How to Hand in Your Resignation Notice
Resigning from a job can be a challenging and uncomfortable experience, particularly as it’s not something most of us do regularly. Because of this many people are unsure how to best approach this process. Though you might wish you could slip quietly out the back door without anyone noticing, it’s important for both your reputation and your future career prospects that you put in the effort to smooth the transition and leave on a high note.
If you’re looking to make a change in your career (or perhaps have a new job opportunity lined up already) these useful tips on how to resign successfully can make all the difference to your ongoing career success.
Identifying Your Next Move
To begin with, it’s important to know if you will be in a position to take a career break while job searching, or if you need to have a new job set up before you leave your current one. Think about the type of role you’re looking for: identify your non-negotiables and determine whether you need additional experience. Don’t forget to consider other details such as timing, the possible competition for your desired role and how you will fill any career gaps in your CV. For example, you may consider taking on a contract role with a construction project to gain some skills and experience in the interim period.
In addition, be prepared for a counteroffer from your current employer in an effort to convince you to stay. Know what’s important to you and consider the reasons you wanted to resign in the first place; this will help you make your decision.
Handing in Your Resignation
When it’s time to officially resign, it’s best to schedule a time to have a one-on-one chat with your manager (before talking to the rest of the team). This gives you the chance to discuss your resignation with them, talk about the reasons and exactly when you will leave, and make a plan for the transition – including the announcement to the rest of the team and how you may be involved in getting things ready for the next person. Make sure you go into the meeting fully prepared, with a clear idea of how you will approach the subject, what you will say and how you will respond to any questions the manager has.
Follow up the meeting by emailing your manager to provide a written resignation letter and confirm the details from the meeting.
Even if the role has been less than perfect, don’t forget to express gratitude before you go. There is always something good to focus on – whether it’s skills gained, friends made or valuable experience you can apply to future jobs.
Easing the Transition
Where possible (and appropriate), being flexible can make a resignation go smoother. For example, your manager may ask you to stay a bit longer to help find/train your replacement. While there’s no rule saying you have to agree to this, it is a great way to create goodwill. Any reasonable requests made by your manager in the notice period are worth considering, but they may not always be feasible – such as when you have already committed to a start date at a new job.
Although the minimum amount of notice will be set out in your employment contract, another way to be flexible is to provide a little extra notice where possible to give your employer more time to prepare for your departure. During your notice period, do what you can to tie up any loose ends to make everything as simple as possible for your replacement.
Keeping in Touch with Your Contacts
Your professional connections are some of the most valuable things you can take with you when you leave a job, so it’s crucial to remain positive throughout the experience and end on a high note.
One of the best ways to achieve this is to be helpful both before and after departure, such as by offering tips learned in your role or sharing industry news. Don’t forget to say farewell to everyone and provide your contact details so they can keep in touch. After all, you never know when these connections may come in handy. Connect on LinkedIn and ask for recommendations for your profile, or just send them an email to check in every once and a while.
Summary
Leaving your job can run the gambit from rewarding to taxing. You may be moving on to learn new skills, boost your career or simply because you’re unhappy – no matter the reason, be sure to maintain good relationships with your employers and give due consideration to everyone in the business. In the end, the benefits for your career will be worth the extra effort.
For more resignation tips or to find out about the best construction jobs available right now, get in touch with the Construction Recruitment experts at Consultive.