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what is the most polite way to quit a job?

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kranky, i don't know. i just feel like i'd want to express more in the letter than make it short and simple -- but i know that such an action isn't wise either.

i'm not going to go ahead and not give them the letter, but i just wish a verbal discussion would solidify my resignation.
 
Originally posted by: minendo
Letter that is signed and dated and turned in to them personally.
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I concur :beer:

It's what I did when I left my last job 🙂
 
Originally posted by: tami
kranky, i don't know. i just feel like i'd want to express more in the letter than make it short and simple -- but i know that such an action isn't wise either.

i'm not going to go ahead and not give them the letter, but i just wish a verbal discussion would solidify my resignation.
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Then do that. The letter is just a formal resignation, but when you hand the letter to them, they're going to expect a conversation anyways, so you can give it to them then.
 
Originally posted by: Looney
Originally posted by: tami
kranky, i don't know. i just feel like i'd want to express more in the letter than make it short and simple -- but i know that such an action isn't wise either.

i'm not going to go ahead and not give them the letter, but i just wish a verbal discussion would solidify my resignation.
Click to expand...

Then do that. The letter is just a formal resignation, but when you hand the letter to them, they're going to expect a conversation anyways, so you can give it to them then.
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well, i have read some websites about writing resignation letters, and while it's formal at most places, some contracts actually require it. i'd be giving a letter -- if necessary and if requested -- as a courtesy. i've already written it up and printed it out, but again, i'm not sure if presenting it would be necessary -- but if they ask for it, i'll have it ready in hand.

i'm starting to realize what a big step this will be for me, so while i know i will feel uncomfortable tomorrow when telling my supervisor that i wish to resign, i think the excitment outweighs the discomfort and i'm feeling real good about it. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: minendo
Letter that is signed and dated and turned in to them personally.
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Only way to do it. One copy for your immediate supervisor, and one for HR. Give the first copy to your supervisor so they don't hear from HR that you are quitting.
 
Originally posted by: 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?
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You hand the letter to your supervisor personally, do NOT leave it in their inbox. When you give him the letter, wait while he reads it, then shake his hand and answer any questions that he may have.
 
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.
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Out of curiosity, how old are you? Companies generally do give you notice when they intend to cut your position (lay off) and they don't give you advanced notice when they fire you for a very simple reason: What incentive do you have to do a good job for the remainder of your employment? They've already told you that you are fired, so you might as well screw around for the final two weeks. You give your employer two weeks notice (4 if you are in a significant managerial position) so that they have an opportunity to fill the position before you leave to minimize down time. This is considered a professional courtesy, and when you apply for a job 2 years down the road and they call HR at your former employer they won't have to say "yeah one day he just called in and said that he quit" which would show that you are flakey.

OP: the bottom line is HR maintains a file on you whether you give them written notice or not. A letter gives them something tangible to refer to when potential employers do a reference check. Otherwise the HR manager writes something of his own choosing in your file which could be something such as "employee abruptly terminated employment." A letter is pretty much required, and a face to face meeting in addition to the letter is preferable, but not a substitute.
 
Originally posted by: tami
kranky, i don't know. i just feel like i'd want to express more in the letter than make it short and simple -- but i know that such an action isn't wise either.

i'm not going to go ahead and not give them the letter, but i just wish a verbal discussion would solidify my resignation.
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Look, the decision to resign is yours, it isn't something that they can talk you out of. The letter should be easy for you to write because you can *revise* what you write before handing it in. Basically however all that you should say is: "thank you for the opportunity, I've learned a lot, I've been offered a position with another company that is a better fit, please consider this my two weeks notice" just make the letter flow a bit better and you dont' need any more information.
 
just tell your boss that you are giving notice. If they want to keep you they might offer more money. A written letter before you leave is appropriate as well. 10 months at a job generally doesn't look good on a resume.
 
Originally posted by: xrax
just tell your boss that you are giving notice. If they want to keep you they might offer more money. A written letter before you leave is appropriate as well. 10 months at a job generally doesn't look good on a resume.
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to be perfectly honest, there are a lot of cons to the current job that the new job will address satisfactorily, including salary (this is a BIG step up and there's no way the old company can afford to keep me). and yes, you are correct, 10 months at a job generally does not look good on a resume, but knowing that there's no gap in my resume is even better. (i have two big gaps because of getting married last year and because of a family emergency that required me to fly out of state the year before -- and at both of my last job interviews, the questions regarding those gaps arose -- but i handled it well, and naturally, for both jobs, i got hired on the day of the interview).

new question for you folks:

while there have been some bumps in the road, my tenure at the company has been a relatively positive one. i would want to thank everyone at the company who has influenced me positively and who has enabled me to grow as much as i did in the ten months that i was there. is it unusual to leave a small gift to those select individuals -- with notes attached -- thanking them for teaching me and for giving me the opportunity to work there? i guess it's a more personal kind of resignation letter with no strings attached (i'd hand in my resignation letter tomorrow, and while i aid in helping the new employee transition next week, i'd also pay tokens of thanks to those who have really helped me out.)

if it is not unusual, what kind of gifts would be appropriate? obviously i'm not looking to spend a lot (i'd say a good $10 a gift max), but i do think it would be nice to thank those people where it's due.
 
I've never seen anyone give gifts when leaving a job, but I don't see anything wrong with it. I would advise being discreet about it just so someone who isn't getting one doesn't have to see them handed out.

I have no idea what would be appropriate, never seen it done.
 
Didn't read most of the responses, but just a short, one sentence letter will suffice.

Do not take make it sound like an award acceptance speech.

All you have to do is provide written notice that you will be leaving.

"To whom it may concern:

Friday April 28th will be my last day with such and such company.

Regards,

tami"

Without a written notice, many companies will not consider you eligible for re-hire. It's always good to stay in good with a company that you didn't mind working for in case things don't work out.

If anyone asks you about it, just say "I got an opportunity that I couldn't refuse."

Don't buy gifts for people. If anything, build them a cake or cookies or something on your last day. Buying gifts for people can be thought of as saying "Hah, I'm making the big bucks now, here's a parting gift for you no-talent ass clowns!". That, and if you don't get EVERYONE a gift, then someone will feel left out and will hate you.

Overall advice: Keep everything on the downlow and under the rader, and just be direct and to the point.
 
Originally posted by: Injury

Don't buy gifts for people. If anything, build them a cake or cookies or something on your last day. Buying gifts for people can be thought of as saying "Hah, I'm making the big bucks now, here's a parting gift for you no-talent ass clowns!". That, and if you don't get EVERYONE a gift, then someone will feel left out and will hate you.
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i just need to add that you make a good point -- but one thing i haven't mentioned is that my company has 12 people -- myself included (and a new hire that started literally 2 weeks ago... she wouldn't hate me, she never really knew me as we're in different departments).

for my company, one letter would be enough. the HR "department" is the VP of the company, who happens to be the wife of the president and founder of the company. when i announce my resignation, it will make waves whether i want it to or not.

but thinking about the presents -- i have no intention to use it as a brag gift. i sincerely do want to complement each gift with a thank you note for each of the individuals who really contributed to my self-growth. in that way, i don't see it as sticking my new opportunity in their faces but rather showing my genuine gratitude which will be hard to do now that i'm pulling the plug on the company.
 
just a heads up: i did it. it was tough since i hate being the bearer of bad news and still have fond memories of the place.

i need a hug.
 
Originally posted by: tami
just a heads up: i did it. it was tough since i hate being the bearer of bad news and still have fond memories of the place.

i need a hug.
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*hug*.

btw, I think the best way to do it is to let them know face to face first before handing a letter.
 
cal, where are you at? 🙂

the deed has been done, and they requested it in writing -- which i wrote up last night, but i was so nervous that i forgot to sign it. so they came back to me and before they could say anything, i was like, "uh, yeah, i didn't sign it."

to be perfectly honest, i took the resignation harder than they did. despite those few bumps in the road, it's been a relatively wonderful experience for me and the folks have been really great.

anyway, the announcement was handled well. they are sad to see me go but i spent the majority of the morning teaching the other dudes everything i know. they knew that the new guys want me to start sooner than later, so they told me that today was my last day.

i guess the presents thing won't be necessary anymore. all in all, it was a really great opportunity and i do feel a little void that makes me sad, but i know it's all for the best and that i'll be moving onto great things.
 
I have a friend who just stops showing up for work. No letter, no call, nothing. Just quits going one day. He does this like like at least every 6 months, or however soon he finds a different job - usually like waitering or pizza delivery type jobs.
 
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