Informing your current employer of your resignation takes tact
and discretion
A Little Help Please
(Thoughts for a candidate on resigning)
by Jeff Skrentny, CPC/ CTS
Copyright (c) 2000, Jefferson Group Consulting
A candidate will need to write a letter of resignation and give
it to their boss to open the resignation meeting. I suggest a very
simple foursentence, twoparagraph letter of reference that is
direct and to the point. The letter reads like this:
Dear Boss,
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, or sooner if
the situation permits here.
Know that it is my intention to work diligently with you 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,
It is also no accident that "thank you" or "I'm sorry" does not
appear in this letter. There is nothing to say thank you or I'm
sorry for at this juncture in one's career. Yet, inappropriately,
that is how many resignation letters begin. Furthermore, candidates
giving notice must understand it is unprofessional and improper for
them to use the resignation letter to tell the current boss where
they are going, what they are doing in their next job, and/or how
much they are making.
I suggest that with the above letter in hand a candidate open
their resignation meeting conversation by saying:
"Boss, I have made a commitment to join another organization and
will begin working with them in two weeks, or sooner if the
situation here permits. Please accept this, my letter of
resignation. I would ask that you take a minute to read my letter
before we discuss together how we can make my transition as smooth
as possible."
Almost no boss in the world doesn't know what is about to happen
when their employee walks into their office with an envelope in
their hand. The opening gets right to the point without unnecessary
small talk. It also makes it clear you are not planning to talk
about your decision to leave. Instead, it is clear that what you
plan to discuss is the transition now that you have made a
commitment to leave. It makes the transition the most important
item to discuss in the conversation that is about to occur.
Every time the boss asks anything not related to ensuring a
smooth transition, a candidate should deflect the other questions
simply by saying:
"I know you may be curious about that, but it is not my
intention to discuss where I am going or why. My decision is made.
I have made a commitment to another organization. If it is really
important for you to know where I am going and why, let's talk
about it when it is not an emotional issue for us, say a month from
now. Today, my goal remains to discuss how to make the transition
as smooth as possible."
To help my candidates feel comfortable about using the above
deflector, I ask them why it is that on the day they give notice
suddenly their opinions are so important to their boss? That
perspective usually reinforces that there is no purpose to the
resignation meeting except to leave on as positive a note as
possible through a carefully planned smooth transition. That is the
resignation meeting's sole purpose.
Informing your current employer of your resignation takes tact
and discretion. If they inquire as to whom you new job is with, it
is best to tell them that you cannot disclose that information
until your new employer announces it within his/her own
organization. The following sample letters are suitable
correspondence to announce your resignation.
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\* MERGEFORMATINET Sample Letter One(Date)
Dear :
Please accept this letter as my formal resignation as (Title)
for (Company) to become effective as of (Date). I have accepted a
position in (Location). I believe this position will offer me more
challenge and opportunity for advancement as well as allow me to
broaden my own experience and knowledge. I want to take this
opportunity to thank you for your time and efforts in my training
and advancement during the past (Time). The support and concern
shown by you and the rest of the management team has been deeply
appreciated. I leave (Company) with no animosity or ill will and
wish you and your company continued success. My decision is
irrevocable and any counter offers extended by you and/or (Company)
will be rejected. Sincerely, (Your Name)
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Sample Letter TwoDear _____________, This is to inform you that I
have accepted a position with another firm. Therefore, I would like
to offer my resignation effective _________.
I want to assure you of my gratitude for a rewarding
professional association during my employment with (current
employer). This decision was not an easy one, and involved many
days and hours of thoughtful consideration, particularly with
respect to my own plans for my future. Nevertheless, the decision
is final. Please do not make this process more difficult than it
need be by discussions of the reasons for my decision or whether it
can be changed. My main thoughts now are to work as hard as
possible to wrap up my affairs here and turn over my
responsibilities as you direct. However, I would like to join my
new firm as soon as possible. Therefore, if convenient, please
notify me if you wish to waive my two week notice and conclude my
employment any sooner than _____________.back to top
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\* MERGEFORMATINET
Sample Letter ThreeMoving to another company.DearAs per section
... of my contract of employment / employment handbook, I hereby
give x weeks notice of my intention to leave (company name). I want
to thank you for all that you have done for me in my employment
here. Its been a pleasure working with you and representing the
company. It is now time for me to move on and I have accepted a
position with another firm. This decision was not an easy one and
took a lot of consideration. However, I am confident that this new
role represents a positive move towards fulfilling my career aims.
I wish the company continued success and once again, would like to
thank you for allowing me to be a part of your team. If there is
anything I can do in aiding a smooth transition of
responsibilities, please let me know. Yours sincerely,
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Sample Letter FourWaiver of Notice PeriodDearAs per section ... of
my contract of employment / employment handbook, I wish to give
notice of my intention to leave the company. I have been very happy
working here and found my work challenging and enjoyable. However,
it is now time for me to move on and I have accepted a position
with another firm. This decision was not an easy one and took a lot
of consideration. I am confident that this new role represents a
positive move towards fulfilling my career aims. I understand that
my notice period is x weeks but I would like to join ...(new
company name) as soon as possible. Therefore, if possible, I would
like to request that you waive this termination notice. Please let
me know if I can help a smooth transition of responsibilities.
Thank you for your help and guidance during my employment, and best
wishes for the future. Yours sincerely,
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MERGEFORMATINET
Sample Letter FiveMEMOTO:DATE: November 25, 1998SUBJECT:
ResignationFROM:This will confirm my resignation as Title at
Company.I have accepted a position as Executive Editor at a growing
publishing house in New Jersey. I am looking forward to my new
position and the challenges that await me.My last day of work will
be December 10, 1998, which should allow me plenty of time to
finish ongoing projects and to turn over my position to my
replacement. Please feel free to contact me at any time should you
have any questions regarding my past work. I hope that the
transition will go smoothly for everyone.My experience with ABC
Company has been very rewarding. I appreciate having had the
opportunity to work for such a fine company. I wish you and the
organization continued success.
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Sample Letter SixDear __________, This is to inform you that I have
accepted a position with another firm. Therefore, I would like to
offer my resignation effective ______. I want to assure you of my
gratitude for a rewarding professional association during my
employment with (current employer). This decision was not an easy
one, and involved many days and hours of thoughtful consideration,
particularly with respect to my own plans for my future.
Nevertheless, the decision is final. Please do not make this
process more difficult than it need be by discussions of the
reasons for my decision or whether it can be changed. My main
thoughts now are to work as hard as possible to wrap up my affairs
here and turn over my responsibilities as you direct. However, I
would like to join my new firm as soon as possible. Therefore, if
convenient, please notify me if you wish to wave my two week notice
and conclude my employment any sooner than _______.
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Sample Letter SevenDate NameCompany NameAddressCity, State, Zip
Dear _______________, I have decided to resign from COMPANY NAME
as of DATE. My decision does not reflect any dissatisfaction or
unhappiness with my current position with COMPANY NAME. On the
contrary, this job and company have been very helpful to me in my
career development. However, I have accepted an opportunity with
another company that I simply could not turn down. I've carefully
considered my decision and do not wish to discuss counter
proposals. I would ask only that you wish me well. I have enjoyed
my relationship with COMPANY NAME and will always speak very highly
of the company and you personally. Sincerely,
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Sample Letter EightDate NameCompany NameAddressCity, State, Zip
Dear _______________, Subject: Voluntary Resignation of YOUR
NAME This will constitute my notification to you of my resignation
from COMPANY effective DATE. Please accept my sincere gratitude to
both you and COMPANY for the opportunities extended to me during my
time with your company. My decision to resign was reached with
great difficulty; however, I have accepted a position with another
company which will be in the best interest of my family and my
career. Please understand that I am not in a position to consider
an alternative offer from COMPANY since my decision to resign is
final. Again, thank you very much for all your past courtesies.
Sincerely,back to top
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