Any advice to give to someone who is planning on resigning at their current/short winded job? The company invested in me and used me at the same time. However I’ve only been there 7 months, so I foresee it’s not going to be pretty…
While this is rather short and generally I’d stay, it isn’t the right fit and they do some things that are not ethical. It is in the accessory design industry, and I’ve been offered a better opportunity. Can anyone offer up the nicest approach to tell their employer it’s over?
Keep it short, sweet, and positive. Don’t bring up their shortcomings, most likely they are very aware of them and do business that way anyway and your parting comments won’t change that. What in the long run may is if they loose enough good designers who also seem to be good people, but they will need to figure that out on their own.
I would essentially say an edited version of what you said above.
“I greatly appreciate the opportunities you have given me and in return I have contributed to the best of my abilities. Reflecting on my time here, I feel that this may not be the best long term fit for me and I have explored another non-cometitive opportunity that I think may align with my long term goals and happiness. My employment should be considered over on xxx date. Again thank you very much and I wish you and the company much future success.”
You don’t have to tell them where you are going or anything beyond that unless you feel you want to.
Yo is right the last thing you want to do is burn bridges or point out faults. I think what Yo wrote is great but I would om mite a few things and keep it very neutral and simple.
"I have been offered an opportunity that closer relates to my long term and short term professional goals. Although I have enjoyed my experience with you I feel that I need to move on. I will will be starting my new opportunity on XXXXX and will be more then happy to provide you with any need support during this transition.
Once again thank you for the great opportunity and experience."
Depending on the person and how they take it I try to leave out my emotional feelings and things of that nature. As designer for some our emotions are our strongest asset and greatest hindrance…
Chevis W.
Opps, forgot to say it is best to do this in person, and if the individual takes an unprofessional approach when you resign (which can happen) then make sure you rise above it and remain professional at all time. Also be prepared that they may (depending on policy) have you leave immediately so have all of your affairs in order…(at your desk)
Also if doing in person still provide the letter but also rehearse what you are going to say.
You also might want to consider being prepared for a counter-offer and resulting discussion. As Yo mentioned your parting comments probably won’t change them much, but your resignation might be a wake-up call that sparks a counter-offer discussion.
Counter-offers don’t always just mean more money, they can result in more responsibility, empowerment, and influence and they may very well ask you your reasons for leaving so that they can return with a counter-offer that enables you to change the problems that you see.
Of you can just politely stonewall them if you’ve definitely made up your mind.
But keep in mind if you are unhappy because of un ethical things they do…increase in money wont make it go away. You may be happy for a short period but the real reasons why you want to leave will still be there.
There is an HR study that says more money makes people happy for about 6 months, and then the issues they had before reappear and the cycle starts again. The real value is in addressing he issues for a successful organization.