How to Resign: Tips for Resigning with Confidence

2 days ago by Renee Yeong
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In the complex landscape of professional development, how you leave a job can be just as important as how you performed in it. Your resignation is more than just a simple conversation or a piece of paper, it's a pivotal moment that can define your professional reputation for years to come.

This article will look at how you can resign with confidence and the key principles of the resignation process, including how to:

Prepare thoroughly before you resign

Write a formal letter of resignation

What to say when you resign and what to avoid

Handle any potential challenge

What to do after you resign

Leave on good terms

Preparation is key: what to do before you resign

It is essential to prepare thoroughly before your resignation meeting, and have a clear, confident plan. Organise and collate your personal work documents, including your contract of employment and any formal letters from the company. Read through and understand your current employment contract and be ready to discuss your transition professionally. It is important to show your employer that you’ve considered ongoing project timelines and team dynamics in your decision to resign.

To build your confidence, write down a clear and concise draft of what you want to say in your resignation, including your decision to resign, your appreciation for the opportunities, your commitment to a smooth transition, and your specific last working day. Rehearsing your resignation script with a mentor or family member will help you to practise a positive, professional tone and assertive body language. You can also prepare your answers to potential questions that might arise. According to Richard Nelson Bolles, successful job transitions rely heavily on "confident, clear communication." Focus on maintaining steady eye contact, confident posture, and speaking clearly. Approach your resignation with a positive mindset and professional attitude, and what could be an awkward conversation can be transformed into a confident opportunity for growth and reflection.

It’s normal to have stress or anxiety about your career transition during this period, and it’s not necessarily a sign of a bad decision. According to The New York Times, when people feel anxious, if it’s in the context of a life change, it’s often an indication that they’re ‘on the right track’.

Writing an exemplary resignation letter

According to Forbes, your formal letter of resignation is a critical element of resigning because it’s in your permanent record, it clarifies your notice period and it can avoid confusion and conflict. Make sure that the tone is polite and professional, and keep the contents brief, only including relevant information. Indeed advises that your letter of resignation should be positive, whatever your reasons for leaving. Use the formal template structure for a resignation letter below:

<Date>

RE: Notice of Resignation from employment at <Current Employer>

Dear <Manager’s Name>,

Please accept this formal letter of resignation from my position as <Job Title> as of <Date>.

I am very thankful for the opportunities given to me at <Current Employer> during the past <length of employment>. I really appreciate all of the guidance, support and help I’ve received at <Current Employer>.

I am committed to making the transition as smooth as possible during my notice period, including training my replacement and finishing any outstanding projects to the best of my ability.

I wish <Current Employer> continued success along with my colleagues for the future.

Sincerely,

What to say (and what to avoid)

What to say/do:

Schedule a private 1-1 meeting with your manager to resign in person.

Print out a copy of your formal letter of resignation to give to your manager after the meeting. I would also recommend emailing it, so you have a time stamp.

State your intention to resign clearly and politely, including your notice period length and your final day.

Express your gratitude for the support of your manager and thank them for the professional opportunities you’ve been offered during your time working there.

Your manager may be surprised or emotional about your decision, so make sure that you stay calm and collected, keeping your attitude positive and professional.

Avoid:

Do not make any negative comments about the company during your resignation meeting or notice period. If you feel you need to offer constructive advice, keep this for your exit interview, but ensure your reasoning remains positive and polite.

Avoid talking about personal experiences you’ve had at the company, rather than goals and aspirations. For example, if you were unhappy with a lack of career progression, you can positively frame your rationale for leaving by saying that ‘I am looking for an opportunity that aligns more closely with my career goals.’

Don’t expect your manager to redistribute your workload for you. Support your team by filling them in on unfinished projects or hand them over to another employee.

Handling potential challenges

Counteroffers from your current employer

For most companies, the cost of replacing is often higher than retaining an employee. Replacing employees can also disrupt team dynamics, ongoing projects and so companies will want to avoid potential talent loss by proposing a counteroffer. It is important that they confirm the offer in writing and analyse the total compensation package before responding. Evaluate the benefits, growth opportunities, and the long-term potential objectively for staying with your current employer.

Be wary of red flags, such as promises of future promotions, last-minute changes to your role and emotional manipulation strategies. The Cut recommends asking yourself honestly if the counteroffer addresses the underlying reasons for your resignation, and why it took a resignation to trigger this offer. Will you be happy long-term, or are similar problems likely to emerge?

Change in the workplace dynamics

When you hand in your resignation letter, and your day-to-day work experience transitions from being a core team member to someone who is actively preparing to leave, be prepared for the workplace dynamics around you to shift. You will have a lower involvement in decision-making processes and your responsibilities could be redistributed as your team as they adapt to your approaching exit.

Power dynamics within your team may also change. As your involvement and influence at the company grows smaller, your colleagues might position themselves to fill your place once you leave. Your resignation might be an opportunity for them to advancement their career, while others may feel their own job situation is threatened by the changes at work.

Recognise that these changes to your work-life are natural, not personal. Stay committed to your workload, plan a smooth transition and try to preserve the professional relationships with colleagues and managers that you've cultivated during your employment.

What to expect after you resign

Employer reference

Securing a positive professional reference from your employer is essential for your future career: how you handle your formal resignation and the impression that you leave with the company will affect how your references speak about your work experience and character to potential employers.

Harvard Business Review claims that a good reference can verify your work experience and talk about your qualifications and character. Supervisors and managers are usually the strongest recommendations as they have direct experience of working with you. To ensure a positive reference, make sure that you maintain a good attitude at work, never say negative things about the company, and continue to put the same effort into your work as you finish your notice period. Asking your colleagues for a LinkedIn recommendation will also go a long way as these are visible when potential employers review your LinkedIn profile.

Social media

And speaking of LinkedIn – it can be tempting to post about your new job before you’ve started. I would avoid this. Consider how your current employer may feel and keep your posts positive and thankful. Remember this is your personal brand and reputation, and it will be visible for the world to see. When you have left the business, I’d advise waiting at least a week after starting your new job, before posting about your new opportunity and changing your employer/title online. This way, you can be sure that the work transition is completed, and you are happy in your new job. Always check what your new employer's social media policy is first, so you can ensure compliance and start off on the right foot.

Formal handover

According to RWA Business, you should dedicate a significant portion of your notice period to compiling a proper handover to ensure a smooth transition. Your handover should be clear with detailed notes that fully outline any processes and procedures to help any new or existing staff members that pickup your work. TEDx Speaker, Nancy Ekpezu, believes that presenting a thorough handover demonstrates your responsibility, professionalism, and dedication to the company's success. Ensure that your handover includes the following key considerations:

A detailed description of your day-to-day tasks

Ongoing projects, deadlines, progress and milestones

Performance tracking methods and reporting processes

A list of relevant login credentials

A list of key contacts, vendors and ongoing communications

The locations of important files and documents

Preparation for your exit interview

Your exit interview is a growth opportunity for both you and your employer. Your goal for the exit interview should be to provide valuable insights that could help the company improve. Approach the interview with professionalism, honesty, and a constructive mindset, regardless of your personal feelings.

To prepare, reflect on your positive and challenging experiences at the company. Review your employment contract and professional development during your employment. Key topics that you may want to address during the exit interview include:

An honest but respectful reason for your resignation

What you’ve learned and appreciated

Professional development areas

Feedback about management practices and workplace culture

Suggestions that could benefit future employees

Confirming your final payslip

Returning company property

Remember that an exit interview is not just about your resignation, but about leaving a final positive, professional impression with the company that will follow you the rest of your career.

If you don’t feel the feedback might not be taken well, or may affect how they handle your transition, it may be best to keep your constructive feedback to yourself.

Leaving on good terms

How you conduct yourself during your final weeks speaks volumes about your character. Make sure that you maintain professionalism, and a steady work ethic. Avoid the temptation to mentally "check out" or let your work commitments slip.

Take some time to reflect the experiences and growth opportunities you've experienced during your employment. Where appropriate, set up brief meetings with key mentors and supervisors to express your appreciation in person, particularly those who have played a significant role in your professional development. Highlight specific projects or moments that were particularly meaningful to your career growth.

Relationships with coworkers and industry contacts are valuable assets for your career journey. Maintain your connections on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to share industry insights or congratulating former colleagues on their achievements.

Remember that industries are smaller than they seem and it’s important to maintain professional relationships that you may need to leverage in your future career.

Now you’re ready to resign, why not line up your first interview?

Visit our live jobs page to explore the exciting Insurance and Technology opportunities available today or submit your CV and one of our specialist consultants will be in touch.

Start a conversation with us by uploading your CV to our website or connect with the author, Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, Renee Yeong here.