Parting company

Your interview has been successful and you’ve been offered the job. Are you going to take it? Weigh up the pros and cons against your current job: money, personal development, and will the new job be good for your career?

Once you’re sure you’re ready to leave, make sure you have a contractually binding offer letter before you resign.

Unless you can’t wait to get out of the door, leaving your current job will probably be difficult. Don’t burn any bridges; an amicable parting is to be aimed for, not just to avoid stress, but also because you may need references, now or at a later date, and you may even find yourself working with your colleagues again

Submit a well thought-out written resignation so as to avoid any misunderstanding about your intentions, and be prepared to handle reactions to your resignation in a calm and professional manner. Your resignation letter can be as basic as: 

Dear ****,

As per section ... of the employee handbook/ my contract of employment, I hereby give **** weeks notice of my intention to leave [organisation’s name]. 

Yours sincerely,

****

But you may want to include: 

• your thanks and appreciation for the opportunity to work with the organisation, an indication of how difficult the decision has been;
• your wishes for the organisation’s continued success;
• a note your willingness and intention to assist with the transfer of your responsibilities while you serve out your notice period.

Avoid responding to any inquiries about why you're leaving; simply say that you have been offered an opportunity that you cannot pass up. Be sure to give your best effort during the last weeks of your employment so as to leave a professional last impression. 

Your current employer may not want you to leave and might make a better offer. If this should happen, here are some points to ponder:
 

• a reputable organisation is less likely to make a counter offer;
• your intention to leave will not be forgotten, if you accept a counter offer you are likely to be replaced soon;
• if you change your mind and stay, you probably not be considered for promotion – you’ve nullified any good standing you held with the company by resigning;
• studies have shown that the things that make employees want to leave in the first place often don’t change or get any better.