How to identify when it's time to step down from your job and resign gracefully without burning any bridges

Deciding to resign from a job can be a difficult decision, and leaving a job on good terms is equally as important. There are various reasons why someone may feel it is time to resign, such as a lack of growth opportunities, feeling undervalued or unfulfilled, a negative company culture or personal reasons such as relocation. In this article, we will discuss how to know when it’s time to resign and exit gracefully

When thoughts of resigning come to you, take a quick internal look inside and see if there’s anything you can do to improve the situation. Mostly, when you have low-level disagreements or miscommunications with your manager, you might be easily drawn to quitting but in such cases, take some time off from the situation and see whether there’s a way to preserve the relationship as it may simply be a case of understanding a different management style. Often, a change in perspective or an honest discussion can dissolve much of that tension. So, taking good amount of time and not deciding anything on the heat of the moment helps.

Don't let your emotions make your decisions         

Signs that indicate it’s time to resign:

Lack of growth opportunities:

If you have been in the same position for a significant amount of time without any signs of career progression or development, it may be time to move on to a new opportunity.

You’re uninspired and unengaged:

Any job can become repetitive when you’ve been doing it for a while. While repetition doesn’t necessarily mean boredom or exhaustion – it can put you in a comfortable groove – if you regularly feel uninspired and unengaged, you could benefit from a change.

Poor work environment:

If you are experiencing toxic work culture, poor leadership or a lack of support from management, it may be time to find a better work environment

Undervalued or unfulfilled:

If you feel like you are not being recognized for your contributions or that your work is not fulfilling, it may be time to find a role where you feel more valued and fulfilled.

Personal reasons:

Personal reasons such as relocation, starting a family or pursuing further education may require you to resign.

How to resign on a good note

Resigning from your job on good terms takes preparation and professionalism. Using the correct etiquette when you resign can strengthen your reputation as a trustworthy and considerate professional, helping to position you strongly for your next move.

Meet with your manager face to face:

Once you decide to leave, first speak to your respective supervisor, and explain your resignation concisely. This will avoid misinformation and rumours from other internal staffs. Avoid unloading your anxieties about quitting on co-workers.

Give proper notice:

It is important to give your employer proper notice, usually two weeks is standard, to allow them time to find a replacement and ensure a smooth transition.

Provide a reason:

While you do not need to go into great detail, providing a reason for your resignation can help your employer understand your decision and possibly make changes to improve the workplace for future employees.

Offer to help with the transition:

Offer to help with training your replacement, finishing any outstanding projects, or creating documentation to ensure a smooth transition.

Stay professional:

It is important to stay professional throughout the resignation process, even if you have negative feelings towards your employer or co-workers. This includes giving proper notice, providing a reason, and thanking your employer and co-workers for the opportunity to work with them.

Don’t take anything that doesn’t belong to you:

Don’t remove office supplies or work material you didn’t develop and don’t own personally. Hand in your keys, identification tags, and clear your desk of any personal belongings on your last day in the office. Another part of a successful job exit is to update your voicemail and email to ensure any business contacts can reach the appropriate person.

Prepare for your exit interview:

Exit interviews are often part of the off-boarding process, and they’re nothing to fear. If anything, they’re a great way to clarify why you’re leaving and help improve the work environment for your soon-to-be-former teammates. They’re also the ideal opportunity to thank your supervisor for everything you’ve learned from them and make a plan to keep in touch. You never know when an opportunity to work together again might present itself.

Be honest but not brutal with your feedback:

Your HR will probably want to know why you’re quitting and what feedback you might have for them. Be as gracious and offer productive feedback that could help them in the future.

Write a letter of resignation:

When resigning a job, it’s best to give your employer a formal letter of resignation either in a hard-copy form or email it. In your job resignation letter, refer to the date and time of your discussion with your manager, the role you are resigning from, and the date of your last day.

You may want to add a sentence re-stating your reasons. If relevant, highlight the things you learned in the role and how much you enjoyed working there. It is important to retain good relations with your manager, as employers will often conduct background checks, including references.

End the resignation letter on a positive note – thank your employer for the opportunities you enjoyed or best wishes for the company’s future.

Sample template to follow for writing a resignation letter        

Here is a sample template to follow for writing a resignation letter; You might also want to cc HR

Dear [Manager's Name],

I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from my position as [Your Position] at [Company Name], effective [Date of Resignation]. I have enjoyed my time here and am grateful for the opportunities that I have had during my tenure. However, after careful consideration, I have decided to move on to pursue other opportunities.

I’m committed to making the transition as smooth as possible during my remaining time here and I am open to discussing how I can assist in this process. Please let me know what steps I can take to ensure that my departure is as seamless as possible.

Thank you for the guidance, support, and opportunities you have provided me during my time at [Company Name]. I have appreciated working with a team of dedicated and talented individuals, and I will miss the camaraderie and sense of purpose that we share.

If there is anything else that I can do to assist in the transition, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I wish you and the team continued success and hope to keep in touch.

Thanks for everything.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Leave a positive last impression

It is important not to burn bridges when you resign and risk undoing your good work.

You may want to keep supervisors and colleagues in your network of contacts as you may require a reference from your employer later on or also end up working for or with the same people sometime in the future. Ensure your reputation and relationship with the employer remains positive by leaving with grace and professionalism.

Don't speak negatively about your employer to your colleagues, other people within the industry, or on social media. This information can easily be passed on and could damage relations with your previous employer.

Once you are done with the formal procedures, focus towards your 
next role, and to succeeding in the first few months of a job.