One way to soften the blow is to give them some warning. If you know that you want to leave in the next few months, let them know well in advance so they can start looking for a replacement. You can also use this time to help train your replacement, so they're ready to take over when you leave.
Another way to let your boss know is to frame it as a positive decision. For example, you might say that you've been thinking about quitting for a while and you've decided it's time for a new challenge. This can make the conversation less confrontational and make it easier for your boss to accept.
No matter how you tell your boss, remember to be professional and respectful. Thank them for the opportunity they've given you and express your hope that things will continue smoothly after you've left. And whatever you do, don't burn any bridges! You may need them in the future.
Be Honest With Your Boss
It's never easy to quit your job. When you're leaving because you're unhappy, unfulfilled, or underappreciated it can be even harder. However quitting a job on good terms is important for several reasons:
Saying goodbye with dignity leaves the door open for future opportunities - you might want to work together again in the future and by quitting on good terms this is possible. It makes it easier to ask for a reference from that company or boss - who wants to give a hypercritical reference? They might refuse which means no new career prospects! Tread carefully here but quitting on good terms makes resigning easier as well as maintaining those references. You feel better about yourself - no one likes getting fired but sometimes it's necessary. If this is the case, be honest with yourself and quit for the right reasons. Even if you don't get along with your boss or are unfulfilled by your work, there's nothing wrong with that! It may just mean it's time to move on. So then maybe resigning won't change anything but it will feel better than getting fired.
Working somewhere you hate can make you miserable - I totally understand why people leave jobs in anger whether they give their two weeks notice or not (just make sure you follow all appropriate workplace policies). You need to do what makes sense for you and quitting doesn't always mean hating where you work. Sometimes it means realizing this job isn't working out for whatever reason; at which point leaving on good terms is the best decision even if it means leaving on bad terms.
Of course, there are times when quitting a job without saying goodbye or without leaving on good terms is the best choice especially if your boss is a bully or difficult to work with in general. This can be really hard to determine from the outside so take care before you quit and don't beat yourself up about what you do afterwards. Sometimes this has serious consequences but sometimes it's the only way - honesty coupled with integrity will always lead us down a more fulfilling path!
A Few Tips For Quitting On Good Terms:
Give as much notice as possible - this varies by company policy but try to give at least two weeks notice if possible. Doing so goes a long way in terms of maintaining a positive relationship with your former employer.
Politely resign in person - again, this varies by company policy but most places prefer this to resignation emails. It's a more personal way to say goodbye and it gives you the opportunity to explain your decision face-to-face.
Express gratitude for the opportunity - even if you hated every minute of your time at the company, be sure to thank them for the opportunity they gave you. You never know when things might change and you may want to work together again in the future.
Leave on good terms - this is key! No matter how difficult it may have been working at your previous job, always remember to leave on good terms. This can mean different things to different people but generally speaking, try to avoid burning bridges.
Quitting your job is never easy but it can be done in a way that leaves everyone feeling good about the situation. By following these tips, you'll be able to quit your job on good terms and maintain positive relationships with your former employer.
7 Steps To Quitting Your Job Gracefully
1. Think long term not short term
OK, you're sick of your job and it's really hard not to be impatient about quitting as soon as possible. But think carefully, what would really happen if you quit now? Will it affect your future opportunities? If so, is it worth taking the risk? Or is there any way you could improve the situation at work and stay longer than expected? Maybe you can set up a meeting with your boss and ask them how they feel about the current situation. If they're open to ideas, suggest some strategies for improvement that might help boost morale or efficiency in your workplace. The more friction between all employees at the company (including yourself), the less likely it is that you'll be able to quit soon without damaging relationships or future prospects.
2. Evaluating what quitting will cost you
Quitting a job always has costs, both tangible and intangible. For example, do you have any savings cushion to help you through the transition? How long will it take you to find a new job? What if the new job isn't as good as the old one? Will your self-esteem take a hit from being unemployed for an extended period of time? All these factors need to be considered before quitting your job. It's important to remember that just because you're unhappy with something doesn't mean it's time to make a change.
3. Talk to your boss about quitting gracefully of course
Talking to your boss about how you feel can help them help you. If they realize that it's time for you to leave, they'll be able to start planning for the transition and helping both of you plan a smooth exit. Even if your job is in jeopardy right now, there may be other options available when you go to talk with your boss. Maybe there's another role at the company that would suit you better or maybe there's some extra training which will bring out the best in both of you.
4. Consider what quitting your job might mean
There are a lot of things that need to be considered before quitting a job: How do I tell my boss? What will I say? What impact will quitting have on my co-workers? How will my family take it? What if the new job isn't as good as I expect it to be? Do I really need to quit my job right now? All these questions are important and they all must be answered before making the decision to quit.
5. Give yourself time to reflect on your options
Sometimes, quitting a job is the best possible option, but there are other times when it might be better to stay put and try to make things work. Only you can decide what's best for you, but remember that rash decisions made in the heat of the moment are rarely the best course of action. Take some time for reflection, talk with friends or family members your options, and consult with professionals if you're feeling lost.
6. Have a plan for after quitting your job
Quitting a job can be a very emotional process, but it's important to have a plan for what comes next. This doesn't mean you have to have everything figured out, but knowing your next steps will at least give you some peace of mind. Maybe you want to take some time off to travel or relax before starting the job hunt again. Or maybe you want to start sending out resumes and cover letters right away. The bottom line is that you should have an idea of what you want to do and how you're going to do it.
7. Leave on good terms
As much as possible, try to leave the job on good terms with your boss and co-workers. This will help make the transition easier for everyone and might even lead to future opportunities. If you have a positive relationship with your boss, it might be worth considering staying on in a different role or even taking a leave of absence. There are always options available, but they're much more likely to be explored if everyone involved is happy and respectful
Quitting a job can be a very difficult decision, but by following these steps, you can make the process a little bit easier. Remember to think carefully about all your options before making any decisions and to stay calm and professional throughout the quitting process.
Have Attention To Do This
-Be direct and honest. Don't beat around the bush or try to sugarcoat it. Just tell your boss straight out that you're quitting.
-Be respectful. Even though you may be angry or frustrated with your job, it's important to be respectful when you give your notice.
-Keep it short and sweet. There's no need to go into detail about why you're quitting or what led to your decision. Just let your boss know that you're resigning and offer your resignation date.
-Thank them for the learning experience. No matter how terrible the job was, it's important to thank your boss for everything you learned from them.
Good luck!
