In April the world was shocked by news that Prince Harry and Meghan were standing down from their duties as senior members of the Royal Family. Regardless of your view on their choice to leave, what united many observers was the sudden announcement and apparent blindsiding of the Royal Family. Leaving any role is difficult, not least when you work for a family business. We share our expertise on how to resign the right way.
- Keep your plans to yourself
The number one rule of resigning is that you save the ‘big reveal’ for your boss, rather than your colleagues (or the world media, for that matter). Even as you’re considering your departure, it’s best not to mention your plans to anyone else, to avoid gossip spreading, negativity in the office, and most importantly, a breach of trust with your boss. Allowing them to manage the announcement, as well as any subsequent staff changes, is an important part of you leaving on good terms (which we’ll come back to later). - Chose the right time and book a meeting with your boss to share the news
Once you’ve made the decision to resign, the news is likely to dominate your thoughts. Resist the urge to blurt it out at the first available opportunity and instead book a meeting, as soon as possible. Try to avoid Monday mornings, just before a key meeting, or right in the middle of a press scandal, when your boss will have many pressing issues to attend to and may not appreciate the timing. - Write a resignation letter
The best time to share your official resignation letter is during the meeting with your boss, and should never just be handed to them without explanation. If you’re working remotely, send via email, but only after you’ve spoken to your boss. The letter doesn’t need to be a long-winded announcement or an emotional outpouring. Instead, it should be clear and to-the-point, setting out:- Your future plans
- Your intended date of departure
- Your willingness to assist with any handover
- Your gratitude for the opportunity and your best wishes for the company’s future
This last point may feel disingenuous if you have a strained relationship with your boss, but it’s a step worth taking to ensure you leave on a good impression. Especially if your boss is your Gran!
- Prepare for your meeting
Whether you’ve enjoyed your time at the organisation or you’re desperate to leave, announcing your resignation can be nerve-wracking and uncomfortable. By preparing in advance, you can remove some of the emotion from the meeting and ensure your news is shared in the most professional manner possible.
By using the resignation letter you have written as a reference point for your meeting, you have a structure to follow. Practice what you wish to say in advance as this may help manage some of the nerves in your voice.
It will pay to anticipate how your boss might respond. Almost certainly, they will ask why you wish to leave. This is not the time to vent – save it for the exit interview. At this stage, it’s critical to focus on the opportunity you’re moving to, rather than any discontent you’re moving from. Talk up the position you’re moving to – most managers will (eventually) be glad to support their employees in achieving their long-term goals. If your boss does react emotionally, try to keep a level head – they will cool down and move on soon enough.
Prepare also for any counter-offers that your boss may make, such as a promotion or job move within the firm, or salary increase. Consider in advance what your response might be, and think hard about whether staying with the firm is the right choice. Don’t let it be ‘better the devil you know’ for the sake of a small salary increase – think about how your relationship might be with your boss once they know you were thinking about moving on. It’s worth noting that most people who are counter-offered generally leave within a year. - Stay professional to the end
Aside from the obvious advantage of securing a good reference, it’s important to leave your company on a good impression because it’s a small world, and you can never be sure when you might come across your boss again, or who they might talk to. Stay professional in your work, assist with any handover and ensure that you adhere to any codes of conduct, particularly around client confidentiality.
By learning how to resign the right way, you pave the path to greater success with your next career move. To discuss your career plans and how SRM Recruitment might be able to help, please get in touch.