Career Management: When to Leave Your Job/How to Resign

​You may have heard rumors that your company is merging; perhaps you're going through some rough spots as you proceed to this year's performance goals; or you may not be getting along with your new manager; maybe you're bored.

Whether these concerns or others have you thinking about moving on from your job, it's important to make absolutely sure that now is the right time to go.
Common Symptoms
In alphabetical order, here are common emotions that can preclude a decision to leave.
  • Anger: this shouldn’t be happening – especially to me 
  • Complacent / bored 
  • Confident: I’m good at what I do; I can probably do better elsewhere 
  • Confused: is this all there is? 
  • Curious: I wonder what’s out there? 
  • Denial: this will pass and everything will be fine (that may be true) 
  • Frustrated 
  • Overwhelmed 
  • Scared: difficult to see options for the future 
  • Stagnant / unmotivated 
  • Surprised: I was so happy – what happened?
What is Important to Your Decision?
While in school we regularly learn; are challenged with new assignments, and make regular progress that is gauged by teachers. Without progressing in our challenges and responsibilities in our work world, we may outgrow what we're doing. In the world of work, progress is self-directed, and that involves reflection, awareness, and taking initiative on our own behalf.
  • What are your "symptoms" of dissatisfaction? (see above)
  • What can you identify as the causes of your dissatisfaction?
  • Are the causes external, such as company mergers and acquisitions?
  • Are the causes internal, such as performing work that's no longer viewed by you as a solid match for your professional goals?
  • Do you need to gather more information to verify your hunches about what is happening?
  • Do you have the tools to make a decision about whether to stay or leave?
  • Are you ready to take action?
Options
  • Stay at current position – determine what you can learn while you are there. If you decide to stay, have a positive attitude about your commitment. This chapter leads you to a career move somewhere further along your path – enjoy this journey.
  • Stay at current company – in a different position (design a plan to make a move) – determine what you can learn
  • Move to another position and company

While you Decide
Continue doing your best on your current job; you’re building your professional reputation, and you take your reputation and accomplishments everywhere

Sketch a timeline for implementing your decision
When You Decide it's Time to Go
  • Ask your manager for a brief meeting and suggest a convenient time to meet privately.
  • Practice your verbal resignation with a friend if needed. Remember, this is an important business conversation, not an emotional  one. It's understandable to feel anxious, but keep everything professional.
  • Put your resignation in writing and address it to your manager. This is simply a brief confirmation of your conversation.
  • Give at least two weeks' notice.
  • Contemplate your current work and be ready to discuss what you'll be able to complete, and suggest how you can transition unfinished work to others.
  • Bring your letter of resignation to the transition meeting and leave it with your manager.
  • You'll likely need a reference from your manager in the future, so focus your verbal and written resignation on positive aspects of your tenure, such as what you have learned and the career progress you've made. Express your thanks for having had the opportunity to work with your team and organization.
  • Select a date for your final day of work. Within some companies it's possible you'll be asked to leave earlier, due to concern about computer access and sensitive or confidential information that former employees should not have admission to. This is a common occurrence and is not about you personally.
It's not necessary to relate where you'll be working next, though if no hard feelings exist from either party, such an admission is often looked upon by your former employer as a positive step for your personal career growth.

Leaving
  • Recognize that it’s alright to move on
  • Make your typical self-care rituals an even higher priority, though you will likely be busier than ever
  • Be certain to have a support system in place
  • Get ready to let go of a position/company/colleagues that have been important to you
  • Get ready for the experience of a new position/company/colleagues, and the positive return on your investment in them
  • Be patient: it may take longer than you think to implement your decision
Adapted from material that originally appeared in the University of Illinois Alumni Association's Virtual Career Center
© 2020, Julie L Bartimus Consulting, Naperville, Illinois