Leaving Your Current Position: A Guide to Giving Notice

Are you considering a career change? Whether you’ve just had it with your boss or you’ve found a better opportunity, giving notice can be a nerve-wracking experience. But if you do it the right way, you can leave your old job on good terms and give yourself a head start on your new one. Here are four tips for delivering your 2 weeks’ notice gracefully.

1. Talk to your boss first.

There are a few benefits to giving your boss a heads up before you quit. First, it shows that you respect them and the company enough to give them a chance to try to keep you. Second, it gives them time to start looking for a replacement and begin training that person. And finally, having this conversation face-to-face is always best, but if that’s not possible, a phone call or video chat will work too.

Tip: Don't Be Vague About Your Reasons for Leaving

When resigning, it's best to be as specific as possible about your reasons for leaving. For instance, if you're resigning to take another job, you can say something like "I've been offered an opportunity that I feel is a better fit for my skill set." If you're leaving because you're unhappy with the company, it's fine to say so—just try to avoid being too negative. For example, "I'm not being challenged enough in my current role" is fine; "this company is a complete dumpster fire" is not.

2. Be positive (even if you’re not feeling it).

If you're leaving because you're unhappy with your current situation, it's tempting to vent all of your frustrations when you deliver your notice. However, this will only make the situation more difficult for everyone involved. Instead, try to focus on the good things—the skills you've learned, the people you've worked with, etc. This will help make the transition smoother and ensure that you leave on good terms.

Even if you're leaving because of negative circumstances—like a toxic work environment or an abusive boss—it's important to keep things positive. This doesn't mean pretending that everything is perfect; rather, it means focusing on the good aspects of your current situation. For example, if you're leaving because of an abusive boss, you might focus on the fact that you've learned how to stand up for yourself and handle difficult situations.

3. Offer to help with the transition.

Once you've handed in your notice, there will be a lot of work to do to get everything in order before you leave. Offer to help train your replacement or tie up any loose ends so that the transition is as seamless as possible. Not only will this help ease the burden on your coworkers, but it will also make you look good in front of your boss.

Tip: Don't Bail on Your Projects

Just because you're leaving doesn't mean you should stop doing your job—you should actually try to go above and beyond in these final weeks or months. Not only will this make things easier for whoever takes over for you, but it will also make things easier for yourself when it comes time to request those all-important letters of recommendation down the road.

4. Follow up with a thank-you note.

Saying "thank you" is always a good idea, but it's especially important when you're leaving a job. A handwritten thank-you note is a personal touch that shows how much you appreciate all that your boss and colleagues have done for you. It's also an opportunity to express your gratitude for the opportunities you've been given and the lessons you've learned while at the company.

Of course, there are other benefits to writing thank-you notes as well. For one thing, it's a great way to build relationships and create goodwill. If you're hoping to stay in touch with your boss or colleagues after leaving the company, sending a thank-you note is a great way to start off on the right foot. And if you're ever in need of a reference or recommendation down the road, the people you've thanked will be more likely to be willing (and able) to help you out.

Final Thoughts 

Making the decision to leave your job is never easy—but neither is breaking up with someone, and we all know there are certain etiquette rules we should follow in those situations too. The same goes for resigning from your job: by following these four simple tips, you can make sure you deliver your 2 weeks’ notice gracefully and set yourself up for success in your new role.