When you leave a company and write your resignation letter, you may feel you have a lot to say about what you didn't like about working there. Regardless of your reasons for wanting to criticize your former workplace or supervisor, you should resist the temptation to use the letter as a venting outlet for your frustrations.
Whatever your reasons to leave a company, a carefully thought-out resignation letter is a great way to leave a lasting, positive impression. Your previous company is a valuable source of references for future employers, so the way you depart from a job is at least as important as how you earned the position in the first place. Avoid these pitfalls when you resign.
Do not leave room for doubt in your resignation letter. Make it abundantly clear when is your last day on the job. More importantly, do not quit abruptly. Review your company policy for leaving in good standing. The general standard remains a two-week notice, but higher-level positions may require one month, several months or even a year so companies have enough time to find eligible replacements. Upper-level jobs may even have contract stipulations that penalize you if you leave sooner than expected.
Do not criticize your former supervisor or any part of your previous work experience with the firm. Even though your resignation letter sits in a human resources file, any supervisor with access can look at it. If you want a good reference later, do not disparage any part of walking away from your position. Talk about your former company as a "great place to work for" with "great products and services" instead. Say you had a fantastic experience working with everyone on the team.
Avoid talking about money or salary within your document. Salary negotiations for higher pay should have taken place through proper channels such as your manager or the human resources department. A resignation letter does not represent a bargaining chip. Instead, thank your boss for the opportunity to earn a living with a wonderful company.
You do not have to explain things fully to your boss. A resignation is not the time or the outlet to lay everything out on the table. People quit jobs all the time, and supervisors are trained to handle these situations. Avoid apologizing; after all, you have free will, and you can leave if you want to.
You have plenty of outlets and chances to talk to staff at your company to air grievances or offer constructive criticism. Your resignation letter is not the place to air out dirty laundry. Leave your position with dignity and grace. This allows you to maintain viable connections within your network of colleagues and transform your former employer into a valuable future reference.
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