There are right and wrong ways to quit your job. Doing it the wrong way can generate bad feelings with your employer, recriminations or even a bad reference. On the other hand, a correct resignation will contribute to your continued success in both your personal and professional development.


The resignation meeting 

Decide what you are going to say and stick to it. Your boss will try to probe you for more information, details you may not want to give at this stage. Don't be obstructive, but make it clear that you are resigning. Emphasize the positive aspects of your work experience, as you never know if you will meet your former employers again in the future, so don't focus on the negative aspects of your time at the company. Expect a reaction from your boss. Unless he or she is already expecting your resignation, your notice will come as a surprise. Your boss may react emotionally or even confrontationally, in which case, stick to your prepared speech. Keep your composure. Your boss may no longer see you as a team player and may even feel betrayed. Again, stick to your prepared remarks and don't get confrontational with him. Communicate in a calm and measured manner. Always leave the meeting with a good impression and be as cooperative as possible. Emphasize that you will delegate your responsibilities as best you can. People remember both the first and last impressions you make.


Written waiver

A written resignation letter always gives you more time to prepare what you want to say and gives you more control of your message. Use this opportunity constructively. A resignation letter should only include the following information: name, date, the person to whom it is addressed, a notice of termination of employment, when it becomes effective and finally, your signature. If you are leaving under positive circumstances and feel you want to say a little more, again, emphasize the positive. You could thank your boss for the opportunities he or she provided; you never know when you might need your former employer to vouch for you or give you a reference. However, if you are leaving under difficult or adverse circumstances, resist the temptation to badmouth and vent. Remember that your resignation letter can be used for different reasons in the future. Don't make it personal. A written resignation letter is not the vehicle for telling your boss negative things you thought of him or her. It is never polite to include personal comments. 


The counteroffer

Is this what you want? Has anything changed since you intended to resign? Why did you decide to resign in the first place? Will you continue in the same position within the company? Your boss might now doubt your 100% commitment to the company. Perhaps it would be better to move on. Having wanted to resign once, you may be tempted to look for an alternative job again in the near future. How does accepting a counteroffer affect your integrity with your employers? You never know when you will meet them again in the future. We recommend you review the 10 reasons not to accept a counteroffer section of this career advice. 


Quitting in the right tone

Make sure you have given the company sufficient notice of your resignation. A notice period may be included in an employment contract or in company policies. Where no notice period is stipulated, a period of 2 to 4 weeks is recommended for any job transfer to take place. Make sure you have completed any outstanding tasks and have participated in the handover of any unfinished work.

Make sure your manager knows that you have been actively involved in this process and that you have been as cooperative as possible. Take time to talk to your peers and associates. Give them support and make positive comments about their contribution to your time at the company. Try to stay in touch because, again, you never know when these relationships will be helpful to your personal and professional development in the future. Be sure to negotiate a fair exit agreement, including any outstanding salary, vacation entitlements and commission payments due to you.