giving a notice before quitting your job will give a clear expression of how grateful you are to the company and the staff in general.

If there is a rule that guides how someone should quit, abide by that rule or policy.

Two weeks notice is enough to give so they can find replacement before your departure.

10. Offer to get a substitute: Finding someone who will take your place might not be easy for your employers.

They may ask you to wait for a period of time so they can get some one in your place, but instead of waiting while they get a replacement by themselves, you may offer to help them with the assignment of getting someone and even go further to train the new person so that your leaving will be on good terms.

11. Write a resignation letter: Writing a resignation letter will make your leaving official and give support for maintaining a cordial relationship with your old employer.

You may need the assistance of your old employer tomorrow for reference, so you should take the time to write a formal resignation letter.

12. Choose appropriate time: Don’t choose a time when your boss is in an angry mood to give him/her your resignation letter.

Friday afternoon is the best time to do that – when he/she is wearing a smile on the face.

Morning is always a busy time, so it’s inappropriate to issue your letter at that time.

And make sure you deliver the letter by yourself.

13. Keep your departure secret: Most workers who quitted their job some time ago were tempted to explain every detail of their leaving, but that should not be so.

They would definitely ask you what your next action is going to be, but remember you are not under an obligation to explain your moves to everyone you see around.

14. Study employee handbook and benefits literature: There are dividend and allowance benefits your former company might reserve to pay you after resigning; some of them could be hospital attendance or vacation you didn’t go.

15. End up with a “thank you” slogan: Whether you are leaving on a good term or bad term, tell everyone, especially your supervisor how grateful you are for all what they have taught you over the years, how they have helped you in different ways, and some other positive ways they have made impacts on your life.

Conclusion

Time to quit a job is usually a time you may be tempted to say things you will regret later, but don’t give in to that.

It pays to leave gracefully and the ideas shared above will help you achieve it.