How To Resign Without Being

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15 cool things you should do when you resign your job
by Greg Savage on March 5, 2013 in Coaching recruiters, Employee engagement, Ethics, Recruiter coaching,
Recruitment, Recruitment Skills

You have got a new job! Well done. Now, dont spoil it all by making a hash of your exit from where
you are now. I know, you are excited. Its hard to stay focused on the old gig, when everything is oh s
cool about the new one.
But remember, the old gig was the new gig not so long ago, and how you behave on your way out
will affect your brand, your references and your future employability. Trust me on that.
Its true that often you get shown the door as soon as you resign. Also true, some employers behave
appallingly to exiting staff. But no matter. You be the better person, leaving with every loose end tied
up, and your head held high.
The Savage Truth 15 Rules of Resignation will give you the road map to do just that;
Give fair notice. Sure, your offer letter of 5 years ago says you need only give 2 weeks notice.
But you were a trainee then, and now a Team Leader. You know you will cause your employer
huge issues if you leave at such short notice. Dont do it. Provide enough time for them to get
their business covered. Its the professional thing to do.
1.
Do the deed gracefully. The actual resignation, I mean. Plan how you will do it. Set a formal
meeting. Be polite. Accentuate the positives. Be firm, but humble. Show appreciation. Thank you
boss.
2.
Dont blab. To everyone else, I mean. Either before you resign, or after. Until your boss agrees a
communication plan. In my experience, 90% of resignees fail right here. Just have to tell
everyone about my great new job. Its selfish. Destructive. You need to be collaborative in
helping convey the message at the right time, in the right way, to the right people.
3.
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Offer to train a replacement. And mean it. And do it. Well. 4.
Smooth handover of clients and candidates. Co-operate in a handover of your current orders,
your clients and your hot talent. If you are leaving those clients for good, its the right thing to do
by them, and by your employer who gave you the chance to build those relationships in the first
place. But even if you plan to work with those clients from somewhere else, they dont belong to
you, so do the ethical thing and brief a successor. Then, when the time is right, restraints
honoured, compete like hell!
5.
Share the inside stuff. You know what I mean. The little nuggets. Like your computer password
Or which contact within a client really makes the decisions. Or special fee arrangements you hav
in place.
6.
Dont de-stabilise. Resist the temptation to vent, to criticise, to undermine and to pour negativity
like a trail of dog-poo around the office, because you know better and you are leaving. Its not a
good look, and it makes you look ridiculous. Really.
7.
Dont slack off. This is critical. If you go walkabout, start being lazy, come in late, avoid your
admin and generally make it clear you have checked out, everyone will see that and everyone
who counts will remember it. Forever. And that is going to hurt you one day. Count on it.
8.
Take no cheap shots. At your boss. Your colleagues. The business. Anything. Its weak. And
petty. And very prattish
9.
The exit interview. Cooperate. Dont be a smarty by refusing to participate. Be thoughtful and
constructive. Resist the temptation to preach or criticise.
10.
Dont flirt with counter-offer discussions if you have no intentions of staying. Pursuing that
conversation, just so you can enjoy having your ego stroked, is weak.
11.
Wrap it up. Close as many of your projects as you can. I had a woman once who left the
business with her record-ever quarter. She left with her head held high, and we paid her bonus
gladly. 12 months later when her new job turned out to be a dud, we hired her back.
12.
When you are on your way out, thank everyone who helped you on your way up. It will mean a
lot to them if you do, and they will remember it if you dont. And not in a good way.
13.
Say goodbye properly to everybody. Personally, not by email from your phone when you are
out the door. Shake hands. Offer kisses. Swap contact details. Keep doors open.
14.
Stay an ambassador after you have gone. Dont deride your former company or colleagues.
Amazing how many people do that. Its such an unpleasant trait. Never reflects well on you.
Never. Ever. So why do it?
15.
Having run and owned businesses for 25 years, I guess I have been on the receiving end of a huge
number of resignations. And it stuns me how destructive, to themselves, some people can be. Petty
and vindictive. Or just lazy and sloppy. And yet, so many times, six months later, when their dream job
did not turn out so well, they want to come back. Or they need a reference. Hmmm
I have hired back literally dozens of ex-employees who behaved impeccably on the way out. In those
cases the door is always open. But many more have sullied their exit, behaving appallingly and
burning customers and colleagues along the way.
And to them, the door is closed, forever.
Dont be an idiot. Stay cool. Resign with grace.
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Over a career spanning thirty years, Greg Savage has established himself as a global recruitment
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30 Responses to 15 cool things you should do when you resign your job
Jan March 5, 2013 at 8:42 am #
Your last line says it all Greg Cracked me up !
REPLY
Greg Savage March 5, 2013 at 8:43 am #
It was going to be my heading Jan.. but my 23 year old daughter advised me against it!
REPLY
Craig Watson rec-to-rec March 5, 2013 at 8:56 am #
Entertaining a counter-offer without intending to follow through with it = masturbation!!!
GOLD!
REPLY
Anthony March 5, 2013 at 10:40 am #
Rude and crude as always. As recruiters we are constantly trying to protect and uphold our
image and reputation, seems counter-productive to have leaders in the industry
communicationing in such a crass manner. Of course the message is powerful and relevant, by
why say f##k off when go away will convey the same message in family friendly language.
But hey, any publicity is good publicity now-a-days, right?
REPLY
Thanks Anthony. Your point is valid and there is always a risk of offending people, which I
regret by the way. However, as anyone who knows me will attest, this is how I would say it
if we are sitting across a table, this is how I would say it if I was speaking to a room of 500
people and this is how I say it in writing. By the way I dont believe I did say f##k off in this
blog so not sure why you raise that, but on balance I am delighted that you found the
message powerful and relevant- which is what i am shooting for, mostly.
REPLY
Alison Downey March 5, 2013 at 11:05 am #
Great topic Greg!
Professional grace is important during resignation and indeed adds value all along the hire to
retire line but is often sadly under rated. There are those that misunderstand and believe that
professional grace and a competitive spirit cannot coexist and yet as you have (as ever)
articulately put, a lack of professional grace eventually burns bridges and fades future
opportunities.
REPLY
Very well put Alison. I like that very much Professional grace and a competitive spirit CAN
co-exist. Thanks for the post and I hope you are well and thriving..Greg
REPLY
Benjamin Teh March 5, 2013 at 11:42 am #
Hi Greg,
I thought back to the fews times weve sat around a table with a beer in hand and talking.. and
yes, your blog does sound exactly like how you talk. Good to see youve kept true to yourself.
And I totally hate that you are right.
REPLY
Paul Phipps March 5, 2013 at 3:31 pm #
This is some really good, big boy/girl advice that many people cant handle. Thanks for the talk!
REPLY
Andrew McGregor March 5, 2013 at 5:41 pm #
Right on the mark once again Greg. I served a 6 week notice with my employer in the UK and
attended numerous client and contractor meetings through to my very last day. Left them with
an agreement in place for 6 contractors on a 12 month assignment. Needless to say Ive always
had lunch with ex bosses every time Ive been back to the UK. Be in it for the long term and
youll always reap future rewards/opportunities.
REPLY
Nick Green March 5, 2013 at 6:41 pm #
All very, very true Greg!!
I really enjoy your blogs, always generates discussion points. keep up the good work!
REPLY
John March 5, 2013 at 8:45 pm #
I tried all of these steps at my last job at Burger King, I got some very strange looks.
REPLY
Roger Waltham March 5, 2013 at 9:33 pm #
I like your direct style, Greg, in all of your Savage Truth blogs.
This one is particularly good and I would like to copy and paste it for forwarding on to our
placements. Its great advice.
Is that OK with you, please? Well credit you each time, of course.
REPLY
Thanks Roger, please feel free to distribute the blog as you see fit. All I ask is that you
attribute the articles to the sourceme Which you have said you will do. Really glad
you find it useful. Regards Greg
REPLY
Yuriy Shevchenko March 5, 2013 at 11:09 pm #
Sorry Greg, but if my last boss was an utter dick I am going to tell everyone who asks exactly
how I felt about him, and name specific examples as to why. If he or she was a really inspiring
and competent leader I will also tell everyone who asks, and name specific examples as to why.
I am fortunate to have some really excellent bosses in my career as well as 2 dreadful ones who
I can only describe using swear words. I have learned what makes a great leader in the
recruitment business and, even more importantly, what makes an atrocious one.
REPLY
Roger Waltham, Senior Partner, Manhunt Recruitment, UK March 7, 2013 at 6:47 pm #
Thank you Greg. Will do.
REPLY
John Bird March 7, 2013 at 10:38 pm #
First class advice! Practice and preach it!!
John Bird Career Coach and Trainer on LinkedIn
REPLY
Patty March 8, 2013 at 1:01 pm #
Great topic and article. Oftentimes when colleagues/coworkers make the decision to move on,
they sometimes pack their professionalism along with their personal belongings; well in advance
of the exit interview.
REPLY
Ned March 10, 2013 at 4:43 pm #
Hi Greg,
Great read and very valid principles. What are your thoughts though on bosses who treat you
like shit despite following these principles? Easy to say Always take the high ground, but in
real life that comes across quite unrealistic and a bit like hero worship.
Cheers.
REPLY
Greg Savage March 10, 2013 at 4:52 pm #
Hi Ned, my advice is based on the ideal situation where both parties behave well, I
suppose. Of course each situation is unique and you may not be allowed to do all these
things, be given the time..or have the inclination, based on how you are treated by the
employer. Still, even if an employer behave poorly, the best approach is to rise above it
and not sink to a tit for tat approach. Cheers Greg. I plan to write a blog aimed at
employers on this same topic soon
REPLY
Lynne April 12, 2013 at 4:22 am #
Excellent article for employers and those soon-to-be-ex employees. Some employers, as you
point out, make it tough to have some class-they actually turn bitter, personalize it, etc. Or get
controlling in an effort to seem to have some power. For instance, I have worked for brokerage
and recruiting firms where it was impossible to give notice-the owner being worried about leads
being taken, primarily. Never mind that some places deserve to be left and have rules in play
about not soliticiting any house leads for two years, etc. in these situations, it is literally every
(wo)man for himself. I think the worst employees exit without grace-often to make more money
or for a better title. These greed and vanity motivated types deserve to learn about burned
bridges. In summary, I think your article is much needed as good people lose good people and
good people sometimes need to move on and in the anxiety of how to do it-make a mess.
REPLY
Jen April 18, 2013 at 4:36 pm #
I resigned from a job once because of my leader (yes I agree with your more recent article) and
I had to tell people because my management didnt bother to announce it. Just confirmed for me
why I left in the first place. Didnt make it easy for me to be gracious about leaving although I
like to think I was.
REPLY
stefan May 13, 2013 at 5:55 am #
Im about to resign and this is gold for me.
As there is no class that teaches resigning, I have been a jackass in past and it has been hurtful
to my life and career. I will never repeat those mistakes again.
Close/Open door theory soooooo true!
REPLY
Neha June 6, 2013 at 10:20 pm #
Nice article but it contradict with what you mentioned in your article People dont leave
Companies, they leave leadership. You mentioned about talking to HR about the higher
management and that it is coz of their poor communication & leadership skills they are quitting.
You have mentioned in this article that you recruited dozens of employees back who behaved
impeccably. .At first place why company was not able to retain the good employees and why
should an employee has to say all goodie goodie things about the management at the time of
exit when it is coz of the management they are leaving the company. Why not show them mirror
as you mentioned.
REPLY
Greg Savage June 7, 2013 at 8:27 am #
Neha, dealing with people is a nuanced, inexact sciencein fact its not a science at all..its
an art. People leave companies mostly as I say because of dissatisfaction with the
leadership..but sometimes its also true they get pulled to what they perceive are better
jobs. Often though, it turns out that the grass is NOT greener on the other side. As long
as an employee has exited with grace and good faith, I dont penalise someone for
thinking there is a better role somewhere else.If after a while it does not pan out,or
circumstances change, and everything else stacks up, I will hire them back. Companies
grow and evolve. people grow and evolve. In many cases these prodigal employees
have been my most loyal and longest serving staff members
There is no contradiction here. Just an attempt to provide some generic advice. There is
no one size fits all when it comes to ANY relationship.. even an employer/employee one
REPLY
Hazel September 5, 2013 at 12:29 am #
Hey Greg,
Awesome article.
Ive always been a believer in leaving with grace, but just this once I really wanna make sure my
boss bosses know what a dickhead he is. He sexually harassed me throughout my stay and
there wasnt much that could be done about it.
I should be entitled to some form of revenge, dont you think?
REPLY
Joana_JW June 26, 2014 at 8:13 pm #
I did it and trust me I felt content and relaxed. I think there is no point leaving a job in a
disgruntle situation. More than others, it harms one self and remains like a baggage of
unsatisfied thoughts. Rather, bid a goodbye with a smile and move on Thanks for sharing
these wonderful tips, they will make life easy!
REPLY
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Whitehall Resources Blog Page - March 27, 2013
[...] and give you guidance on when would be the appropriate time to resign. Greg Savages blog How
to Resign Without being a Prat outlines the most positive way in which you can exit a firm. His advice
is great, although somewhat [...]
15 rules to resigning with grace, Career - September 17, 2013
[...] This article was originally published on The Savage Truth. [...]
Justin August 28, 2014 at 2:32 am #
I agree with Greg, especially the last line. Dont be an idiot sums it up for me. There are certain
things that as seasoned professionals we should all know how to do automatically when it
comes to resigning from a job. And, I would venture to say, even if you are a 20-something new
to the workforce, you should understand what dont be an idiot means.
Common sense dictates that you shouldnt brag about your new job to your old colleagues, that
you should quit gracefully, be helpful in transferring responsibilities, etc.
I just took on a new job and didnt breathe a word about it at my old job until absolutely
necessary. My boss told me she didnt need me to train anyone that the company would do it.
I asked her if she wanted more than 2 weeks notice and she said that 2 weeks were fine. I am
owed commission checks and bonuses and so we negotiated the delivery of those monies in
the form of a bank check within one week of my departure and she signed a paper saying that
would be the case. I went out and had one last drink with my old colleagues and told them to
keep in touch. Some might, some may not. In 5 days, I start my new job and cant wait to plunge
into a new field. It took me over one year and 500 job applications to get this job. Its an IT sales
job with a generous base salary and a highly competitive commission structure + benefits and
401K match. I thank God and my family. #LuckiestManOnEarth
REPLY
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