“I quit”. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? And you so wish that you could tell that to your boss’ startled face, and make him squirm in his place, that you cannot wait for him to reach office the day you got a new job offer finalized. But wait! Hold those horses. They are about to drag you into a very undesirable and painful situation – unpleasant and undignified resignation. Maintaining dignity in resignation is a rare quality and it helps a lot. It is a small corporate world and you may come face to face with your boss or your ex-colleagues anytime. And you cannot expect yourself to be in control all these times. Alternatively, you would also not want to ruin your chances completely with this organisation. What if you are required to come back in a better capacity? So learn a few tricks of the trade and stay in the good books of people even after you are long gone from the organisation.
How To Resign From A Job
Take Your Time
Never rush up with the decision. There may be a lot of reasons why you want to move on—personal or professional. But before you take a final call make sure it is not your emotions but your pragmatism that drives you. Make a list of trade-offs—the things that you’ll lose and the ones that you’ll gain—from this decision.
Have A Support
Never ever plan or even think of resigning before you have a decent and reliable job in hand. Resignation is a crucial decision and may prove very difficult to withdraw, so make sure you have your act right from the beginning.
Think It Over
You cannot turn to your boss or colleagues—no matter how considerate he is—for suggestions on whether or not to change your job. Keep that gratitude under wraps. Remember it is an emotion and emotions will make you hazy. This is your decision and you have to take friends and family in your stride while deciding on what to do.
Don’t Shout From Roof Tops
Even if you have other options available, do not disclose too much to your colleagues before handing in your resignation letter. Speaking of resigning is as good as handing in the papers. Plus, speaking in advance may make the attitude of your employers and colleagues to change towards you and working there would become unbearable, thus leading you to a hasty decision.
Make Arrangements
Once you have decided to resign, it is only prudent that you clear your system of all your personal files and make copies of all the work that you might need in future. You should be ready for adverse consequences just in case your employer turns unprofessional.
Resign In Writing
Write a resignation letter with the date. Take two copies of this letter to your employer personally and get one copy signed as an acknowledgement of receipt. Also make sure you mail him the same copy to maintain a soft record of resignation at your end.
Be Prepared For Reactions
With all the documents ready, when you approach your boss to make the final conversation about resigning, expect anything under the sun. You can be greeted with surprise, indifference or even insolence. You might as well be faced with a counter-offer. You need not give in to the temptation and take time to think over it. Weigh your alternatives in the light of the reason you have for quitting your job.
Stay Professional
Resigning does not mean dispensing off all the responsibilities that you have for your company. Serve your notice period and even during that you must make sure that you complete all your tasks with utmost precision and finesse.
Refrain From Bad-Mouthing
You may be leaving the organisation but make sure you stay away from the temptation of having the last word or giving a piece of your mind to your boss or colleagues. It is a small professional world and you may bump into former colleagues and may also need them at times. Face your exit interview with grace and dignity.
References
Make sure you have all the references for future jobs. Have a copy of experience letter and reference letter signed by your immediate boss and store it in your personal file.
The Last Day
Make your last day a big day and treat your team or colleagues to a lunch or sweets depending upon your mood. Return people’s things and distribute things you wouldn’t require in your new job. Don’t even think about carrying anything that is not yours – not even a pencil.
Stay Cordial
Maintain cordial relations with your colleagues even when not physically present at the job. Message them and mail them often so that the relation never gathers dust.
