I’m resigning this week, and I want to end on good terms. I am I highly rated performer, so they will probably be a bit taken aback, but I’ve been with the company for almost a decade and I’m just ready for new beginnings. I received a great offer at a reputable company, along with a nice increase and I am scheduled to start in a couple of weeks.

30 Comments

1. Radhika RaghupathyJune 12,2024 at 4:51AM UTC

   Women are raised to make peace in many situations, even if it takes toll on our mental health. You have clearly sighted the reasons, why you are leaving. We are not responsible for anyone's happiness other than ours. Simply state the reason, you required a change and there was no going back. Again here I see that you are afraid what they may think, dont burn the bridges here, let them go off gently. Because it is understood that the organization has not taken any action to work on their bad managers

2. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 12,2024 at 7:22AM UTC

   CONGRATULATIONS on your new position! How exciting for you.

   This should not be a stressful time, it should be a happy time - please don't let anyone else make it otherwise.

   You do not have to explain yourself to anyone. You don't have to say anything other than "it's time for the next step in my journey" if you don't want to.

   You don't have to give a reason if you don't want to. You don't have to say where you're going if you don't want to. You can be as vague or detailed as you're comfortable with. If they give you any sort of hard time, I would consider that a reinforcement of your decision to move on.

   You should prepare yourself for the possibility that they may try to make you a counter offer. Those rarely work out and generally are not a good idea. Don't be caught offguard if they try to keep you - also be don't caught off guard if they say "today is your last day" and have security walk you out.

   Don't let them make you feel guilty about wanting to move on to a better opportunity. It is your responsibility to yourself to do what is best for your career. That company could lay you off tomorrow and not think twice about it. I promise you, none of your team members would ever say "gee I'd love to take this great new job but I'd feel so guilty leaving Anonymous." Not gonna happen.

   I recommend you not give them one second bandwidth in your brain - focus your energy on looking forward to your big new adventure.

   CONGRATS again and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. Jacqueline CutlerJune 12,2024 at 1:14PM UTC

   You don't need to explain yourself. Staying professional and polite and doing your job is all that you need to do. Give them enough time and suggest that you dedicate a chunk of your time to finishing projects, writing memos, and handing over your work files.

   Conngrats on the new job!

4. Vivian LeeJune 13,2024 at 6:33PM UTC

   Congrats on your 10 year tenure and the new opportunity! Looks to be a welcome change.

   Keep it professional. If the manager asks where you are going, you can advise on the industry instead of naming the company. This avoids any potential smear campaign against you if the manager or colleague knows someone at the new company. Also be prepared if they let you go the same day or day after.

5. Cynthia TrivellaJune 14,2024 at 2:59PM UTC

   First, congratulations! This is a proud moment.

   Second, you do not owe them an explanation. However, for the sake of not burning bridges (especially if you don’t harbor ill feelings with the current employer), keep it high level. Let them know that you are very excited about the new opportunity and look forward to the next chapter in your career. If you so wish, you can let them know that you appreciate the time you’ve spent with them.

   Also, this is a question that I see alot of on this site. “Do I need to tell them where I’m going?” The answer is, no you don’t (as long as you don’t have a non-compete in your employment contract). If you decide to say, it’s a courtesy you choose to pay them.

   Good luck!

6. AnonymousJune 14,2024 at 4:31PM UTC

   Congrats!!! You have a lot to be proud of.

   First: let them know you’re moving FORWARD in your career and received a new opportunity that will offer you a new chapter (you already said the best thing to say!), and that the 10 years dedicated to your current employer was instrumental in leading you towards this great next step in your career.

   Leave it at that. Be excited for what’s next for you. You do not owe anyone an explanation of pay increase, other choice benefits, or even the name of the company. If they ask where you’re headed, tell them it’s a different industry (as I think someone mentioned) and that you wish to get established there before giving anything else away. Let them know you’re excited and looking forward to this new adventure and are thankful for the experiences and relationships you gained with your current job.

   Keeping it professional and positive for yourself is the best thing you can do to prevent any unnecessary stress in your resignation. Enjoy your new chapter, start working on passing on all your work and projects, tying up any critical work that needs completion before leaving. Thank your colleagues and coworkers as you finish your last weeks, then keep your head held high as you step forward with your career!

7. AnonymousJune 14,2024 at 5:02PM UTC

   word for word.

   I was approached about a new role at another company and after listening to what they were offering me in terms of opportunity, challenges and career progression I found it hard to turn down what they had to offer. I'm happy to put together a guidebook for whomever replaces me during my 2 week notice period but my decision is final and I hope you will celebrate my exciting news along with me.

   End of story.

   No need for other explanation, unless you want a discussion and banter about what went wrong. Congrats on your new position.

8. Sheila PhieldsJune 15,2024 at 1:03PM UTC

   The reasons you stated in your last sentence are legitimate and would be enough to make me leave. Where you started in the beginning with your new offer is your answer.

9. AnonymousJune 15,2024 at 1:04PM UTC

   I understand the separation anxiety but this is your life. And if you feel like it’s time to move forward, then it’s time. If they care about your business as much as you care about theirs, they will understand.

10. AnonymousJune 15,2024 at 1:26PM UTC

    I understand this. Even though you don’t owe them an explanation, sometimes it’s hard not to give one.

    But saying that you are seeking new opportunities or need a new environment to allow to grow and thrive may be a reason to give.

11. GirlBossanova934974June 15,2024 at 1:51PM UTC

    When deciding to leave a company, the best policy is to leave on good terms BUT at the same time, BE HONEST with yourself. You don't have to tell the world your dissatisfaction with this or that. In your case, you know perfectly why you are leaving. Your statement that "You have no real complaints about my current company" is not quite true. You have a long list of complaints. This is how good employees often talk themselves into staying with bad companies and hurting their careers. Somehow dirty office politics becomes acceptable. Not so. Good luck in your new job. I would tell your old company that you received a great offer at a reputable company. End of story. PS: In today's working world, it seems that the first job of a good manager is to snuff out office politics et al before it ever gets started.

12. AnonymousJune 15,2024 at 3:22PM UTC

    Don't overcomplicate it for yourself. As much as you may have loved the company, and they may have absolutely welcomed having you there as a high performer, you are still an employee. It's not a family. It is a business. And if they had to make a difficult business decision about your role, they would have let you go. Keep the resignation letter short and sweet. I definitely recommend thanking them and one to two sentences about your great experience there and then telling them that you've made the decision to move in a another direction. Make sure you give two weeks notice and ensure that all of your work is complete and responsibilities transferred. Don't burn the bridge but you owe no one any apologies for doing what's best in your own life. It's that simple.

13. Rosa GoesJune 15,2024 at 3:22PM UTC

    Congrats on the new job. I think you already said it:"I’ve been with the company for almost a decade and I’m just ready for new beginnings. I received a great offer at a reputable company, along with a nice increase and I am scheduled to start in a couple of weeks."

14. Maggie StoneJune 16,2024 at 2:19PM UTC

    100% agree. Explain it as clearly as you did in your post.

15. SarahJune 15,2024 at 6:22PM UTC

    I'm curious why so many say not to say the things that need to be said in an exit interview. I think start off by saying you are looking for new experiences, etc. I do, however, think you should end with suggested improvements, i.e. the complaints you listed. How else will any working situations improve if people don't speak up? You are leaving. Why not? Personally, I wish more people did. Coming from a high performer that is leaving on their own gives it more teeth even. Let's help each other out.

16. AnonymousJune 15,2024 at 8:09PM UTC

    Congratulations on your new position. I hope that you will thrive and enjoy your new adventure. When you state that you have "no real reasons for leaving" and then list several reasons to leave that are very legitimate, its a bit ironic and sounds like you do indeed have good reasons to leave. In your exit interview you can simply say "I was offered a better opportunity" and leave it at that. You don't have any obligation to spill any more details. However, if you believe the message will reach people who can and will do something about it, share as much as you feel comfortable about your difficult manager and the workplace politics that led to your decision to go elsewhere. Optimistically, your feedback may spark workplace changes and some of your coworkers will be grateful to you for that. On the other hand, its likely that the higher ups already know these issues exist but can't or won't do anything. Also, you may burn some bridges of people whom you may want to utilize for references someday.

17. AnonymousJune 16,2024 at 12:07PM UTC

    Congratulations! Just don't say anything about the new job until it is finailzed. But just say "Thank you."

18. SaraJune 16,2024 at 3:06PM UTC

    Congratulations on the new position! Change can be stressful, and it's not surprising that you want your resignation from your old company to be perfect. You've known people there for a long time and I'm sure you'd like to keep their respect. You do not have to give a "why" in your resignation. Your official letter/email should be 2 sentences: This is my resignation. This will be my last day.

    You will be asked in person where you're going, why you're leaving, and many other probing questions. It's up to you how much you want to share, but remember anything you share with just one person will be leaked to all, so it's best to stick with "I found a better opportunity".

    Good luck on your next position!

19. AnonymousJune 16,2024 at 4:10PM UTC

    Sorry, but I’m not sure why you owe more than a polite letter

    of resignation. Am I missing something, did you sign a contract that you are breaking. Sounds like they will be disappointed but happy for you. They may even counter and you can politely decline and all remain friends.

20. AnonymousJune 16,2024 at 4:51PM UTC

    you are overthinking this, and overpersonalizing too. It's perfectly ok and a common occurrence for folks to hit the "end" at a place of employment and simply want to move on ...even if they've been treated well, etc. You simply state (in writing and in person) that you've enjoyed and grown from every moment working here, but want to explore some new horizons. Done!!..... Now , on the other hand, if you are having "second thoughts" about leaving (because you have no real complaints, you said), THEN examine those second thoughts closely. It's kind of a big deal to work somewhere for ten years, to succeed there, and to "not have any real complaints"..... Because the Grass is OFTEN not GREENER....so be careful. Examine closely why you are overthinking this...

21. Melinda MaloneJune 17,2024 at 12:50AM UTC

    I agree. I left my job of several years because of necessity and a little because I had reached a point. I wished I had stayed. The new place really was not a match and I had second thoughts and should’ve went with them. I agree with being sure with the move.

22. AnonymousJune 16,2024 at 6:08PM UTC

    what I have done on these resignation cases, I told my boss something that was not relevant to me connected with my job. For example, I need a salary raise, or I will use all my skills in my next job. Other than.that, nobody has asked me the reason I was leaving.

23. AnonymousJune 16,2024 at 6:38PM UTC

    You want to be honest but not brutal, and you don’t want to burn the bridge. Just state the obvious and be honest by saying that you have been there for a long time and. You are ready for something new as you feel you have outgrown your position. Essentially? The underlying message that should

    e conveyed is saying that you need something more and they cannot provide it.

24. AnonymousJune 17,2024 at 12:26PM UTC

    do yourself a huge favor. DO NOT TELL ANYONE where you are going. There have been cases where co-workers and bosses have gone out of their way to contact your new company and make unfavorable remarks.

    Just let them know once you get settled in you will post on linkedin and also let them know.

25. SPNN4 SJune 17,2024 at 2:30PM UTC

    Just tell them what you've stated above. You are ready for new beginnings and greener pastures. You've gotten another offer with an increase and no hard feelings. Then just leave it at that.

26. KellyW43June 17,2024 at 5:32PM UTC

    Congratulations! Just let them know that although you appreciate the time you had with their company, it's time for a new challenge.

    Don't give them any extra information. Just that.

27. AnonymousJune 17,2024 at 7:21PM UTC

    Express gratitude to current company but just say you got an offer you couldn't refuse

28. AnonymousJune 17,2024 at 9:12PM UTC

    I had a fantastic opportunity come my way that I feel I need to take to expand my knowledge and skills as well as move along the next steps in my career path.

29. Jacob DornJune 19,2024 at 6:33PM UTC

    There is biblical text that says "there is a time for all things under heaven'" Look it up and quote it. Cannot go wrong quoting scripture.

30. Isabella NyamahSeptember 27,2024 at 4:48PM UTC

    Kindly remember to notify the company according to the permissible duration for notice before resignation by your company policy. You owe no one a reason. If the HR structure is functional, You will be given an exit interview or questionnaire on how they can improve and that should be it for you. Congratulations! Have you ever come across this saying "A woman on a mission needs no permission"