Many people dream of leaving their current job, whether to join a different company, start their own business, or simply because they are dissatisfied with their current role. Regardless of the reason, it’s crucial to avoid burning bridges when you depart. Understanding how to quit a job without making enemies is essential.
We’re sure that everyone reading this has had days at a job that made them want to pull a Steven Slater. Steven is the infamous JetBlue flight attendant who had to deal with one rude passenger too many.
He grabbed the PA microphone, announced to the plane full of people he was quitting, grabbed two beers, deployed the emergency shoot, and slid to freedom and into legend. (It’s the grabbing of two beers for the ride down the shoot part that makes him a legend.)
Or maybe you like your job, your work environment, your boss, and your co-workers well enough but really want to leave to start a business.
No matter your situation, there is a right way and a wrong way to quit your job.
Unless you’re joining the Witness Protection Program as part of your new opportunity, chances are you’ll cross paths with or even need something from your former employer or former colleagues eventually. So let’s make sure you leave on a positive note. Because Steven Slater is not doing too well these days.
Go Fire Yourself
In 2007 Laurel Staples quit her job as a mechanical engineer to launch her popular blog, Go Fire Yourself. She has also written a book about how to quit your job and run your own business and works as a business coach, teaching those same skills.
Even a secure job you hate can be frightening to leave. However, Laurel advises trusting your gut and remembering that this isn’t a permanent decision. Quitting your current position doesn’t mean you’ll be forever unemployable.
How To Quit Your Job
Before fantasizing about your last day, ensure you’ve laid the groundwork. Why are you leaving your current employer? The reasons might be clear: you dislike your job and colleagues, have a better offer, or are relocating.
But if you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, underpaid, or un-challenged, those may be temporary situations that can be addressed.
Of course, if you feel any of those things and you hate your job, by all means, leave. But if most of the time you’re pretty happy, speak to your boss and see if there are changes that can be made that would make you happier and allow you to stay.
In this iconic bestseller, popular business blogger and bestselling author Seth Godin proves that winners are really just the best quitters.
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Get the Timing Right
Don’t resign a week before annual bonuses are distributed; this much is clear. However, there are additional circumstances where the timing to leave a job may not be ideal. If you’re considering quitting to start your own business, ensure you have an adequate financial bridge. More details on this will follow.
The old adage about verbal contracts holds true: never resign from your current job until you have a written offer from a new employer. Or even worse, quit because you’re sure you nailed your job interview. It’s like picking out a wedding dress because you think a first date went well. You don’t actually know what the person across the desk (or dinner table) is really thinking.
Imagine quitting is some kind of spectacular, “take this job and shove it” fashion only to have to come crawling back because a verbal offer didn’t turn into a real offer or that job interview didn’t go nearly as well as you thought because you never heard back.
Give Proper Notice
This expectation can seem unfairly biased towards the employer, especially given the reality of at-will employment.
This term means that an employer can terminate an employee for any reason without warning.
In at-will employment states, the employer generally has more freedom to terminate employees without a specific reason. However, employees still have some legal protections. They can sue for wrongful termination if they believe they were fired for an illegal reason. Additionally, depending on the situation, they might be able to sue for lost wages.
In the United States, all states and D.C. follow at-will employment laws. This means both you and your employer can sever the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice. While giving two weeks’ notice is a professional courtesy that can preserve positive bridges, it’s not legally required. The employer isn’t obligated to provide any advance warning before letting you go, though some companies might have internal policies on notice periods.
Regardless of how an employer might handle your termination, proper notice is an essential part of resigning professionally.
Prepare a Letter of Resignation
A resignation letter might seem old-fashioned, but like a well-written thank-you note, it remains a professional courtesy. Here’s what to include:
- A clear statement of your resignation.
- The date of your last day of work.
- A brief explanation for your departure.
- An expression of gratitude for the time you spent with the company.
- Your contact information (optional)
While this isn’t the place to vent frustrations, a positive statement about your next step is a nice touch. You could mention accepting a new position or pursuing a new opportunity
Express sincere gratitude in your thank-you section. Mention the opportunities you had to learn and grow in your field, the valuable knowledge you gained, or the supportive work environment.
Remember, a resignation letter becomes part of your personnel file, which most companies retain for some time after your departure.
Including your contact information is optional. While it can be helpful for your former employer to reach you for administrative purposes like tax forms or 401(k) information, it’s not essential.
Make it a Smooth Transition
Submitting your resignation letter with a casual toss on your boss’s desk is unprofessional. Instead, schedule a meeting to inform them you’ve found a new position or are moving on. Your boss might include HR in the meeting.
This is the opportune moment to present your resignation letter. Depending on your company’s protocol, you might have an exit interview in your final weeks.
New projects likely won’t be assigned during this time. Focus on ensuring a smooth transition by delegating unfinished tasks to your boss and, if possible, training your replacement. Document your job duties and the location of important files for their reference.
Should You Stay?
If your boss makes a counteroffer in an attempt to keep you, should you stay? The answer depends on your initial reasons for leaving. If your primary motivation is a higher salary and the counteroffer matches or exceeds the new job’s offer, then staying might be the right choice.
If you’re leaving to start a business, the answer also might be yes. Maybe you can negotiate a situation that would allow you more time to work on your business like working from home at least some of the time, a four day, ten hours per day work week, or transitioning to part-time.
However, if you are simply fed up, a higher salary is unlikely to improve the situation, and it’s probably best to move on.
Be Reachable
When leaving a job, it’s important to remain reachable for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to facilitate a smooth transition of your responsibilities to your successor, ensuring that ongoing projects or tasks don’t suffer due to your departure.
Being available to answer questions or clarify details about your previous role can greatly assist your former team and demonstrate professionalism. Additionally, maintaining open lines of communication can help preserve positive relationships with former colleagues and employers, which can be invaluable for networking and future references.
Being reachable post-departure reflects well on your professional reputation, showing that you are thoughtful and responsible, qualities that are highly regarded in any industry.
You Need a Bridge
Leaving a job to start a business is significantly more daunting than transitioning to a new job. A new job typically offers the security of a regular paycheck, health insurance, a 401(k), and paid vacation—benefits that are crucial for financial and personal stability. Before making the leap to entrepreneurship, it’s important to carefully consider these factors and plan accordingly.
You need a bridge or a runway, enough money to see you through until your business can sustain you. Ideally, you’ve been able to get things started and are making some money while still employed.
Andrew balanced his day job with working on LMM for years. When he finally took the leap, he had established a solid foundation.
It’s also crucial for your partner to agree with your plans. Embarking on a new business venture might require your partner to become the sole breadwinner, make significant financial sacrifices, and assume a greater share of household responsibilities while you focus on getting the business off the ground.
I built a small bridge and then jumped off.
Tweet ThisWhat if your partner isn’t totally on board? Perhaps you can delay quitting your job until the business is making enough money to cover your share of the household expenses, or you can offer to put an end date on your experiment. If by “X” date, you’re not making enough or any money, you’ll look for a job.
Chris identified 1,500 individuals who have built businesses earning $50,000 or more from a modest investment (in many cases, $100 or less), and focused on the 50 most intriguing case studies.
It All Boils Down To…
How to quit a job comes down to one simple life rule that applies in a lot of situations. Don’t be a dick. Even if every colleague has been difficult, it’s important to leave on good terms. You never know when you might need assistance or a favor from someone you used to work with.
Show Notes
Smuttynose Bouncy House IPA: an all-occasion American ale.
Blue Coat Gin Martini
Go Fire Yourself: Laura’s podcast
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Mark spent over 30 years as a senior finance executive in Private Banking, Asset Management and Alternative Investments. Mark holds a BS in Accounting from Brooklyn College, an MBA in Finance from Pace University as well as being sponsored to attend The Wharton School Executive Development Program.
