How to Quit Your Job

Congratulations on your decision to advance your career. Now you have to tell your current boss. Breaking up may be hard to do, but this is business, not personal. A good supervisor will support your growth even when it is with another company. Here are five easy ways to help ensure a smooth resignation and transition process and prepare for any bumps in the road.

1. Be Decisive
Commit to your decision to invest in your personal and professional development and move on. Your employer may try to entice you to stay, but counter offers always have consequences, including your ongoing job dissatisfaction.

2. Be Professional
Prepare and sign a formal resignation letter. Make a list of your most critical duties and training suggestions to ensure a smooth hand-off as you exit the company. Meet with your supervisor to inform him/her that you will be leaving the company to pursue a growth opportunity that is not available within your current organization. Submit your resignation letter and offer to go over your transition plan.

3. Be Prepared
Though uncommon, a manager may take resignation personally and react poorly when an employee decides to move on. In these instances, separation may be immediate, but you can protect yourself in advance. When accepting an offer from a new employer, discuss the flexibility of your start date in the event your notice period is not accepted by your current manager. Employers are usually thrilled to accommodate an earlier start date if needed.

4. Be Firm
If your current employer had seen your potential, they would have promoted you already. The circumstances that led you to this decision still exist. Stand firm in your commitment to advance professionally and avoid the farewell fanfare. Stick to your transition plan and support your soon-to-be former coworkers so you can convert them into future references. Avoid counteroffer talks and focus on the future. This is, after all, about where you’re going.

5. Be Present
It may be tempting to slack during your last days with an employer, but don’t blow a good run by “phoning it in” for the final stretch. You worked hard to make a good first impression on your boss, work harder to make an even better final one. Follow through on transitioning your responsibilities to teammates and support them through your final day. These people are all networking contacts and potential references.