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Quitting your job

There are many reasons that people decide to leave a job. Learn how to resign from your job. Find out what to say when you are quitting your job and how to leave a good impression.

Updated June 8, 2019

Quitting a job is also called resigning from or leaving a job. There are good ways and bad ways to leave a job. When you decide to quit, it’s important to tell your boss in the right way. You should continue to try your best until you leave the company. Plan how to behave with your coworkers so they will help you in the future.

Before quitting your job

If you are leaving because you have found a new job, be 100 percent sure that you can start the new job! Make sure you have signed an offer letter before quitting your job. Sometimes, companies can change their mind about their offer. But if you have signed a contract and have a start date, it is time to tell to your boss.

Here are six good things to do when you are quitting your job.

1. Tell your manager in the right way

  • Ask your employer or manager to talk to you in a private place where other people can’t hear you.
  • Sometimes managers are too busy and cannot meet. If that is the case, then resigning with by email, by letter, or with a phone call are acceptable.
  • You may want to tell your boss you enjoyed your time at the company. If that is not true, you can say you appreciated what you learned.
  • Explain why you are leaving but do not give personal details. For example, maybe you are leaving for another job that pays more. You can just say that you have found another position.
  • You do not have to share any information or answer any questions that make you uncomfortable. You can always say, “I prefer not to answer.”
  • Do not tell your coworkers before your manager. But do tell your coworkers as soon as your boss knows.

2. Give your manager at least 2 weeks’ notice

Your work contract may say how much notice you have to give. Notice means how far ahead you must say you are leaving before you actually leave. If there is no stated notice period, tell your manager at least 2 weeks ahead of time.  Giving advance notice shows consideration and allows time for you to be replaced. 

Sometimes, your new employer might need you to start sooner. Unless your contract says otherwise, you can apologize to your current boss and explain why you need to leave quickly. You could offer to answer questions from the person replacing you for a while after you start your new job.

Sometimes your manager might ask you to stay longer. You do not have to say yes unless you want to or unless your contract says you must.

3. Write a resignation letter

A resignation letter explains that you are leaving. Most employers want to receive one when you quit your job. It is best if this is printed from a computer and signed. If you don’t have a printer, you can also just write it on a piece of paper. Here is a sample resignation letter you can use. 

4. Try your best until the end

It is important to leave a good impression when quitting your job. Continue to come in on time and do not leave early. Keep working hard until you leave. If you run out of things to do, ask your coworkers if you can help them.

You may need to train someone who will take over your job. Do your best to share everything you learned with them. It will make the change easier for your company.

5. Thank your coworkers

Make sure to say goodbye to all of the people you worked with closely. Thank them for being good coworkers. If you are searching for a job in the future, you can ask them to give you a professional reference. References are people who will speak kindly of you to a potential employer.  You can also ask coworkers to write you a recommendation on LinkedIn.

6. Continue to talk to your old coworkers

After you have left your old job, you can still message, call, or visit your coworkers. If you are nearby, you can stop by to say hello. If you are far away, you can send an email to your boss or your favorite coworkers. Give them news about your life or new job. Staying in contact shows you appreciated your time at the company.

Maybe you left your company because you were not treated well. In that case, you do not need to do this.

Things not to do when quitting your job

There are also things you should not do when quitting your job!

  • Do not brag about what you are doing next
    You may be excited to spend more time with your family after quitting your job. Maybe you are happy because you are moving somewhere else. Still, do not brag to your coworkers. They might not be happy with their situation and this will hurt their feelings.
  • Do not be negative at your current job
    It is possible that you were not happy with your job or coworkers. Do not say unkind about them to people at your old job or new job. If you are unhappy, confide in your friends or family.
  • Do not leave your workspace messy
    Make sure to take your personal things home. Return everything that was borrowed from your work. If you had a workspace, clean it for the next person.

We aim to offer easy to understand information that is updated regularly. This information is not legal advice.

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