If you’re still working and looking for a new job, you’re probably focusing on the day you take that new position. That will be a great day, the start of a new career path, more money, better commute, or successfully achieving any other job change goals.
Before you take that new job, you need to plan for another equally important day--the day you give notice to your current employer. You may be the darling of the department, the highest producer or have the most seniority, but things can change once you hand in your resignation letter.
While you look forward to two weeks of work with fond farewells, a party or goodbye luncheon and a solid recommendation letter, the company may have a different scenario. Depending on your position, access to information and performance issues that were never discussed, you can find yourself cleaning out your desk moments after you drop the letter off to HR.
So before you make your exit public, here are six important action steps:
- Silence is Golden. You may have a BFF at the office that you trusted with your personal life, but you don’t know how he will react to this news. If he’s been interviewing as well, he can either, a.) be happy for you and keep it quiet, or b.) Let it “slip” and tip off the boss before you have a chance to break the news. You don’t want your “secret” posted on Facebook by a jealous “friend” for the world to see.
- Get a copy of your personnel file. You have a right to copies of documents in your file, and should keep copies of any personnel actions, benefit change forms, awards or recognitions. If you don’t have a copy of everything in your file, ask to see your file “just to check on something,” and then ask for copies of anything you don’t already have. You won’t have an opportunity after you leave, and it may not be as easy after you resign.
- Count the cost. Read the employee handbook or company policy on resignations. If you have to be employed for 12 months before the company pays out unused vacation or sick leave and you have only been there for 11 months, you may want to delay your resignation for another month to collect the extra payout. Do they offer reference letters?
- Read your original offer letter. The great job you did negotiating a full relocation allowance or sign on bonus may have had strings attached. If the new job will make up for reimbursing the company for an early exit, go for it. Finding out you have to pay back thousands of dollars for a voluntary quit after you hand in your resignation letter may be a huge financial burden.
- Talk to your new employer. Once you’ve accepted the new job, let them know when you are giving notice. If your current employer decides to cut you loose before your two-week notice period, you may be able to move up your start date and avoid two weeks without a paycheck.
- The day you hand in your letter, inform any mentors or others who may be future references for you. Consideration for those who have helped you succeed or have been supportive strengthens professional relationships which will be assets throughout your career.
Do you have any other tips that you can offer? Let me know in the comments.
Mary Nestor-Harper, SPHR, is a consultant, blogger, motivational speaker and freelance writer for communicationsjobs.net. Based in Savannah, GA, her work has appeared in Training magazine, Training & Development magazine, Supervision, BiS Magazine and The Savannah Morning News. When she’s not writing, she enjoys singing with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus and helping clients reinvent their careers for today’s job market. You can read more of her blogs at communicationsjobsblog.com and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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