Once a new job has been accepted, you need to consider is the timing of your
resignation. Since two weeks’ notice is considered the norm, make sure your
resignation properly coincides with your start date at the new company.
Try
to avoid an extended start date. Even if your new job begins in 10 weeks, don’t
give 10 weeks’ notice; wait eight weeks and then give two weeks’ notice. This
way, you’ll protect yourself from disaster, in the unlikely event your new
company announces a hiring freeze a month before you come on board. By staying
at your old job for only two weeks after you’ve announced your resignation, you
won’t be subjected to the envy, scorn, or feelings of professional impotence
that may result from your new role as a lame-duck employee.
Some companies
will make your exit plans for you. I know a candidate whose employer had the
security guard escort him out of the building the moment he announced his
intention to go to work for a direct competitor. Fortunately, he was still given
two weeks’ pay.
Your resignation should be handled in person, preferably on
a Friday afternoon. Ask your direct supervisor if you can speak with him
privately in his office. When you announce your intention to resign, you should
also hand your supervisor a letter which states your last date of employment
with the company. Let him know that you’ve enjoyed working with him, but that an
opportunity came along that you couldn’t pass up, and that your decision to
leave was made carefully, and doesn’t reflect any negative feelings you have
toward the company or the staff.
You should also add that your decision is
final, and that you would prefer not to be made a counteroffer, since you
wouldn’t want your refusal to accept more money to appear as a personal affront.
Let your supervisor know that you appreciate all the company’s done for you; and
that you’ll do everything in your power to make your departure as smooth and
painless as possible.
Finally, ask if there’s anything you can do during the
transition period over the next two weeks, such as help train your successor,
tie up loose ends, or delegate tasks.
Keep your resignation letter short,
simple, and to the point. There’s no need to go into detail about your new job,
or what led to your decision to leave. If these issues are important to your old
employer, he’ll schedule an exit interview for you, at which time you can hash
out your differences ad infinitum. Be sure to provide a photocopy
of your resignation letter for your company’s personnel file. This way, the
circumstances surrounding your resignation will be well documented for future
reference.
No comments:
Post a Comment