How to quit a job: 5 steps and 2 warnings
On some level, it’s fun to quit a job. It’s fun to remind people that they don’t own you. It’s fun to feel that burst of freedom as you walk out the door. But it’s no fun if you don’t quit right.
Before you quit, you need a semi-plan for what you’ll do next: You will either work or play. Pick one. You cannot pick sitting in front of the TV because it is lame and you will be sorry.
If you pick work, then get another job lined up before you quit, because getting a job while you have a job means that your company paid you to job hunt.
If you choose to play, make sure you have enough money to play in a way that will actually be fun. One of my most misguided attempts at play was when I took a trip to France and ended up earning room and board by chopping off chicken heads.
Before you quit you also need to make sure the job is the problem. Maybe you are the problem and you are blaming everything on the job so you don’t have to look at yourself. The Occupational Adventure offers a good way to take a look at your life to see what’s really holding you back. Do an honest assessment. If your job is not holding you back, then deal with what is, while you’re gainfully employed. Self-examination is always easier to do when you can pay your rent.
If you really do think quitting is the right decision, here’s how to tell your boss:
1. Be kind, even if you hate your boss, because your boss is not your boss anymore. She is part of your network. And some people who are jerks to work for are actually nice and fun outside of work. You don’t know until you try. So hedge your bets and be gracious on the way out, even if you don’t feel that way.
2. Make sure your boss knows that this is a good move for you. Even if you’re not sure if it’s a good move, tell your boss that it is. We all need to believe in ourselves, or else who will?
3. Put it in writing. Why are there six thousand examples of resignation letters on the Internet? You are not Winston Churchill. You can write one sentence: “I’m leaving this company on [date].” If you want to tell your boss how much you hate her, see rule number one. If you want to nail your boss for illegal behavior, see a lawyer. Don’t tell the company how to fix itself. You are leaving. If they care about your input so much they can pay you as a consultant. Which they will not, because they do not care.
4. If you want a counter-offer, give your boss enough notice to come up with one before you leave. A counter-offer is much less likely to come after you’re gone.
5. Show gratitude for what your boss has done for you. A personal thank you note is a good way to leave because your boss can reread it all the time and remember only the good things about you. This will help when you call your boss for a favor — like when you need a reference.
Also, people who express gratitude are happier than those who don’t. The National Institute of Healthcare Research reports, “People who regularly practice grateful thinking reap emotional, physical and interpersonal benefits.” So find something nice to say about your boss and you’ll feel great as you walk out the door.
I have been working at my job for 6 months, I just finished getting training out of town which costs my company quite a bit of money. I have been wanting to leave my job for a while but am trying to make sure I have another job lined up. My concern in that I am in a position that is very hard to find a replacement for, and I am wondering that me giving my notice (kindly and fairly) and screwing the company over can make me liable to their loss of income after I leave.
Hi, its understandable article along with this YouTube video; I can’t imagine that one can not understand this straightforward post having with video demonstration.
Is anyone still going to reply to this? It’s really old, but I hope someone does.. I need advice. I just started a new job this week and I already hate it and the boss. It’s not the job I thought it was and I’m not impressed with the company or the employees at all. This is not the place for me. I’ve never quit a job before so I’m not sure what to do. Also, i signed paperwork after starting the job and I’m not sure if anything will happen if i quit. I think there was something in there about having to give 2 weeks notice, but I REALLYY don’t want to stay tripple of what I’ve already went through. Can they do anything?
Basically I have a couple shifts coming up, actually tomorrow, the next day and the upcoming weekend.. and I don’t want to go to ANY of them.. I know not showing up isnt the best thing to do, but I’ve only been there a week and I don’t need them as a reference or anything like that.
Ughhh what do I do!?
Kayla, just quit. Nothing will happen to you. It’s illegal to require someone to go to work in this country. You can leave any time. It’s called at-will employment.
Just go into work and tell your boss you think this is the wrong job, and you’re sorry, but you are quitting, effective immediately, and could they please pay you for the work you’ve done.
Hopefully, they will pay you. If they require you to give two weeks’ notice in order to get paid what they owe you, they might be able to do that. They are jerks if they try that, but it’s not worth it for you to argue. Just go get another job.
Penelope
Thanks for the reply!
When should I do this? I have a shift tomorrow morning and one the next day as well… very confusing if I should work the shift or not.. I don’t want to be rude, but on the other hand I’d love to never see her face again, let alone tell her I’m quitting. It’s a big place, and shes only the department manager, so maybe I don’t have to talk to her? But I’m not sure. :S
I forgot to mention that I wanted to get a copy of the paperwork I signed so that I know what will happen since I didn’t get a good chance to see what all it said. I’m pretty sure that usually the employer has to give 2 weeks, but the employee doesn’t.. but I guess that all changes if you sign and ‘agree’ to it, right? That’s how theirs is.. but I’m deff not staying the 2 weeks let alone another shift. I just hope theres no trouble!
Ahh so much to think about lol This is driving me crazy. Sorry for how long this has gotten
The stuff like that that you signed just doesn’t matter. You are too low level and employee for the company to go after you with a lawyer. So they have no recourse if you break their agreement, whatever the agreement is. And anyway, it’s questionable whether they can hold you to any agreement. You get to not go to work if you want to not go to work. That is what being a free person is.
That said, you need to quit in person, face to face, because that is grown up and respectful and good skill to have. You will have to quit many times in your life. You should learn to do it with confidence now.
It is not rude to quit. It’s fine to tell someone you don’t want the job they gave you. It’s rude to not quit in person.
Penelope
In thoughtprocess of being nice, we tend to forget the we have a god who is watching everyting happens..i strongly believe if your manager does not like you, no matter how hard you try to win his heart or confidence, but alas he will never like you…a bad boss is nothing but a bad personality, character who likes to treat people with bad manner..why it is always lies with subordinate to mend his ways if something goes wrong between you and your boss,..we are getting paid by company for the services we render to company not to any individual..and we are bound to follow hierarchy..why should you require reference or recommendation from a boss who always maltreated, who did not respect you..why i want to be explained by the person who advocates reference or recommendation from such “BOSS”.
be clear in your statements and actions..if you leave any company due to a certain reason, then state it clearly that everyone knows why you left..i left organisation last year and i clearly stated that i am leavin this company because my manager is not good with me..i got another job and i would not need any reference or recommendation from my manager..its just a fear which dwells in your mind and heart, it weakens you, it makes you afraid from humans, while you are human and you are suppesed to be afraid only from god..
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hehe bookmaked. Keeping this for future reference appreciated heaps man.
I’ve been at a part-time job for over 10 years. I’m thinking it’s time to leave because the manager keeps rewarding bad employee behaviours (publicly compliments those who come late or eat while on their job) and though I’m in a leadership position, berates me for writing down my notes in reports that he needs to deal with.
I definitely don’t feel that I or my work ethics are valued (like being punctual and honest) and many of the other staff have bad morale because of his poor management style. I don’t have issues writing a resignation letter, but feel disgruntled that workers keep leaving and nothing changes if we never say anything either. How can we prevent poor managers from staying and affecting the lives of others?
I just want to thank you for the post. I read this over a year ago and quit my job, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
At the time, I had a immediate boss who was very difficult and defensive and kept tabs on me in a demeaning way. After talking with our supervisor, who I had hoped would step in and initiate a discussion with me and my boss to work through our difficulties, I realized it was never going to happen. I spead the word out (discretely) to other contact I have in my work world, and quickly had three job offers (although lower paying). I quit as soon as possible, and within two months, was offered an equally well paid, more flexible job that allowed me to do even more of the work I loved!
I never said a bad word to my boss, thanked her (despite her refusal to offer me a positive recommendation) and moved on. I think the biggest trick is to stay positive, be kind, and take a big leap! As long as you are not a trouble maker (the kind who looks for fights in a workplace) you should not have to put up with terrible treatment from co-workers or bosses. A better job is out there waiting for you to quit your terrible job! Or better yet, start your own wee company!
All the best to other quitters out there.
haha funny i dont respect my bosses in anyway shape or form.
they asked me in for a informal meeting i told them to reschudle when i want to do it or make it a formal disciplinary.
im very good at what i do and they cant touch me fuck them.
always remember there your boss cause they either own the company or they couldnt stand the job they job they were doing
Thanks for the tips Penelope this help me on my job quest.
I don’t know how to approach my Boss about my resignation.
I work retail and have been with the same company 13 years. I recently became a mom and in April I moved and started my new assignment with who I referred to as my new boss. She has been #1 for two years in a row and is all about business needs come first. She claims to be approachable yet everytine I try she talks over me and basically talks about how things need to be done her way.
Because I am a mom my priorities have changed. The reason why I will be resigning is because I am going to me a stay at home mom. Problem is she will not respect my decision nonetheless understand it. I want to give her a one month notice since I want to leave all loose ends tightened up. As I became seasoned and experienced I realized that when I was first promoted to manager I was paid way under. Recently I had one of my employees promoted to assistant and I found out she was offered more that I was when I became manager. Theses types of things make me sick and justify my resignation that much more.
Please help me give a professional resignation.
Hi Penelope:
I’m writing a paper about bullying in the workplace and I need an article that gives info about a career life after leaving the job and the bully behind. Can you help?