Okay, here’s the deal. I’ve been working at a small (very small) company for three months now. I have my three month review coming up and I want to express my desire to quit at that time and I’m not sure how to phrase it. I’m leaving because the managerial style of one of my bosses severly clashes with the way I work best and it’s very bad for my self esteem and confidence. He puts a negative spin on everything and never compliments or points out work well done. He makes me feel worthless and about two inches tall. Also, it’s become apparent that the business is in some serious finacial and pending legal trouble and I feel it’s a good idea to get out before the s*** hits the fan.
So, my question is, how to I phrase all of this to my boss. How do I tell her why I want to leave politely. Ideally I don’t want to burn this bridge because it is nothing personal, just a conflict of business styles I can’t deal with.
Any advice is appreciated.
Before you tell them you have any intention of leaving, make certain you have another job lined up. I know this from experience – managerial types will ALWAYS tell you that the best thing to do is to warn them before looking for a job, but that’s for their benefit, not yours. Make sure you have another job before even hinting that you might be leaving.
It’s best to be short and sweet. Merely tell them that you are sorry but you have to give them two weeks notice. If they ask you why, don’t tell them the truth – that’s the surest way of burning a bridge. Tell them that although you have enjoyed your time there, you have another opportunity to explore.
Never badmouth the place before leaving.
Don’t get mad. Stay cool.
Don’t give more information than the barest facts, even when pressured (and they usually will pressure you). Remember – name rank serial number.
I’ll enthusiatically second (third?) that remark. I never badmouth a place on the way out, and I’ve lost track of the number of jobs that have come my way out of the blue because someone I used to work for recommended me.
Doesn’t matter how you really feel - think of the fellow on the other side of the desk as a potential reference and act accordingly.
In addition, WHATEVER you do, never, EVER accept a counter-offer.
Once you cross the Rubicon that is it.
If you accept the counter-offer, and stay, your company will know you really don’t want to be there, and are only there for the money. They may be stringing you on until they find a replacement, then fire your ass. The only exception to this rule is if you are a professional athlete.
When you do get that new job lined up, in your exit interview, be diplomatic, like everyone said. You never know who you will be working with, working over, or working UNDER in the future.
Also, and this is actually just as important as the first thing I pointed out, do NOT sign any non-disclosure forms, no compete clauses, or any other documents without having an attorney review them first. They have to pay you whatever back money they owe you, including expenses, otherwise it messes up their books, besides being unethical.
What’s been posted is good counsel tactically. I’ll only add that the reality is that there is no good way to let a company know why you’re leaving. They’ll either figure it out or thay won’t. Don’t let that dillema of theirs become your baggage.
All of the above is true. Also, do remember that telling management what they are doing wrong will not make one particle of difference to those remaining. You may think you’re doing them a favor, but you’re not. They will simply make a mental note that you are a malcontent.
This letter is to inform you that I have decided to tender my resignation. My last day will be (date 2 weeks from now).
Thank you for your understanding.
Joe Employee
That’s basically it. Short and sweet. Unlike the resume cover letter, you are not trying to impress anyone. You just want a vague letter indicating your intention to leave the company and when. You don’t need to explain why. If your boss is someone you are close with, you may want to just tell them that you decided to take your career in a new direction.
The same goes for your exit interview if they have one. You might opt not to give one (what will they do, fire you?) but if you do, just be vague. You decided to go in a different direction, whatever.
Remeber YOU are the one leaving. What happens after that is THEIR problem.
Thanks for all the advice. A co-worker gave me the name and number of a placement agency that I am contacting today in hopes of getting something lined up. I will probably have to wait until after the review to leave and am trying not to feel guilty about the mess I’m going to leave them in if this happens at the wrong time. (The bosses are leaving for a month in March/April and I and another guy will be in charge, basically) Should I wait until after this to go forward? Leaving them in the lurch that way is not a positive last impression.
Well, that’s not your problem, is it? If your agreement requires 2 weeks notice, than that is all you have to give. And they are probably the ones who specified 2 weeks notice in that agreement.
But all this depends on finding another job first. Negotiate a starting date with your new job, and then give the appropriate notice to your current employer. Note that nearly all hiring companies are understanding when you say “I can’t start until x date – I have to give fair notice to my current employer”. In fact, they often respect you for that; it indicates a sense of living up to your responsibilities which they like in employees.
And if the old employer is left in the lurch by this, well, it’s their bad treatment of you that caused that, right? Don’t worry yourself over their problems.
