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Creative Quiting-Do it Right!
from: John GrothQuitting your job? Rules to Follow
Resigning from a job is always difficult. It’s something we all have to do at one time or another. Maybe it’s for career advancement, a better opportunity or maybe your current job is just intolerable.
In any case it’s always an opportunity, whether it’s a planned departure or resignation, it does not have to be an unpleasant experience. In fact it could be an opportunity to convey a positive message, to strengthen good work relationships and keep you in good standing with your ex-employer.
It’s been estimated that most professionals will resign from four to six jobs in their working lifetime. Here are some ideas to make the most of your goodbye.
Burning Your Bridges is a Bad Idea: Never, never, never write about how badly you were treated, how screwed up the organization is or how your boss is a jerk. Burning your bridges, may give you a few minutes of satisfaction but could lead to greater future regret.
For example, with a change in direction, what was a bad job may become a good job. Your toxic registration letter, however, will have a long life and people working at your former employer will have long memories. At the very least they will question you judgment.
What if you apply at another employer, but the hiring official lives next to your old boss. What are the odds they talk about you over the back fence? You’ll never know why you weren’t considered for the job. So, as your mother advised, if you can’t say something good say nothing. It’s always the best policy.
Stay Positive: This idea builds on the first idea. Focus on drafting your resignation by discussing the positive achievements of your time with the employer. If you have to participate in an exit interview, no matter what assurances HR tells you, find something positive to say or say nothing.
Also, be careful later completing a questionnaire mailed to your home. Recently, an HR department was exposed, although giving written assurances of anonymity, by coding the exit questionnaire which was on the back side of request letter. They apparently, just changed the middle initial of the person signing the letter, and thus knew who responded and how they answered the questions and/or added a narrative to some of the open ended questions.
Keep it Simple: You’re not writing the next “War and Peace.” Make the resignation letter simple and if possible memorable. What did you learn, and what did you value on your experience at the employer? You can never thank or congratulate enough people for what you learned or experienced in your job. When you depart on a good note, you never know when your career will need the assistance of former co-workers or managers.
Draft you Resignation Letter: Spend some time putting the resignation letter together. Keep it short but it should say exactly what you want to say. It can’t be emphasized to much-keep it positive. Don’t make it a critique of the company, your boss or co-workers.
Show Appreciation and Class: If you show respect, and your last action is remembered as a class act, you’ll have that bridge to cross should you ever need to revisit that area again.
Overall try to make the goodbye, even under difficult circumstances, a positive experience. This approach could pay big dividends to your career.
Kaiser Permanente Employment News