GIVING NOTICE

Giving notice can be the hardest part of making a career change.  Fear of giving notice alone can keep one from making the wonderful career switch that they are so excited about.

We will walk you through the steps of preparing to give notice to your current employer.  These steps include determining when to give your notice, how to give your notice, and what to include in your letter of resignation.   The goal when giving notice is to make the separation as painless and as seamless as possible. 

Step 1:  When to give your notice

After you accept an offer, most of our candidates are elated until they realize they have to give notice to their current employer.  Don’t put it off!  The best time to give notice is always as soon as possible after the written offer is accepted.  If you can choreograph it, and often we can, the best time to give notice is Monday or Tuesday in the afternoon around 4:00 pm.  If you give your notice late in the day, you won’t have to spend the rest of the day answering questions about why you are leaving and where you are going. 

Before you meet with your manager, tell a couple people that you have accepted an offer for a new opportunity. 

Step 2:  How to give your notice

Have an opening statement prepared for your meeting.  You want to get right to the point without unnecessary small talk.  This statement will also make it clear you are not there to talk about your decision to leave but how to make your transition as smooth as possible.   Example:

“Employer’s name, I have made a commitment to join another company.  May last day will be on _________ (two weeks from today).  My decision is irrevocable and I would like to discuss how we can make my transition as smooth as possible for you and the company.”

This meeting should not turn into an exit interview.  If you are asked about the details of your offer, simply say “I am not at liberty to discuss it.”  You may have to reiterate that you have made a commitment to another company but you are going to spend the next two weeks dedicating your time and efforts to a smooth and comfortable transition. 

This is not the time to vent or burn any bridges with your manager!

If your manager asks you to keep your resignation quiet for a few days, he/she is stalling for time to come up with a counteroffer.  This is why you should tell at least a couple people your good news before you meet with your manager.  You can now honestly say that you have already told a couple people.  By doing this, you are letting them know you do not want a counteroffer and you will not accept one. 

Close the meeting by handing your letter of resignation to the manager and leaving. 

Step 3:  Writing a letter of resignation

The best resignation letters are simple and get directly to the point.  You can use subtle subtext to help ensure the risk of a counteroffer is reduced.  Here is a letter that can be used verbatim.

Dear (employer’s name),

 

Please accept this letter as my official notice of resignation.  I appreciate the work we have been able to accomplish together at (company name), but I have now made a commitment to another organization and will begin with them in two weeks.

 

Know that it is my intention to work diligently with you and the company to wrap up as much as possible in the next two weeks to make my resignation as smooth as possible.  If you have any suggestions on how we can best accomplish that goal, I hope you will share your thoughts with me, as I am eager to leave on the most positive note possible.

 

Sincerely,

 

employee

The letter contains the same information you will be giving the manager in the meeting but it will go into your employee file.   For that reason, it is important to state that you want to make the transition as smooth as possible and will work diligently towards that goal. 

Conclusion:

Don’t let the fact that you have to give notice to your manager take away from the excitement of getting a new opportunity.  By preparing what information you are going to give your manager and how you are going to present it, you are taking steps to make the announcement painless and the separation a smooth one! 

Congratulations on your new career opportunity!