What to say while quitting your job? It is a question that arises in everyone’s mind when they resign from their job. There may be many reasons, sometimes even a single reason, that can make you decide and get ready for a resignation.
The reason can be anything or many things, but when it comes to expressing and explaining the same with the higher authority in detail, the problem begins.
We’d like to say that expressing the issues to the point, exactly how you are facing them, bearing their consequences, and thanking them for the opportunity and support in the journey experienced is not what you can do with your eyes shut.
So here’s a briefing on what to say when you quit your job.
What To Say When You Quit Your Job
Even though you think twice, sometimes you can’t find a proper answer to this question. So, if you want to quit a job, here are a few tips that will help you quit a job and tell the boss with peace of mind and satisfaction.
1. Formal Letter Of Resignation
In the formal letter of resignation, don’t forget to mention the below things.
- Address it to the manager
- Include resignation -your name in the subject line.
- State in a clear tone that you are going to resign.
- State shortly the reason for your resignation letter and a polite thanks in the end.
2. Express Gratitude For Your Current Job
Express gratitude for the journey you had with the company and boss, and be thankful for the support given by your team and colleagues. Leave a positive note along with your resignation letter.
Try to be positive and thankful even if your terms are not good with the higher authority otherwise it may lead to burning bridges behind you which can drastically affect your career growth in the future. Be hopeful; if you think of someone you know who can fit the role then refer them.
Remember that you may come across a situation where you may have to work in the same organization where you quit a job in the past, or you may come across the people you worked with in the past in a new organization. Don’t forget the saying as you sow, so you reap, so be polite and thankful to everyone for what you have.
3. A New Job Opportunity – Explain It Simply
If you are leaving the company or the workplace with a job offer due to better increments, rotational shifts, or any issues regarding your timings, please feel free to mention that while resining.
Mention those reasons by which you have decided to quit, and you also found a workplace where you can achieve better so that, if the company or workplace needs you and the management is not willing to let you go, then you may get an increment and the other things you wish which can be provided.
Being on good terms with the boss and maintaining a friendly professional relationship with coworkers helps build a network. Their positive feedback may also help you in the new job opportunity. Even if you experience any humiliation, try to be polite and calm, and don’t step in the wrong way, which may result in a bad reference from the employer.
4. Weeks’ Notice
When you decide to quit the job, please talk with your boss and superiors and let the organization know how much notice period you must submit.
Try to inform your formal superior about your resignation as soon as possible, at least three to four weeks or a month before you want to leave the job.
Be ready with your formal resignation letter and mention the last date or final day so that formalities of your official termination process can be organized and completed quickly, like issuing certificates, memos, key documents, etc.
Two Weeks Notice
If you want to quit immediately, try giving at least two weeks’ notice before your final day because, legally, there can be obligations(under the fair work act) about your contract, which may lead to a penalty.
A proper two weeks notice includes giving notice two weeks before your last day with a formal letter of resignation, goodbye mail with best wishes, thanks to co-workers, a detailed description of duties to your team, and being productive and sportive during the period of notice, and maintaining good terms and staying positive in the workplace including the final two weeks.
Don’t leave any work pending on the final day, and never gossip about your resignation to coworkers and team members, which may result in bad remarks for you at the time you leave and can affect your career in the future.
Shortest Notice Period
You can also leave due to a medical emergency like physical harm, accident, health issue, or other complicated issues. In that case, you can give the shortest 1-week notice if possible or inform in-person or face-to-face meeting or at least through a virtual meeting or video call(at least call your boss in-person on the phone) in an emergency.
5. Dealing With The Resignation
When once you decided to quit your job be aware of every step that you are going take in the process of resignation because how you are going to leave the workplace matters equally as what you have done for the organization. It even impacts a lot on your career in the future.
Be clear and aware of proper resignation etiquette and how to tell your boss positively and outline the reasons to leave and drop constructive feedback that helps to avoid burning bridges for your career in the future.
It is always suggested to inform about the resignation on Friday or Monday so that you and the organization can reconsider this. Resigning the job may result in many uncertainties, so you should be prepared with all the following possibilities.
Do you have good terms with your former employer? In that case, management may consider your resignation letter and ask you to continue here by offering a higher pay scale or to stay longer based on your performance, so be prepared emotionally to stay strong with your decision.
If you are in denial to the company and have a history of excellent performance in achieving company goals, and if you are facing any traveling issues in your current job, they may offer you to work remotely, so be prepared to answer questions of that type yes or no with a clear explanation.
Don’t be pessimistic and sad about what you have done for the company. Stay optimistic at the workplace.
Even if you have bad terms with the organization, they might ask your second opinion and request you to stay longer based on your work and performance, don’t be arrogant and doubt be in a dilemma about your next step. Be prepared with anything, and be polite and positive.
6. Handling The Exit interview
An exit interview, part of the resignation process, is one such thing where you should be careful about your words and answers to the interview questions in a personal meeting by HR of your company.
In general, the questions you answer are about your career growth graph, new skills you have learned, and how the company provides training, experience, and feedback on completed and current projects you have worked on since you joined the company in a separate meeting in, which remains confidential.
No matter how tough the question sounds, remember that only your opinion matters, and try to give genuine answers positively without hurting others with your words. Don’t be too harsh or too sensitive while telling the truth about your work experiences and company with HR.
Sample Questions Asked At The Exit Interview
Exit interview and your replies to the questions should be in a smooth transition, and be prepared to face interview questions like how you feel about company policies and training provided.
Be prepared with genuine answers to questions like –
- Do you feel that the company charged extra for any unnecessary things?
- Have you ever felt that the job description was different when you applied and changed after hiring?
- Are you satisfied with the company?
- Do you feel your current position improved you more than your last job?
- Have you ever felt that what you are learning is irrelevant to the present job or your dream job?
Do’s And DONT’S Of The Exit Interview
Tell sweetly and shortly why you decided to quit a job. Specify the reason clearly but don’t prolong the answer by explaining all the incidents one by one and how you were disappointed at the workplace.
Even though you mention reasons to quit the job, also mention the moment you enjoyed at the workplace, especially when the company achieved its goals, and convey your thanks and happiness for being a part of that.
Mention the job benefits and positive sides of your position and explain how well you are satisfied with the organization and working environment. Be honest when it comes to valued work and appreciation. Don’t admire anything about the organization just for the namesake.
Be optimistic and cool while answering; if you feel good about the organization, recommend it to others, especially co-workers and employers. Share the same with HR and, if necessary, suggest your thoughts about improvement regarding the work.
Don’t make immature comments or report silly things. Please remember to mention your requirements as your team’s or colleagues’ requirements.
Please don’t be rude while replying to the questions; please be sure to boost up about the new job that you are getting paid more money as a new employer and point out loopholes in the previous job. Your statement should always sound positive, bringing a smile to the interviewer’s face. Click here for more such tips.
7. Positioning A Transition Plan
A position transition plan is one of the best things that results in a positive professional relationship with employers and the organization. You can help by helping the new employer in training.
You can request and suggest requirements and replacements of candidates to the boss in a personal meeting. Try to complete your current projects as soon as possible and offer help to your current employee.
Remember to return the office equipment like the computer and project-related files properly before your last day. Double-check and keep a checklist to sort out things better, whether in the office or to do work from home. Make sure you return office belongings before leaving.
8. Maintaining Professional Relationships
You can always maintain professional relationships with your colleagues, whether in an old job or a new position. Never quit or exit from social groups on online platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter only because you left the organization.
Maintain friendly relationships with former co-workers on online social platforms, too, so that it will help in future recommendations and vacancies, and never regret offering the help you can.
When you join a new position, update your current employment position on your Linkedin profile which brings a good impression of being active on social media.
9. Consulting A Career Coach
Consulting a coach or superior who you think is already experienced with familiar situations while making important decisions is a good thing that helps for healthy growth in your career, so never hesitate to approach someone during tough times and when you cannot decide better.
How to talk and make conversations as a new employee and what to say about quitting your job at the new workplace impacts your future career greatly. Not only at the workplace where you have left but at your new position also.
Talk to your boss in such a way that your answer should sound genuine and reasonable for questions like why did you quit a job? Your work experience on the last day and what made you choose our organization? are a few questions you can expect.
If you feel confused at any point about your next step in your career, whether it be quitting a job, joining a new position, learning new skills, or solving any problem, never hesitate to approach an expert or coach.
10. Good Communication Matters The Most
“Tell your boss you’re quitting” even though it sounds better after knowing what to say when you quit your job, there is a chance that you might be confused about how to tell your boss. If this is the scenario, start with a greeting and make eye contact while talking(be direct and focused on the issue you will tell).
Making eye contact while talking represents confidence; while speaking, maintain a medium pitch of your voice. Don’t talk too low even if only you both are in the meeting and a high pitch makes the other person feel that you are blabbering with anger or frustration, so sound strong, not loud.
When it comes to body language, others should estimate you as you look cool and stable and don’t appear stressed or painful because whatever you decide and speak, it should be with a stable mind. Your decision should not be an outcome of your pain or stress, at least not how you express it.
Finally, be prepared with a sample resignation letter, what to tell your boss, and how you will tell your boss you’re quitting. Prepare a note on it and rehearse well before scheduling an in-person meeting with your boss.
Key Takeaways
Be clear and aware of the information you want to share about your job and resignation with your team members and colleagues. Ensure to be productive and helpful to the organization and new employees even on your last day.
No matter how the situation changes, either positively or negatively, you should remain calm and confident and be patient. Don’t burn bridges with the words you have built from the beginning of your career. It’s only you who have to deal with, so be constructive and thankful to the organization.
These are some last and final important points.
- submit your resignation
- give your best during the notice period
- answer honestly at the exit interview
- exit with gratitude
Wrapping Up
Keeping all the above factors in mind, we hope you will not have any problem the next tine you are planning to quit your job.
Click here to read more.
Also check out, How Long is Maternity Leave in California.
Last Updated on March 5, 2023 by Laveleena Sharma
