Five Steps to a Graceful Resignation

This post is contributed by Heather Johnson, who regularly writes on the topic of career exploration. She invites your questions and writing job opportunities at her personal email address: heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.

Those of us who have been in the workforce for a while have certainly burnt a bridge or two. If you have in the past, let it go and try not to repeat the mistake. Resigning from a position should be done properly, as you certainly want the reference and you will never know how an ungraceful exit will come back to haunt your career.

Follow the five steps below and you should maintain your business contacts with dignity. 

   1. Make the choice

Congratulations, you have decided to quit your job! Or have you? Sometimes, we have bad weeks or even months at our jobs. You need to seriously consider whether or not this is the right decision. If you are miserable, a change is certainly in order. However, sometimes things temporarily seem worse than they are. If you are certain you want to leave, then proceed to the next step.

2. Hatch Your Escape Plan

For some of us, quitting a job really is an escape. However, just like escaping from prison, you need to time your resignation correctly. Do you have another job offer right now or the means to support yourself until you find another position? If you are supporting a family, then you will certainly want to line up some options before you leave.

3. Give Notice

Two weeks is the standard length for a resignation notice. You are certainly not obligated to work for longer than that, so do not allow your boss to bully you into staying longer than you intended. This notice should, however, be offered in the form of a typed resignation letter. Keep it classy and do not focus on any negative aspects of your job.

4. Ask for a Reference

If you have been graceful so far, your superior(s) should have no problem with offering you a letter of recommendation. It is best to have this in hand before you leave, as it looks great to future employers and your boss may not even remember you a year from now.

5. Settle Any Loose Ends

Do you have a key to the office or anything else you need to return? Perhaps you have a 401K or unused vacation time you can cash in on. Do not forget to settle up with human resources before you walk out the door for the last time.

By making a smooth and drama-free exit from your position, you will save yourself a lot of trouble in the long run. Even if you are leaving one of the worst jobs imaginable, you are doing yourself a disservice by burning a bridge and losing the reference. After all, you paid your debts to society and should reap the benefits by gracefully taking your leave.