Resignation Guidance

Resigning from your job -A guide to help you through

Having confirmed all the details of your new job and thoroughly reading your new contract (which needs to be returned in good time), you are now in a position to resign from your existing company.

Candidates often go through a range of emotions when reaching this important juncture, particularly if you have been with your present company for some time, there could be many emotional attachments, but our advice is to act as quickly as possible. There will have been several reasons why you have decided to move on but you need to have the courage of your convictions and act decisively. It is only fair to your existing employer to give them as much time as possible to implement the change and manage your departure.

Be sure to read your existing contract thoroughly and be prepared (where possible) to offer to work your full notice
Write a brief letter to the manager, formally resigning and inserting the leaving date according to your contract. There is no need to go into detail, just a short typed note thanking them for the time you have spent with the organisation. Never use a resignation letter as an opportunity to air grievances as the best advice is never to burn bridges, as you do not know what will happen in the future.
Make an early appointment with your line manager and hand over the letter, explaining that you have made the decision to leave the company. Most of the time, it will be for career reasons but again, be as positive as possible because there is little point in parting on bad terms.

Counter offers

It is not unusual for your employer to attempt to keep you by presenting you with a counter offer. Ask yourself why you made the decision to leave in the first place. It is usually easier and cheaper for your employer to keep you but has the situation really changed? A salary increase is always very welcome, but has it addressed the real issues? Will your employer ever see you in the same light again. Will you be penalised in the future? (e.g. overlooked for future promotions?). Research shows that employees who decide to accept a counter offer normally leave the same employer within 12 months. Finally, your new company will also be smarting and you will almost certainly have burnt your bridges there.

Leave with integrity

Wherever possible, work your complete notice (unless amicably agreed with your current employer). Complete all existing tasks and projects to the best of your ability and be pro-active in the handover of work to your colleagues or your replacement. Speak to all your direct work colleagues and be supportive as many may be sorry to see you go.

Ensure that all the financial details are in order and any holiday entitlements or outstanding payments are reconciled.