How To Quit Your Job

For some people, quitting their job is like a dream come true. Other times quitting your job can be difficult and a downright delicate task. While you might hate your job and your boss, it is important to resign from your job properly and professionally. If you handle this process properly it may pay future dividends that you would never even think of in the present. Here are some things to think about and do when you are quitting your job.

1) Make sure you are certain. Many times people get wrapped up in the idea of quitting their jobs without really thinking it out and making the best decision for them. Make sure you are quitting your job for a better opportunity. Do you have a better job offer? Does this new job have the same or better security? Are the benefits and retirement packages equal or better? Do you have enough money to change jobs? These are all questions you should be asking yourself before handing in your letter of resignation. In this job market you want to be very sure you are ready to quit because there are many people searching and hopeful for positions that are not readily available.

2) Tell your boss you are leaving. It is important to leave on good terms. There is no need to go into specifics or talk about what other new opportunity you have. Just emphasize that your time with the company was such a positive experience. Tell him/her that it is time for you to make a change and you very much appreciate all your experiences and opportunities with their company.

3) Give acceptable notice that you will be leaving. Many companies have terms of resignation in their contracts. If your contract has no specific terms, it is common and respectable to give a two week notice. Again, you want to leave on good terms, so offer to help train your replacement if that is necessary.

4) A resignation letter is still the best way to go even if you have given your resignation verbally to your boss. It is not only a clerical step in the resignation process, it goes on file that you handled the whole process properly and professionally.

5) Make sure before you leave that you have found out what benefits, sick time, monies are owed to you. Also, if there is health insurance through your job, you are probably eligible for COBRA coverage which covers you for a short while after you leave your job. Further, don't forget to find out information about any retirement monies, or 401k that you can transfer.

6) Give back anything that is company property before leave. Make sure this is completed and documented before your last day on the job.

7) Ask for a letter of reference. Do this before you leave your job. It is always important to have a letter of reference from your past employers. These are sometimes hard to come by after the fact. Now is the perfect time to ask for one. You never know when you will need this in the future, so take advantage and get a nice letter of recommendation while your skills and work ethic is fresh in your boss's mind.