So, you’ve made the decision to quit your job, but you haven’t yet told your boss, because you’re not entirely sure how.
Yes, you may be a little over them, but you also don’t want to burn any bridges. And also, you’ll probably need a letter of reference from them at some stage. So, you know what you really need to do is write a kickarse resignation letter.
Easier said than done… or written? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Mamamia‘s People and Culture Manager, Nicolle Stuart and Talent Acquisition Specialist, Deborah Francis know all too well the importance of a ‘good’ resignation.
How to quit: before your formal resignation letter.
“Resigning is not easy; the stress and anxiety effects people, more than it should,” says Nicolle.
“I always recommend checking the period you’re obliged to give notice, and then, with the right timing, verbally resigning to your manager first. Talk them through your reasons and thank them.
“Managers (even the not-so-great ones) will always have taught you valuable lessons, and good managers will have spent a great deal of time training you, helping you problem solve and focusing on your development.”
Nicolle recommends once that conversation happens, you should follow it up in writing.
What to avoid when resigning.
While it can be hard to tell your manager you are resigning, Deborah says you should avoid being emotional.
“Avoid swearing, yelling, crying, calling your boss and teammates names, and please avoid gossiping during your notice period and spreading the negativity.”
How to write your resignation letter.
Deborah says your resignation should be short and to the point.
“It needs to include your official resignation date and your final working day according to your contract. Including a thank you is also appropriate.”
“You don’t need to go into detail as to why you are resigning, those conversations usually happen when you initially chat with your manager and with HR in the exit interview process,” says Deborah.
How to address your resignation letter.
“The structure of the letter is quite simple. Address it to your manager, let them know the date you will be finishing up and again. This can be addressed to your direct manager and/or the organisation.”
How to end your resignation letter.
Nicole says you should end a resignation letter by saying thank you, which is a vital thing people often miss.
“The line could be: ‘I would like to thank the organisation/company for my time here, I have learnt a great deal and am very appreciative of the opportunities I had while employed’.”
Nicolle also suggests including at the end of your resignation letter an offer of assistance as a goodwill gesture, such as “Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist in the transition.”
A resignation letter template.
Here’s a sample resignation letter.
