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The
Professional Way To Resign
Preparing
Your Resume
/ The
Successful Interview
/
The Professional Way to Resign
You've been highly
professional during the interview process and have
landed the position...
Now is the time to be
just as professional in resigning from your current
employer.
Make an appointment with
your manager and prepare a brief letter of resignation.
(Consult your recruiter for tips on writing an effective
letter)
- During the meeting
calmly and concisely explain that you have made a
decision to resign, and make it clear that your
decision is final.
- Retain your poise if
the meeting becomes tense.
- Don't burn bridges.
Be
Wary of a Counteroffer
It's
natural to resist change and avoid disruption, and your
present employment is no exception. If you're doing a
good job your employer will not want to lose you, and
you can expect a counter-offer even though you have
accepted a position elsewhere.
So long as you haven't
started your new position, the company and your boss are
going to woo you. You'll be seduced with more money; you
may get, or at least be promised, a promotion. The
appeal will be emotional in nature. There will be an
apology made in the form of not knowing of your
dissatisfaction. Your boss may even enlist a senior vice
president or the president to help convince you that
you're making a mistake.
In short, it is
guaranteed that you will hear the following in some form
or another:
| "We
have plans for you that will come to fruition
the first of next month - it's my fault for
not telling you."
"I
shouldn't do this, but I'm going to let you in
on some confidential information. We're in the
process of reorganizing and it will mean a
significant promotion for you within six
months."
"We'll
match your new offer and even better it by
"x" percent. This raise was supposed
to go into effect the first of next quarter
anyway, but because of your fine record we'll
start it immediately."
"When
I told our president of your decision, he told
me he wants to have dinner with you and your
spouse as soon as possible. You just tell me
when, and he'll drop everything to discuss
this situation with you."
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The employment
marketplace is such that talented employees are in
demand. If you are currently employed by a good and
progressive company, you should not have to resign in
order to get the raise you deserve.
While a counteroffer may be flattering, there can be
drawbacks. And think about the following:
- Is the
counteroffer a ploy to avoid short-term
inconvenience?
- Will your
career track remain blocked?
- Will you still
be reporting to a person you distrust?
- Will your
responsibilities be expanded?
- Have others
who've accepted counteroffers in your
company been fairly treated?
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If your answers to any of
these questions are not positive, then it's time to move
on. Remember, your first decision is most likely your
best decision. If a counter offer puts you in a
dilemma, contact your recruiter for advice. Here are
some good reasons for not accepting a counteroffer:
- You have now made
your employer aware that you are unhappy. From
this day on, your loyalty will always be in
question. When promotion time comes around, or
when times get tough, your employer will remember
who is loyal and who is not.
- Accepting a
counteroffer is really a belated confirmation of
the contributions you have made.
- Where is the money
for the counteroffer coming from? All companies
have wage and salary guidelines that must be
followed. Is it your next raise, early?
Making
the Transition
As a
professional, your career decisions must be made
objectively, free of the emotional pressures you are
likely to experience. Others will try to influence you,
but sometimes only you know the extent of your
dissatisfaction with your current position.
Resigning a position
where you were personal friends with some of your
co-workers, is a difficult moment. Remember, their
intention is to tell you how much they like you, not to
undermine your decision making about your new position.
It is commonly thought
that the most appropriate and flattering response to
someone resigning a position is an emotional outpouring
of, "The old place won't be the same without
you." Anticipate this is going to happen.
Before the word that you
are leaving spreads, be prepared for how you are going
to address your co-workers. The most professional, and
probably most honest and accurate, is to simply tell
people that this new opportunity was simply too good to
pass up.
Last
Words of Advice
By making a well
thought out decision before you accept an offer, you can
avoid many problems. Remember that your recruiter is a
professional career counselor and is a valuable resource
as you work through the interviewing and hiring process.
Be candid in discussing your concerns as well as your
aspirations, and trust your own thoughtful decision
making process.
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