You have made the decision to quit your regular 9-5 desk job for the life of an entrepreneur. However, you don't exactly hate your job or the people you work with. This is perfectly OK, and it will do you good to prevent burning any bridges with your almost former company. You never know when you might need the help of your former co-workers or place of work. They may even be a great relationship in growing your new business.
Whatever your reasons for moving on from your current job, we have some tips to help you maintain a great relationship before, during, and after you resign.
If you want to burn a bridge, pulling out of a job during a big project is the way to do it. This is where timing is everything. Take a look at current and upcoming projects. Time your departure when the project will be done or your role is no longer needed. If you do decide to resign during a project, make sure everything your team needs will be taken care of once you're gone. Putting your team members first shows you genuinely care that they succeed.
Besides timing your departure, making sure your co-workers, staff, and boss know when you plan to leave needs to be considered. Giving notice well ahead of time can help your team and boss prepare before you actually leave. Be sure to check the company policy for what they consider adequate notice of resignation. You can always give more than the company policy, which shows your co-workers and boss how much you care about supporting them before you leave.
Most resignation letters must be written out, whether by hand, printed out, or through an email. How you word this letter will determine if you burn a bridge or maintain it. Be sure to sound professional, polite, and positive. Important topics to mention in your letter include your reason for leaving, gratitude for the company hiring you, and wishing the company well after your resignation. If you really want to make sure no bridges come crashing down, tell your manager of your resignation in person, and hand them your letter.
Once you inform your superiors of your departure, begin telling your team members or co-workers. Scheduling one-on-one meetings or a group meeting allows you to tell others face to face. Ensure them of your continual support until your last day. Thank those who have helped you grow at the company, and let them know how much you will miss them.
Sometimes we have to say goodbye in order to follow another path. Letting those know how much you appreciated the work they put it or have helped you grow is important for maintaining continued relationships once you resign.
As you set out on your own, making great relationships with other businesses greatly increases your chances of success. We're sure a great company will wish you all the success in your new ventures!
