What Is the Right Way to Quit Your Job?

Receiving a job offer is exciting, but it can also be intimidating. In addition to starting over in a new place, you have the added fear of quitting your current job. And the way in which you quit matters. You should do your best to preserve your relationship with your employer, regardless of your history together. In the future, their opinion of you could help or hurt your career.

The Wrong Way to Quit

If you don't want to leave your job by burning any bridges, you need to quit with care. To better understand how to quit, you should know how not to quit your job.

You Wait for the Last Minute to Give Notice

If you're nervous about how your boss will react to the news, you might put off quitting as long as you can. Unfortunately, prolonging the inevitable leads to trouble. It leaves your employer scrambling to fill the position, which means they won't feel good about your departure. Pick a day and a time to break the news and keep it in the new future.

You Give a Long List of Reasons

If you're leaving one job for another, there's probably a good reason for it. As much as you might want to insult a narcissistic manager or send a scathing email to a supervisor, avoid the temptation. There's nothing wrong with a few words of constructive criticism, but don't overdo it.

You Ignore Your Co-Workers

If there were a few co-workers you connected with, inform them of the news. After you tell your boss, speak with the people you worked with or liked the most. In the future, you may be able to use them as a reference or to learn about a new job opportunity. When you talk to them, ask for their emails and request to connect on social media.

You Let Your Employer Be the Last to Know

At the same time, don't let your employer hear about your departure through the grapevine. One of the most frustrating things for an employer is to learn from another source that an employee is leaving.

The Steps to Quitting

So what's the right way to quit? As you navigate these new waters, follow these guidelines:

1. Contact Your Direct Manager

If you don't work for a small company, you probably have a few supervisors and managers. Failing to contact the right one first could lead to bad blood. As a general rule, you should always contact your direct supervisor or manager first. Even if you have a close relationship with a higher level manager, your supervisor deserves to know first.

The next time you need a reference, your supervisor will remember how you quit. If they heard about it from someone else, your supervisor might not be so eager to help you. To keep your career on track, leave the workplace on good terms.

2. Explain Why You Accepted the Offer, and Not Why You're Leaving

You already know not to give your employer a long list of reasons you hated working for them. But you have to tell them something about your departure.

Instead of being negative, put a positive spin on the situation. Explain why you decided to accept the role with the company. For instance, you can explain how they have a unique training program or a chance to advance to a new role.

If possible, mention how your manager or company prepared you for the new position. Perhaps they gave you the confidence to reach higher or helped you improve on your weaknesses.

3. Create a Plan for Future Communications

Asking your manager for a way to communicate with them and the team comes with two benefits. First, it shows your interest in maintaining a relationship. Secondly, it gives the manager some control over the situation. Your departure could make them feel out of control, which often results in negative reactions.

If you hadn't thought much about communicating with your current team, you should know there's great value in maintaining a relationship. The stronger your network is, the more opportunities for career advancement you will have.

4. Offer to Help Find a Replacement

Because of the time you've spent in your role, you know what an ideal replacement for your position should have. Therefore, who better than you to find a replacement when you leave?

Your employer may not want your help, but it's beneficial to make the offer. Rather than be frustrated with you for the effort they need to expend in finding a suitable replacement, your employer can focus on their work while you find a replacement.

5. Write Out Your Current Responsibilities

When you leave, someone will need to continue on with your work. You can make the transition easier for your employer and the new employee by creating a list of your current projects.

Organize the list by weekly, monthly, and annual duties and projects. In doing so, you leave your position on a positive note. You also reduce the chance of having to deal with emails and phone calls long after you leave the position.

6. Offer to Train Someone

If your boss wants to temporarily fill your position with someone in the office, offer to train them. Use your list of duties and projects to simplify training. Instead of rushing to fill the position, your employer can take time to find a suitable applicant.

Once again, your employer might not take you up on this offer. Regardless, it's a step in the right direction and shows them that you care. One day, your eagerness to help may pay off.

7. Limit Your Excitement

As excited as you might be about the new position, don't showcase your enthusiasm in your current workplace. No matter how much effort you put into leaving on good terms, your departure is an inconvenience to your employer.

During your last few weeks on the job, be professional in the workplace. Contain your excitement for when you go home and when you start the new position.