Resignation Advice

22 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 22,2024 at 6:18PM UTC

   Resign professionally and at your convenience. Or, you could do it now, and ask if they would like you to stay for an extra day or two so you could overlap in person. Best of luck at your new position!

2. OLIVIA JOHNSONAugust 22,2024 at 6:21PM UTC

   HI there!

   This sounds promising. I am sure it goes without saying to wait for the offer in hand before making any movement. Also, once you have the offer in hand you can see just how flexible they planned to be with the start date and what they had in mind.

   When the offer is received on Monday, then I do like your initial thought of holding off. On the new company side there are still things like background checks etc. that all need to be done before I recommend officially resigning. By then, unless this company is uber quick I would anticipate that you would be a week or two after receipt/sign off on the offer anyway. You can then provide your 2 weeks notice.

   I'm with you. that it is all about how you leave as well, so if within that timeframe you can neatly package your work where you can close out whatever you feasibly can, anything not closed out is nicely package for whomever takes over AND if timing permits, that you can assist in training that person if maybe they are internal, even if it is just a temporary substitute until they find someone. Maybe even having some documented instructions if that applies for your line of work.

   Hope this helps! Would love to hear how things unfold for you.

   Coach Olivia

3. AnonymousAugust 22,2024 at 6:23PM UTC

   You're leaving the organization. Who cares if it turns into a screaming match? Let the CEO have their temper tantrum. You're not responsible for guaranteeing that there's overlap as you leave the role, that's HR and ultimately the CEO's responsibility. You're extending this CEO courtesies that you'll never see in return. Work on your time line, only. Hate to tell you this but no one is going to give you a second thought once you're out the door. If you think providing overlap us going to create a lasting legacy of your time at this org, please channel your efforts elsewhere. And hope you get the new job!

4. AnonymousAugust 22,2024 at 6:37PM UTC

   I would resign immediately upon acceptance of an offer in writing (the boss being out of town is not my problem. ). At the end of the day it's business and not personal. If your boss's unprofessional temper is your worst fear, the sooner you get away from them the better.

5. WandaAugust 22,2024 at 7:12PM UTC

   You may want to wait until you have the offer in hand and have completed extraneous onboarding activities with the new company before turning in your official resignation to your current employer.

   While you can't predict how any employer will react after receiving news of a resignation, I can say that when you do it a manner that's both courteous and professional - a well-composed letter or email sent while the manager is in the office, you're much less likely to find yourself in a contentious shouting match than if you didn't. Best wishes

6. AnonymousAugust 22,2024 at 8:20PM UTC

   1st I would wait until have an offer and accepted and ironed out all the details. THEN I would resign by giving the company two weeks' notice... I mean that's appropriate right? But if you have accepted the offer and are definitely taking it and moving on... who cares how you resign. Just depends on whether you're into burning bridges or not but I usually tell people to match energy. If these companies don't care about you when they give notice for OT or pay cuts/raises then to hell with em.

7. AnonymousAugust 22,2024 at 8:47PM UTC

   Former recruiter here and also work within a career center. Always always provide your resignation letter in writing and offer a 2 week notice. Regardless of your feelings, keep the personal feelings out of this as it's business. And also, do not apologize at all in your resignation letter. Do not start with "I regret to inform you..." either. But do make sure you thank them for the opportunity they have provided you. Regardless of whether you like these people or not, they gave you an opportunity to support yourself. It's always anxiety-ridden to say goodbye. In our minds we would rather say out loud, toodle doo and our choice words, but professionally speaking, never burn a bridge. Short and sweet, I'm writing to inform you I have taken a new role with another organization. Thank you for the opportunities you have provided me. My last day will be XX/XX/2024. Sincerely, your name, leave some space, sign it. But do not send it until the new company has cleared you of all background checks, drug tests, etc. Once you are clear to go, work out the start date with the new employer. Then back into the resignation letter with your last day being at least 2 days from your start date. Take 2 days off if you can. Keep us posted and p.s. don't worry about the grown man temper tantrum dude. He'll get over it. And run out that door, kick your heels up and do a thank you dance to be out of there!

8. AnonymousAugust 28,2024 at 5:07PM UTC

   My background check cleared today and I was given a start date of 9/9. They desperately need me that day. I will have no choice but to email my current boss. Should I say I’m happy to hop on a call, that I would have preferred to resign in person? Should I tell the one partner that is IN the office?

9. AnonymousAugust 29,2024 at 12:54AM UTC

   Yes put it in writing and offer to meet if needed. Thank them for the opportunity and leave all papers they may need for the next person, then box your personal stuff prior to your departure so you have free hands to do a litttle dance when you leave. Congrats on the new role!!

10. AnonymousAugust 22,2024 at 11:18PM UTC

    But you don't work at a stress free company. By your own admission you are riddled with anxiety. Giving any type of notice to leave is probably not going to be met with calm. Sorry.

11. AnonymousAugust 23,2024 at 2:12PM UTC

    I wouldn't give notice until the contract is signed, you have your official start date, and your background checks are 100% complete. Depending on if you need anyone at your old company to recommend you or not hold a grudge, I'd even take time off to start the new job just to see how it is in reality and to ensure the new company doesn't pull out of the offer last minute like some have been doing. Then give your notice to your current company. Will that make the boss angry? Of course. But you need to protect yourself and your access to steady income.

12. Sarah BordersAugust 24,2024 at 12:41PM UTC

    Whatever you do, don’t quit over email. I would give my notice the day after I signed the offer letter. In the CEO’s absence, who is in charge? Ask to set a meeting with that person, discuss the fact that you’ve accepted an offer for a new position, and go from there. You don’t have to put your life on hold or adjust your schedule because your boss is on vacation. After you accept that offer, do your best to let your sense of obligation to this toxic culture go. When you’ve done everything right, how the CEO handles your departure says everything about him and nothing about you.

13. GirlBossanova934974August 24,2024 at 1:00PM UTC

    As others have already said, please NO email resignations. Second, your CEO should have someone standing in for him while he is gone. The resignation letter should be delivered to the stand-in. Please be sure you have a signed offer letter, a start date, and your background check is complete. It is NOT your responsibility to ensure a smooth transition. A 2 week notice is there to give the employer a chance to start the replacement process and line up temporary substitutes.

14. Lisa McCartneyAugust 24,2024 at 2:26PM UTC

    As the others have said, do not send your resignation via email and only when you have a signed offer. If your new company will give you three weeks that's great ~ only give your current company 2. Take the week off and try to relax ~ get rid of the anxiousness from the "current job".

15. AnonymousAugust 24,2024 at 3:23PM UTC

    Wait to do it in person. When you do give notice tell them you were recruited away and that the opportunity was too good to pass up. You want to give them time to find someone new and in the near term why not write up a manual for the next person with some inside info on how to manage the role when they come it. It will go far and also will make you release the feelings you have been dealing with because you will leave things in good order. Also if when the CEO returns you get any screaming, walk away from the conversation and turn your back.

    I am sure the new company will understand your need to leave professionally and with everything clean for your old employer. It will look good on you too. Congrats on the new role!

16. AnonymousAugust 24,2024 at 3:48PM UTC

    Someone must be covering some things while he's out. You give your resignation to that person then send a follow up email confirming what you discussed. Don't do anything until you have written confirmation of the offer with all the details on salary, start date, bonus etc. Anyone who screams in an office is a d-bag. We'll be happy to hear when you get out of there!

17. AnonymousAugust 24,2024 at 8:47PM UTC

    Exactly! Don’t slow down your resignation to appease a toxic situation. Once you have your offer letter. Put in your two weeks and be done. There must be someone in HR you can speak with to put it in. And if the CEO gets testy to turn into a screaming match. Don’t engage. No reason to let that person disturb your inner peace. Once your offer is in writing ✍️ and signed. Put your two weeks in and get out of there.

18. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 26,2024 at 6:16AM UTC

    The CEO's reaction is a him problem. Don't make it a you problem.

    First off, you may receive the offer on Monday but that's just the beginning of the offer process if you're talking about a verbal offer. You have to accept the verbal offer so they can generate the written offer for you to accept so they can trigger the background process.

    Please do not resign until the background check process has been completed and a start date has been set with your new employer.

    You are under no obligation to give any more than two weeks notice nor are you under any obligation to tell them anything about your new opportunity - it's none of their business.

    Beware of counter offers - those rarely work out for the jobseeker.

    If there's a Delegation of Authority to someone covering for the CEO, you can tell that person.

    I should think any instigation of an unprofessional "screaming match" by the CEO would reinforce your decision to leave.

    Congratulations and good luck in your big new adventure!

19. AnonymousAugust 26,2024 at 1:47PM UTC

    I agree wholeheartedly that the CEO's reaction is on him and not the OP. As usual, Joan, you are giving excellent advice here, and I hope that the OP avoids any major drama when she resigns. You are right. The CEO could very well be back before she has her written offer and start date in hand.

20. Afo Ogbeyalu KaluAugust 26,2024 at 12:14PM UTC

    You can begin to draft your resignation letter now, but you should not send it until you've reviewed the guidelines in your employee handbook/contract, and until you have a firm offer with specified start date in hand/sent to you. Then, follow the agreed upon protocols under the terms of your current contract.

    So long as you are following the rules set by your current organization, there is little need for anxiety. If there are no formal terms for giving notice set by your current company, then give the customary 2 weeks notice. Best of luck!

21. Focused931221August 26,2024 at 5:26PM UTC

    Don't resign until you have a firm offer in hand.

    Depending on your relationship with your current company, you may want to deliver the news in person. Still have a written resignation letter in hand. Resigning can be a stressful situation, but it doesn't have to be. Many times, its more stressful in our minds than reality.

    Do what is best for you. But definitely don't resign until you have a firm offer from the next company, otherwise, you may be stuck in a real pickle.

    Good luck!

22. AnonymousAugust 27,2024 at 2:58PM UTC

    The first and last sentences are 99% of a successful resignation. Good luck.