CV Checker Articles - How and when to resign

We tend not to think too much about the resignation process and often underestimate its importance and the impact it can have on the organisation, managers and colleagues.
Resignation is an important step in one’s career and should not be neglected. On the contrary, it should be thought of as a transition step, leaving one organisation to join another one (in most cases).

It may be tempting, when resigning, to let frustration and anger get the  better of you towards your “old” employer, feeling secure and sometimes relieved to have a new job and a different environment to look forward to. It is however better to stay as neutral as possible and focus on the positive experiences rather than bringing up the phantoms of the past.

If you have a very good relationship with the company and with your current manager, it is best to “pre-alert” him or her a day or two before you intend to resign and have an open discussion on the reasons that led you to leave the organisation. This will be seen as a sign of professional maturity and your manager will appreciate it much more than a resignation letter handed in on a Monday morning.

If however, you prefer to hand in your notice, make sure you find an adequate space in your manager’s agenda, leaving time to explain your motivation to leave the company (career opportunities, relocation wishes, personnel reasons, etc.). Avoid bringing past difficulties to the surface and focus on positives elements such as career growth, different industry, field of experience, etc.

Be sure to offer as much help as possible during the transition process and agree your leaving date with your manager. It is also key to ensure that you have handed over all files and walked your manager through critical issues, key projects you have been working on and the next steps that need to be taken. Offer to draft a hand-over file to pass as much information as possible.

When to resign is a difficult question to answer, as usually ones does not have much opportunity to choose. Once you have made your decision, it is best to resign as quickly as possible as you will almost surely not be as committed to your “old” organisation. However, you may want to speak directly to your manager, face to face, rather than hand in a standard resignation letter and consequently decide to wait a few days before resigning. If you know that your manager is away for a long period of time (1 week or more) and you prefer to have a frank conversation with him or her, it is best to let your future employer know that you will not be able to resign before x number of days, explaining your rationale. In most cases, your new employer will appreciate your honesty and openness and will give you the necessary time to ensure a smooth transition period.

For those entitled to a annual bonus, check your employment contract. In a number of cases, leaving before the 31st of a given year means you will not be entitled to your bonus.
Finally, remember to keep the best relationship possible with your colleagues and managers as it’s a small world and you may meet them again in different circumstances. Also make sure you keep contact with your ex-managers and colleagues as they can become a valuable network resource for the future.

Good luck!!

About the author
Valerie is currently Senior Human Resources Manager working in Italy, fluent in French and Italian.  Responsible for over 1500 employees across Europe, involved in an HR Transformation project covering 25 countries across Europe. 

Other articles by the author

• Career Help
• Action plan - Finding a job
• Online job hunting
• What to do in an interview
• How to ask for a pay rise
• Finding a job in France

Published
14 July 2006

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