How to resign from your job (and feel good about it)

You’ve done the hard work. You’ve drafted your CV, done your research, prepared for your interviews and now you’ve secured the job offer you wanted. All you need to do now is resign from your current position. This should be the easy part, but for many people, it’s one of the most stressful aspects of making a career move.

Handing in your notice, whether you love the role or team you’re leaving or are fully ready to move on, can be a difficult step to navigate. You want to ensure that you are clear in communicating your decision to your manager, whilst being respectful and dignified as you exit the business. This can be harder than it sounds!

My colleagues and I have supported hundreds of candidates across our years of experience with making that leap, so here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

How do I hand in my notice?

The first step to handing in your notice is to write a brief resignation letter and give this to your manager when your verbally resign. If you work remotely and the meeting is online, make sure to follow up on your conversation and send the letter as an attachment to an email. It’s best to do this at the same time to avoid any delays in your notice period beginning.

What do I need to include in my resignation letter?

The letter should confirm that you are resigning from your current position. Avoid providing too many details about your reasons for leaving, as this can potentially take you down a negative and difficult path. Instead, it’s better to stay positive and convey your thanks for their support and that you are excited to be taking your career forward.

You may want to add that you would like to leave on good terms and ask that they respect your decision to move on, as this reduces the chance of awkward discussions where they seek to persuade you to stay.

Include a proposed end date in your letter and ask for confirmation of receipt of the letter from your HR team, along with a confirmed leaving date as soon as possible.
You may also want to ask HR to confirm what outstanding leave you need to take prior to leaving, or whether this will be paid back in addition to your final salary.

What if my employer gives me a counter-offer?

A counter-offer, where your employer offers a financial incentive or pay rise to keep you, can be a huge compliment, but is often a source of frustration too. You could end up thinking, ‘I’ve been offered a pay rise now, but why wasn’t I worth this before I found another job?’. Only you can decide how best to respond.

In some situations, a counter-offer is worthy of serious consideration, and depends on your reasons to seeking to make a move. However, in most cases, people view it as an employer’s reaction to the prospect of having to recruit to replace you. A new employer has offered you something you feel good about and having gone through the selection process, you may well feel it’s time to move on.

Can I tell other people in my team I am leaving?

Typically, your business won’t want you to tell people you are leaving until they say so, as this can be unsettling for the wider team and for any clients you work with. They may also want to control the message given to clients. It can be a good idea to agree in advance together what you will say to clients.

However, this period of silence can be uncomfortable and may feel like it’s putting you under pressure your mind, so the earlier your colleagues know, the better, in my opinion.

If there are a few colleagues you are particularly close with you may decide to tell them you are leaving, and this can filter through the rest of the company in time. If you choose to do this, let you manager know you will be informally letting some of your colleagues know, but will not discuss with client until they have confirmed what they want you to do.

If they ask you not to tell anyone, you may want to challenge this. You’re trying hard to be a good leaver, and are being respectful whilst still working with them, so you should be able to speak with work friends about what you’ve decided to do.

Can I contact my clients after I leave my job?

In all likelihood, no you won’t be able to contact clients after leaving your job, for a certain period of time. Review your contract’s covenant agreements as this will clarify what you can and can’t do, and the time frame you will need to adhere to.

Try not to worry about your contacts forgetting about you. You have built great connections forged over months and years in some cases, and after your agreement has ended you will be able to get back in touch. Be clear on what you’re able to do, and ensure everyone understands where the line is.

Will I be put on gardening leave when I hand in my notice?

Gardening leave is when you are required to stay away from the workplace after you resign, (or have been dismissed), from a role, but you will still be on the payroll and receive your salary and benefits until your notice period ends. In some sectors, gardening leave is very common. This can be for a number of reasons, including if you are leaving to join a competitor, you have had access to confidential information or if your departure may cause disruption in the organisation.

Gardening leave can be a surprise and you may have mixed feelings about it, but it can present a wonderful opportunity to take an extended break before starting your new role. Try to think of this as a positive thing where you can decompress from your previous role, and enjoy some precious time to yourself before getting ready for your new job.

How do I get references for my new employer?

References may need to come from your HR team so check with your manager whose names and details can be shared with your new employer. They will likely require two contacts, or perhaps one work and one personal reference. You may also need to undergo DBS or Financial checks depending on the type of business you are joining.

Remember, how you resign is as important as how you conduct yourself at the interview stage for your new role. Be respectful, think about how your actions reflect on you, over-communicate and provide clear information for your manager and colleagues.

Wishing you all the very best of luck!