According to Len Schlesinger, a professor at Harvard Business School, the bookends (how you start and how you end) are the most important part of any professional relationship. The way you go about giving notice is therefore extremely important. If you’ve never done it before, it can be hard to know where to start. And even if you have done it before, it never hurts to refresh your memory, so read on for our top tips for giving notice at work.
Do it in person
Try to give notice in person if you can. HR expert Jamie Hichens says you should go directly to your manager when you are resigning. As tempted as you may be to tell your work friends first, the last thing you want is for your employer to hear that you’re leaving through the grapevine. This is unprofessional, but it’s also rude on a more personal level. You want to leave on good terms with your manager, not only because you’re a nice person but also because you want to keep your network intact and ensure that any future hiring managers who ask your manager about you are going to hear good things! You’ll also want to make sure to adhere to the notice length in your contract.
Give written notice
Hopefully you’ve been able to give notice in person. Now, do it in writing, too. Even if your contract does not require this, it’s definitely worth having it written down so that there’s a record of it. Your letter should include details like a statement of your intention to resign, the date of your last day of work, and some niceties to finish. You don’t need to go into a huge amount of detail as to why you’re leaving - be as open or as vague as you are comfortable. Most importantly, make sure the tone of your letter is courteous and respectful. It’s never a good idea to go in all guns blazing with loads of heavy criticism about your job, your manager or your workplace. Remember, you’re trying to maintain that professional network, so keep your letter positive and polite!
If you need some inspiration, you can find resignation letter templates here.
Offer to help with the transition
You’re not obligated to do this, but it is a gesture your employer will definitely appreciate. What this entails will vary depending on your situation. If it’s feasible, you may offer to train your replacement. Another way to help could be to leave contact details for your replacement so that they can ask you questions after you’ve left. It’s totally up to you, and your manager may not even take you up on your offer, but it will certainly be appreciated. In fact, Hichens calls it a ‘big no-no’ to leave without helping to organise an exit plan.
Express gratitude
Whatever your reason for leaving your current job, it’s always a good idea to end things on a positive note. You may have some negative things you’d like to get off your chest but try to hold it in. Find something you can thank your manager for - whether it’s the resources they offered to help your growth, a good management style, or simply just thanking them for the opportunity.
Ask for a LinkedIn recommendation
You will probably have asked for a reference, but also asking for a LinkedIn recommendation is a good idea. 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn regularly and 3 people are hired through LinkedIn every minute. Clearly, your LinkedIn profile is an extremely valuable asset when it comes to advancing your career, so make the most of it. If you can get some glowing recommendations on there, you will stand out from the crowd and entice future employers without any extra work on your part.
So, whether it’s your first time giving notice or you’ve done it before a few times, hopefully our tips will help you to get through it smoothly and keep all those relationships you’ve nurtured. If you’re not quite at the giving notice stage yet but are looking for new opportunities, keep your eyes peeled on the Ruby Magpie LinkedIn page, where we regularly post job openings.