How to Quit Your Job
You landed a new role!
YES!
Congratulations!!
This is such a great feeling and trust me – with over 15 new clients in the last 3-4 weeks landing new gigs, it is SUCH an exciting time in your career (and life)!
But what happens next (after negotiating & learning your start date) is exiting your current role.
Leaving your current role may bring up a ton of anxiety or fears for you because you might feel bad or guilty leaving…
And, instead of dropping the “I QUIT AND I HATE YOU” bomb to your current employer, YOU can do better!
I strongly advice against this exiting strategy because you don’t need to stoop down to anyone else’s level.
BELOW ARE MY TOP 10 TIPS FOR NAVIGATING YOUR EXIT STRATEGY:
1. Make sure your contract is signed (in pen, not pencil!) with your new role before you say ANYTHING to your current employer. A promise is not a contract, so make sure you have this solidified before you talk to your current employer about quitting.
2. Keep everything positive. I am optimist at heart, so I recognize this style might not be popular. However, in order to maintain your professional presence, network, and personal brand, just stay focused on your next steps. You might have had a terrible experience at your role, but lucky for you – that is ALL behind you. Remember, your personal brand is what people say about you when you are no longer in the room.
3. Communicate your learning experiences directly to your coworkers. Express gratitude for what you learned in your current role. If possible, connect with the top 5-10 people (depending upon your company size, maybe more) and articulate what they taught you while you are at the company. Make people feel special. Make them feel like they positively contributed to your career & your life. Trust me: this is important!
4. KEEP IT BRIEF. Have you heard the term “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” If not, now you have! There is absolutely no need to go into details about: why you are leaving, when you start your new role, what your new title, company, salary, etc. is in your next endeavors. When in doubt, go back to #2. You can say “I am ready for a change.” That is it!
5. Be ready to GTFO. Some employers might want you to stay longer than you want to. Ideally, between you leaving this role and beginning your next role, you will take some time off, so USE that time off to be OFF – do not work anymore then you absolutely have to.
6. Consider freelancing or consulting. If they are really struggling to see you go AND you have a desire to support the company continuously, pitch them your freelance & consultation rate. Since you have an area of expertise that they will now have a shortage in, see what they say.
7. Meet with your boss via Zoom or in person. Unless there are extreme circumstances, tell your manager face to face or over a call. This shows that you are bold, direct, and honest with conducting your professional presence. Have the hard conversation and move on.
8. Exit interviews are not absolute. Unless you signed a contract that requires you to have an exit interview, if you do not feel comfortable having one, then do not do it.
9. Give adequate leave time. The standard resignation time is 2-weeks. However, many of my clients go much beyond the two weeks notice because they are in the middle of projects or overseeing clients. This is up to you on the time you feel comfortable leaving, but I would not stay longer than 4-weeks. It is time to move, so just put your foot down and give a specific timeline. Set the expectations appropriately, you are the leader in this transition. Give yourself ample time in between finish date and start date so you can be refreshed for your next role too.
10. Write the letter of resignation. A resignation letter is a document that notifies your employer that you are leaving your job. It formalizes your departure from your current employment and can be written as a printed letter or an email message.
a. Below is what to include in the letter:
i. Date
ii. Company name + address
iii. Direct manager name
iv. Your effective last day
v. Your offer to support or consultant during the transition (if needed)
vi. Your current contact information
vii. Your signature and date
A resignation letter is not the area where you state why you are leaving, what can be fixed at the company, or anything else that may come back to harm you in the court of law.
When in doubt, keep this transition SIMPLE!
In fact, when in doubt keep everything simple.
If you need support or an objective person to help you with this transition, I am your girl!
To set up an appointment with me, email me @ hello@rxashlee.com, and let’s get to work!
XX
Ashlee
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