You’ve Handed in Your Resignation Letter – Now What?

Once you’ve handed in your resignation letter, things will often move fast. Try to consider the steps your employer may take once they know you are leaving. Also, try to gauge how they will respond to the news. Make sure you are not leaving a job on a snap decision out of frustration. It is very important to properly consider your next move professionally and to make sure you have enough time to find the right job.

Even if you aren’t leaving for a positive reason, it is wise to leave with both grace and professionalism. The more positively you leave your job, the better the chances of a good reaction from your boss. This means that you may be able to form a lasting, positive relationship into the future.

What if you’re asked to stay?

So, you just handed in your resignation letter. What if your boss asks you to stay?

After submitting your resignation, your boss may ask you to stay. They may be willing to make changes to convince you to stay. These may include steps such as a promotion, a move within the company, or an alteration of the tasks assigned to you.

Decide in advance what changes you would need to be made to convince you to stay on. Also, consider the reasons for your resignation are in the first place to determine if staying is worth it.

If you’re leaving your job due to an inflexible working schedule that makes taking care of your children difficult, then the option of future flexible or remote working may be enough to convince you to stay. However, if you are leaving your workplace due to a toxic working environment, extra company discounts would may not be worth it.

Work out what you would need to change in order to have a higher level of satisfaction in the role. If your boss really wants you to stay they will do their best to accommodate these changes.

How do you approach an exit interview?

Most of the time, when an employee leaves any company there will be an exit interview. Once you submit your resignation letter, someone from Human Resources should reach out to you to schedule some time to discuss the role you are leaving.

This main reason why companies conduct exit interviews is so they can better understand why you are leaving. It is also a time where your employer can understand what they can do better in future to support employees.

Take time to decide whether voicing criticism or concerns will actually be beneficial in any way. These statements may simply sour relationships. Instead, focus on the positive experiences from your employment. Talk about the parts of a new job that are attracting you.

While it may be tempting to discuss the negative aspects of the job, list some of the good things. Only talking about the bad may leave the interviewer with a bad impression of you.

Prepare for a Quick Exit

Unless it is the law, or it is explicitly in your contract, your employer does not have an obligation to let you continue working.

Sometimes an employer will immediately cut you off from access to company information. In extreme cases, they may escort you off the premises as soon as you hand in your resignation letter.

This can be in the interest of protecting company information. The severity of this reaction will be based on the conditions under which you are leaving.

Preparing for the worst by retrieving any important documents from your work computer and setting aside any examples of your work may be beneficial. This is a great step to take before handing in your resignation. However, you must realize that anything that you worked on during working hours is legally property of your employer.

Provide a Positive End to Your Employment

Once you’ve announced your departure from your job, your employer may ask you to help prepare them for your leaving. This may include training someone to take over your position. It may also include outlining the current status of any projects you are working on. Lastly, you may be asked to created a handover manual which outlines everything from your most important reminders to the status and background of clients you’ve worked closely with during your time at the company.

If you offer this help to your employer before leaving they will be grateful. It also reflects positively on you. This way, your resignation will not have as big of a disruption on the company as a whole.

Handing in Your Resignation Letter – Summary

When you leave your job after submitting your resignation letter, make sure you maintain a positive attitude and work hard up until your very last day. Find out the benefits you are entitled to. Also, be sure to ace that exit interview before you head on out to your new employer.

A lot will likely happen in your last days or weeks with a company. It should be an overall positive experience for everyone, resulting in great connections as you move on to a new job.