How To: Quit a Job

No one has a lot of experience in quitting jobs. Some people have none. This article will help you know how to optimally quit a job, whether that is tomorrow or in the long-term future.

Before you quit your job, in an ideal world, you would have already: 

1. Found another job you love
2. Have received the offer and contract for it
3. Have signed it and sent it to your new employer

These 10 steps will then help you optimally quit a job:

1. Meet your Manager/Partner to deliver the news, ideally in person. If meeting in person is not possible in an appropriate time frame, I suggest a phone/video call instead of just an email out of the blue. Aim for as close to in-person as possible.

2. Before the meeting, write an email with your official notice that you can click send on immediately after you have informed your Manager/Partner.

3. No matter what your experience has been during your time with this firm, good or bad, when you deliver the news, be polite, be professional and be grateful for what they have given you during your time there.

4. Crucially, be clear that your decision is made. If you say you are thinking of quitting or considering another role, it will be a completely different conversation to when you say you are leaving.
   -If you are definitely leaving, the conversation will be about the handover.
   -If you are potentially leaving, the conversation will be about what you don’t like about them and why, and it could be a very long, very awkward conversation. This is especially true if you think that you are actually leaving and should have said that from the beginning.

5. Keep bringing the focus of the conversation back to you wanting to give as good a handover as possible and leaving on a good note. When they try to bring the conversation back to why and change your mind, remind them that it is done, you are grateful for everything and bring it back to giving a good handover.

6. Then send the email in writing to make sure they know it is done, and to help you remember exactly what day you did it. That way, you know what day your notice period finishes.

7. Try to give as good a handover as you can. Leave on a positive note, it will have a big influence on how you are remembered, and help you have a positive reference check in future. If your employer really needs you to give a little extra notice period, and you are okay with this, check with your new employer first. Be respectful to your old and new employer, not just one.

8. Remember, you are not doing anything illegal by quitting a job. You are allowed to. So is everyone else in your company. Even if it has a negative impact on the people you leave, many of whom you may like, you are doing what you believe is best for your career/life. Just like your colleagues and leaders will do too. Remember you were open to leaving for a reason. While handing your notice in, the emotional connection you might have with your colleagues can blur the negatives, so remind yourself of why you started looking in the first place and the goals that you have set for yourself.

9. On the rare occasion that an employer reacts angrily, it is a clear sign that they are thinking about the negative impact on themselves, not your career. This should reinforce for you that your decision is the correct one and it definitely should not change your mind. Once that conversation is finished, the hard part is done, and it is on to better things for you.

10. I encourage people to take a few days in between roles to switch off where possible. Changing jobs can be emotional and draining. Look after yourself and take as much time as you can afford and that your new employer is happy to give you. Then start fresh and enjoy the new experience.

Key takeaway:

If you are not sure you are definitely going to leave, then don’t agree to another job. The best thing to do is be honest with your potential new employer about your question marks before accepting. Find out as much information as you can on these points, make an educated decision, and stick to it. Then follow the points above.