Thanks for writing this one. It’s timely for me as it looks like I’ll be quiting my job, which I have enjoyed for over four years, to take on a similar but larger role at another company. I am starting to ponder how I’ll tell everyone. I’ll need many of my current co-workers as contacts in my new position, so making everyone feel good about me and my time at the company is key. There are some good suggestions here. Thanks.

I have a question for Ms. Trunk and the general community. I am about to resign from my job, and I know that my boss will not take it well. I know to be courteous and professional, but if he asks what company I am going to next, should I tell him? I work for a nonprofit, so the connections are heavy within the community and our group. I can see the situation being either positive or negative. What do you suggest?

Replying to Katie — Tell your boss. Your name will probably be on your new employer’s website soon enough. Having worked at non-profits in NYC, they love to post people’s names and bios. And sites like ZoomInfo.com troll company websites for people’s bios — here’s what a search for “Katie” turned up…

I agree with the googler that you should definitely tell your boss. If you don’t tell your boss where you are going how would you ever be able to use him as a contact in the future? It seems very confrontational to me to not tell where you’re going.

Congratulations on the new job!

If your boss will be upset that you’re leaving, it’s probably because he/she really liked the work you were doing. So this person is going to be great for your network, once she gets over the fact that you left.

Quitting a job is all about laying the foundation for future networking, and long-term mutual support. Once you leave, your relationship needs to adjust a little and then you can settle into something new with her.

But you can’t do anything of this by being secretive (at best) and deceitful (at worst). So come clean about where you are going, and, if pressed, why you have decided to move on.

Note: When you talk about why you’re leaving, the best way to phrase it, in order to preserve your relationship with your boss, is to frame your departure in a positive, non-confrontational light — what you are moving toward. As opposed to a negative light — what you are moving away from.

Good luck with the new job.

Penelope

I think most of this is solid advice. Often people do not realize the truth of: make sure the job is the problem.

I would be wary of #4 “If you want a counter-offer.”

Many companies peg you as disloyal even if they make a counter-offer you accept. Clearly, this is not ALWAYS true. But could be risky even to accept one unless you are buying time and keep looking.

It’s better to read all the professional information you can on asking for a raise, then deciding your next step.

* * * * * * * *
Interesting point. I think a lot of people do exit interviews as a way to get a counter offer. There is good evidence to show that counter offers are bad practice.

Penelope

I work in a retail venue that is open 24/7 and needs people to work all shifts, including non-traditional “mid-shifts” such as 10am-6pm, noon-8pm, 5pm-1am, etc. This has been ideal for parents and students (I am both) who need to work around children and class schedules. I have been here for 14 years and really like my job.

Two years ago this company eliminated my career path. This past March they gave notice that my entire departnment would be eliminated next March (2008). I have been carefully saving money and planning my classes so I could quit at that time.

The latest new rule forces me out now. They will accept no more requests for schedules. If you say you can work a certain day, they will schedule you whenever they need you and will not work around classes or anything else.If you need anypart of any day off, you must request the entire day off. So I have gone from a 35 hour workweek to a 16 hour one. I cannot live on 16 hours per week so I have no choice but to leave this job.

I do have plans for leaving. Savings, college classses, etc. The plans aren’t entirely complete yet because I was planning to stay for 6 more months. But 6 more months at half salary or less won’t get me any closer to my goals.

I have vacation approved for mid August. I will be gone for 2 weeks. I would like to give my 2 week notice the day before I leave and then just not return after my vacation. What I want to know is if this is proper timing? I want to do it this way because I do not want the one office gossip person (every workplace has that “one”!) to find out about this until I am gone.

As a professional recruiter, I feel compelled to comment about your suggested step #4. You should never use a resigantion as a device to get a counter-offer. First, you cannot ever be sure one will be forthcoming. Secondly, if you think your relationship with your employer is strained now, try accepting a counter-offer. The expectations will go throught the roof and you will never be looked at the same by your company. They’ll probably start figuring out how to replace you ASAP.

If you feel your position is worth salvaging, you should approach your boss, air your grievances and work to repair the relationship and improve your situation before moving on. It may be a good idea to have something in the wings before you have this conversation if you think there’s a chance you’ll be fired over bringing this up. If your problem is not addressed by this honest approach, you do need to find a new boss.

After working through this you decide it’s time to move on, alawys provide a professional notice (at least two weeks)and resist attempts from your current employer to counter-offer. You have done everything in your power to help them help you and moving on is the only way to improve your career. There are a lot more aspects to a job than money.

I agree with your other points.

Reply to clatsop:
Regarding vacationa approved in Mid-August. Give your two week notice two weeks before you leave on “vacation” so your vacation start date is actually your end date at the job. This is a much better method than not coming back from vacation and also you will get paid for this 2 weeks of vacation that you did not use, when you conceivably will not be working anyway. Not coming back from vacation is cowardly and rude.

is this ok:
i don’t have enough time to end the job before the vacation start date, so if i end the job a few days after i come back from my vacation?

but i still hand in the letter before vacation so i still take the vacation on their time

* * * * * *
It’s okay to do, but you run the risk of your company telling you not to come back after vacation. I think the more important issue is leaving on good terms, which means having all your work/projects in order when you quit.

-Penelope

i have a question about quit the job?
what can i write to the company?
how can i get vacation before quiting?
how can i get scholarship before quit
how can i leave a note befor quit

I’m in a situation that currently feels like a crisis. I’ve been at my new job for three months and have felt since day 1 that it is not a good fit, specifically working with my boss. These feelings are progressively getting stronger and I feel trapped.

I feel that it is completely unprofessional to leave a job after such a short period of time. How do I explain the stint at this company to future employers?

* * * * *

You can leave the job off your resume. Just say you were job hunting - which you were doing, in a way. You are looking for a job you want and this wasn’t it. Easier to explain long job hunt than three-month stint. And reminder: A resume is not your life story. It a document to highlight your career acheivements. When you can, leave off stuff that makes you look bad. No one puts every little thing on their resume. It would be impossible.

-Penelope

Thanks, Penelope. I went ahead and gave my two weeks notice and am now doing my best to leave with dignity and grace. My next question is, how and when do I tell fellow co-workers? I have eight more days on the job don’t want to be the topic of work gossip but don’t want to give too little notice, especially to the people I work directly with.

By the way-My boss is even trying to micromanage my resignation!

I have a question related to this I’m hoping I can get some guidance on:

I’ve been at my company for over 6 years, and it’s been a great experience but I just feel like it’s time to move on. I love and respect the people (even though sometimes way the company runs is totally dysfunctional), and getting good references is extremely important for me.

I’ve decided to make my last day at the end of April, and I already have a 2 week vacation booked for the last half of March. Should I give notice before I leave on vacation, or when I get back (that would be 1 month’s notice).

I know 1 month is more than enough, i just feel a little shady about giving notice the day after I get back from a paid vacation. Plus, my position is not going to be easy for them to replace. I welcome any and all thoughts!

Response to Chloe: One month of notice is very nice, and while they will want you to stay on even more — which you may be able to negotiate as a consultant, which could be a nice switch — your company needs to use that month to find a replacement.

When you return from vacation is a very good time to give notice, because you can say, “I had time to do some thinking.” The fact that your company is paying for your vacation is irrelevant as they have to.

I would not give notice before your vacation, and I would even wait until mid-week after getting back.

Best,
Dan