Quitting a Job

There is a right way and a wrong way to do just about everything - including quitting a job.  In fact, leaving a job behind can often invoke a lot of emotion, which can sometimes lead to costly mistakes in the end.

In this article, were going to talk about the right way to go about quitting a job.  We're going to first provide some statistics around the numbers of workers that quit or leave their jobs voluntarily.  We'll also talk briefly about the potential benefit loss that can occur when you quit a job.  Finally, we'll talk about the importance of exiting a job in such a way that your long-term career plans remain intact.

Reasons for Quitting a Job

There are many reasons to quit a job.  You might have been passed up for a promotion, you might believe you've been treated unfairly by your employer or manager, or you might have been offered a better job elsewhere.

Unemployment Statistics

The United States Bureau of Labor statistics keeps track of how many unemployed persons quit or leave their jobs voluntarily.  The statistics are remarkably consistent from the years 1997 through 2007.  In particular:

• Approximately 800,000 adults age 16 and older are unemployed because they quit their job.
• Job leavers represent approximately 12% of the total unemployed.
• Job quitters account for approximately 0.6% of the total civilian labor force.

Downside of Quitting a Job

The most significant downside of quitting a job can be the loss of state and federal benefits.  For example, individuals living near the poverty level might not be eligible for food assistance if they quit their current job.

You might also lose unemployment benefits if you quit a job.  Although this loss of benefit will depend on the circumstances around which you quit.  For example:

Suppose someone quits a job because their spouse was transferred to another location.  This worker had a very good personal reason to quit their job, but since there is no fault by the employer, the worker might be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits.

On the other hand, if a worker notifies their employer that certain safety conditions at a worksite pose a safety hazard, and the employer does not, or cannot, correct the problem, then the worker might still qualify for benefits even if they quit their job.

Best Way to Resign from a Job

As mentioned earlier, there is a right way and a wrong way to leave a job.  You don't want to leave a job and create bad feelings among ex-coworkers and your former employer.  No matter how you feel about your former manager, you should resist the temptation to tell everyone exactly how you really felt when you were passed up for that last promotion.

That being said, there are several important steps you can follow to quit a job gracefully:

• Leave on a High Note - keep things positive about your former and future employer.  Now is the time to build bridges, not tear them down.
• Express Enthusiasm - be enthusiastic about your new employer, and the chance you have to further your career with that new company.
• Paychecks - avoid the temptation to boast about a larger paycheck.  What you earn is your own personal business, and flaunting a big raise in salary will only serve to diminish your coworker's opinions of you. 

Planning Your Exit

Before announcing your exit from a company, you should carefully prepare both written documents as well as rehearse what you're going to say when you announce your resignation.  For example, you will want to:

• Draft an Explanation - it's always a good idea to write down a draft of your explanation for leaving a job.  That explanation should focus on the positives, not the negatives.
• Provide Adequate Notice - the sign of a true professional is to provide former employers with adequate notice.  Unless you're on a special project, two weeks is the standard for notice.
• Tie Up Lose Ends - before you leave, tie up all the loose ends.  Clean up your desk and your work area before you leave.  If you cannot finish all your outstanding assignments, then create a status report indicating exactly what still needs to be completed.
• Praise your Employer - when discussing your reason for leaving, make sure you praise both your existing and future employer.
• Express Gratitude - make sure you thank former managers and coworkers for all their help.  When possible, let people know you appreciate all they've taught you.
• Make Peace with Adversaries - many times, we don't seem to agree with a certain coworker's point of view.  Before you leave, make sure that you recognize those differences but also express your respect for their opinions.
• Rehearse Remarks - before giving notice, make sure you rehearse your remarks.  Just like the draft of your explanation, you'll want to practice what you're going to say when questioned.
• Keep it Personal - whenever possible, you should say goodbye in-person.  While it may not be possible to shake hands with everyone you know, you will want to pay a personal visit to anyone you expect to keep in touch with after leaving.
• Write a Resignation Letter - make sure you write a formal resignation letter.  Keep that letter concise; include the facts and a brief thank you.  An example resignation letter is give immediately below:

Example Resignation Letter

<Date Here>

I hereby give you two week's notice of my intention to leave my position of Manager of Operations at the XYZ Company.

I wish both you personally, and the XYZ Company, much success in the future.  I would also like to thank you for providing me with the opportunity to be part of the Operating team for the past four years.

Sincerely,

Your Signature

Dealing with Questions and Counteroffers

If you're asked why you've decided to leave, then you need to stay focused on the opportunities your new employer has to offer.  Don't dwell on the past, or leave coworkers with the impression that your current employer doesn't offer those opportunities.  You also don't want to leave anyone with the impression that you're angry about something that occurred in the past.  Remain focused on the future prospects you've been offered.

Counteroffers

Occasionally, an employer will attempt to retain an employee via a counteroffer.  Many times, this dialog can evoke the urge to tell that employer how unhappy the situation really was at work.  Again, you need to resist the temptation to "burn a bridge," and instead reiterate the great opportunity you've already been offered.

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