Resignation Advice

Firstly, make sure you are resigning for the right reasons. Many people resign without thinking through their actions.  100 percent of employers will ask why you left your last job; ensure you are doing the right thing. Also, find another position to go to first. 

Check your contract

You will need to check your contract to see what your notice period is. If you are still on probation, you are most likely able to terminate the contract with immediate effect. .

The majority of employers will ask you to give between two and four week's notice before you leave.

You are legally obliged to work your notice unless you can get your employer to waive it. Working your notice with good grace is advised.

You will be more confident if you know where you stand legally. You can seek help from your Citizens Advice Bureau.

Arrange a meeting with your Manager

Ask a friend to help you prepare your speech, and practice with them.

Never make your resignation speech personal.

Before the meeting, try to anticipate your managers’ reaction and prepare your responses

Be positive about the time you have worked for them and remember you may need a reference from them. Thank them for the opportunities they have provide you with and try to mention something specific you will miss.

Your manager may get you to tell your real reasons for resigning, if there are other personal reasons (e.g. not getting along with co-workers or managers) make sure you keep the same story. If you begin to reveal problems with colleagues it may affect the reference you get.

Be prepared for a counter offer and when it comes, be ready to reinforce the fact that you would like them to respect your decision.

Counter offers

If you do receive a counter offer just remember:

Persuading you to stay may be cheaper than recruiting your replacement - so for your company, it’s not about you - it’s sound economics.

89% of employees that accept a counter offer, leave within the next 6 months anyway.

Writing your resignation letter

When writing this letter, include the following:

Date, your name, managers’ name, notice of termination of employment, when that will be effective from, details of the notice period and sign it.

You can also include positive comments about your time there, if they are genuine.
It is also a good idea to mention you will finish any outstanding work and that you want to help make this move go smoothly.

Always keep a copy of the letter for yourself.

Exit Interviews

Few employers operate exit interviews as a policy. Others may offer you one for a number of reasons. An exit interview is not an entitlement, however, if you have something to say then you may ask for one.

Exit interviews are used to provide constructive feedback to your employer; this is so they can learn from your experience of working with them.

Some employers will take the feedback seriously and will make changes in regards to what has been said.

If you have only been at the company for a short period of time, resist the “if I ran the company” phrase.

Prepare your comments before the interview, and make sure they are specific. Do not mention other employees in your feedback as they have to carry on working at the company. If you feel that your employer has done something wrong, make sure you provide an example and how you feel it could have been done differently. 

Working your notice

Remember to agree your salary settlement with your manager so you know what to expect.

Work hard to finish any outstanding work. Do not leave any unwanted surprises as this could affect the reference you get.

If you have been with the company a long time, say goodbye to co-workers individually, they will appreciate the effort.