what is the most polite way to quit a job?

[tami]

so i got a job offer today for what seems to be an excellet opportunity to grow both for myself and with the new company, and it seems that it is going to be a challenging, yet rewarding task, something that i felt was lacking at my "current" job. the offer came about an hour ago; i have basically tomorrow to inform my supervisors that i am going to give my two-week notice (really 1 week and 4 days.. or 1 week and 2 days given that i'm on vacation for 2 days this week)

the question is: how do i do so appropriately? i don't want to burn any bridges, and i am skeptical about handing my supervisors a letter that they can maintain on record. (then again, if it's company policy, i'd obviously do it.)

i'm thinking of going into the supervisor's office tomorrow and saying quite simply, "i was offered an opportunity and i've decided to take it. thank you for the wonderful opportunity you have afforded me for the last 10 months; i appreciate it greatly."

naturally, i think i'll be asked a lot of questions, so i'm not sure what kind of responses to give.

i must say that rather recently -- when i was not actually job-searching -- i stumbled upon a listing on craigslist for an opening (that i hadn't even known about) in my department! i inquired about it within my company and was asked how i knew. given that i had no time to think about it, i said "well, i found it myself." my boss asked me then if i was looking for a job, and i told him honestly that i wasn't. while this is rather recent, i did not apply for jobs at that time and only did so a few weeks later after expressing interest to take upon more responisibilities to fill the gap of the dude who was leaving the department -- but never was actually given those tasks. realizing that i was not going to reach the level of potential that i was aiming for, i searched for jobs once again -- and this time, i applied. anyway, as i was being honest with my supervisor the first time around, i don't want to leave the company on the premise that i was lying to him as i wasn't.

so... i need to figure out how to make this transition as seamless as possible but also not to ruin any potential long-term relationship with my "old" employer. i enjoyed my time working there, and especially enjoyed working with the people, but there were many reasons for my decision to leave.

so again, how do i go about quitting? should i provide a letter or not? i do want to mention the craigslist issue because i do not want to ruin my rapport with the company as my relationship with this company has been rather good.

tia.

 

[minendo]

Letter that is signed and dated and turned in to them personally.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I've always given verbal notice first, but my employment has always been with small companies and the atmosphere has always been extremely laid back.

Probably the best advice is make your decision based on how you think your boss (and other superiors) will respond. Also, is there any chance of accepting a counter-offer?

 

[PAB]

Originally posted by: minendo
Letter that is signed and dated and turned in to them personally.

Mindo has it.

Just say that you're giving notice and that you thank them for the oppritunity. Even my boss thanked me for my service when he fired my ass.

Two weeks notice is the custom, but you can call it at two weeks and leave before that if you ask politely.

 

[MrDudeMan]

i give more than 2 weeks. it helps them out and aids in not burning down the bridge. you should have given them the following week especially since you are on vacation. that is lame :thumbsdown:

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan
i give more than 2 weeks. it helps them out and aids in not burning down the bridge. you should have given them the following week especially since you are on vacation. that is lame :thumbsdown:

2 weeks is standard, but not required. She is giving them enough time. 1 week and 4 days is almost two full work weeks.

 

[Aimster]

I love myself
I quit
bye

 

[tami]

mrdudeman, i was planning on being away for the passover holiday anyway. the timing isn't exactly perfect but that's how it worked this time. (let me add that i'll be working on the weekend as well)

i know it is unfair, but again, that's what's actually required. the new employers would actually like me to start earlier, but they are settling on may 1st as they are aware that i need to resign first.

minendo: i think i should still talk face to face with my supervisor besides just handing in a letter. i am empathetic; i don't want to not be personable.

what should the letter say?

 

[Taggart]

you should walk into your boss's office with a model of a bridge and set it on fire

 

[kranky]

The letter is a formality, but is necessary. Short and sweet is best.

Dear Mr. Smith:

I am resigning my position here at XYZ Company effective April 28, 2006.

Sincerely,
tami

Then you make an appointment with your boss (or just walk in, if that's your culture), say you will be leaving the company at the end of next week to take another opportunity, and say here's my resignation letter for your records.

From what you say, it's likely he'll want to talk about it with you, and that's fine. All you need to say is you feel the new position is an advancement, with more opportunity, and you are thankful for the experience you had with XYZ and with your boss.

There will be no negative repercussions for putting it in a letter. They need it as proof you voluntarily are leaving your current job.

 

[fitzov]

One on one with the boss is best (privately).

 

[QED]

What's with all of this letter writing crap?

If your boss was laying you off, or if you were passed over for a promotion in favor of someone else, how would you like him to let you know?

I don't think you'd appreciate a letter.

Just talk to your boss, answer his questions honestly, and you'll both be better for it.

 

[BooGiMaN]

although i know two weeks is standard operating procedure as it were...i still dont understand it...

no company ever lets you know two weeks ahed of time that they are goign to fire you or lay you off

you come in one day and poof! you get the axe.

 

[sygyzy]

Man this is a tough one!

 

[altonb1]

2 weeks notice is standard whenever possible. A quick semi-formal resignation letter is appropriate, too.

 

[tami]

i do see the letter as necessary for record keeping, but i'd rather them not have one. still, the formality exists for a reason so i understand the necessity.

i guess i will do both -- a very brief letter and a meeting with the boss.

it's going to be difficult to figure out how to address this letter given that just about everyone in the company is my supervisor -- but i intend to speak to the vp of IT (Dear "CompanyName" is what i was thinking about). i still have a direct manager that i don't want to talk to... it makes it tough.

what about the other issue -- with regards to looking on craigslist prior to the job offer and them knowing about it? just answer honestly?

 

[tami]

Originally posted by: BooGiMaN
although i know two weeks is standard operating procedure as it were...i still dont understand it...

no company ever lets you know two weeks ahed of time that they are goign to fire you or lay you off

you come in one day and poof! you get the axe.

yep, sad truth. but it's a matter of them not wanting you and them wanting you... and unless you are fired, you're wanted in the company.

next week, the guy who filled the empty position in my department (allow me to say that this is a 3-person department) is starting, and i think that it will be essential for me to work the entire week to help him transition over easily. i already started writing documentation on anything and everything to make it a bit simpler, but there are definitiely reigns i need to give over to the new guy...

in a sense, i feel bad given the entire restructuring of the department, but i know that this employment move is better for me.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: MathMan
What's with all of this letter writing crap?

If your boss was laying you off, or if you were passed over for a promotion in favor of someone else, how would you like him to let you know?

I don't think you'd appreciate a letter.

Just talk to your boss, answer his questions honestly, and you'll both be better for it.

The letter is a formality and generally needed by the companies HR department for your file. Of course, you still talk to your supervisor, but have the letter ready.

 

[Rumpltzer]

I did this just last year after working a job for only nine months. It was my first job out of grad school.

There was a lot I could have said, but I tried to keep it short and simple and not lead to a lot of questions. I walked into my supervisor's office after work hours and said something to the extent of, "I appreciate the opportunity you've given me, but I'm not sure it's working out. I'd like to resign my position."

The company had a clear policy that they could fire/lay-off/etc. you at any time without notice, and you could resign at any time without notice. It was such a specialized position that it would have taken months to fill it anyway, so I gave them just a week's notice.

My supervisor tried to talk me out of it, and I stood there and held my ground while saying as little as possible. It was uncomfortable, but not painful. I had to write a letter of resignation to make it official and talk to an HR rep before I left. They cashed out my unused vacation, and I left very quietly.


At my current workplace I have a red Swingline stapler sitting on my desk and twelve copies of The Catcher in the Rye on the book shelf. I plan on making a much more spectacular exit when I decide to leave.

You think I'm joking, huh?

 

[kranky]

I don't know why you fear giving them a letter. Could you explain your reasoning?

Originally posted by: MathMan
What's with all of this letter writing crap?

If your boss was laying you off, or if you were passed over for a promotion in favor of someone else, how would you like him to let you know?

I don't think you'd appreciate a letter.

Just talk to your boss, answer his questions honestly, and you'll both be better for it.

You don't send the boss a letter instead of talking face-to-face. You meet with the boss, explain what you're doing, and give the boss the letter for HR records.

If you don't, they just ask you for one, or type one up and ask you to sign it. The professional thing to do is prepare it yourself.

 

[Looney]

LOL i always say 'i hate to break it to you, but i just got another job offer'... or 'i hate to break it to you, but i'll need to give you my two weeks'.

Seriously.

 

[her209]

I'm in the money! I'm in the money! I'm in the money!

See ya!
tami

 

[her209]

Also, make sure to use plenty of $$$ signs.

 

[BoomerD]

Well, having worked heavy construction most of my life, (which is a TOTALLY different culture than what most of you deal with) you usually get told sometime after noon that you won't be needed the following day...so...GENERALLY, when I quit, I tell them at about quitting time that they will need to call the union hall to get a replacement for the next day...I HAVE worked for a couple of companies that when I got ready to leave, I'd give them a week or 2's notice, but not many. Don't ever start thinking you're irreplaceable. NONE of us are. Yes, if you leave with little chance for them to train a replacement it may leave them in a bit of a lurch, but not usually for long, unless you are in the middle of some "top-secret" project that no one else knows about...

OR, you could always Try This

 

[honkee]

If you really want to go out with a bang.
Buy some bounty, and wet up all the napkins in a big ball.
Go to your boss' office and say
"eh yo boss, suck it" followed by a roger clemens #1, but if your feeling gangsta hit him with a off speed in the crotch.