what is the best way to quit your job?

[falcon]

I am resigning tomorrow from my current position to move to what is basically my current employers direct competitor. Some people are saying to keep hush on where I'm going, and others are saying to just tell them straight up so they hear it from me.


Opinions?

Reasons for moving involve a closer commute, better hours, better pay etc... so it's a no brainier. I just want to to it as delicately as I can without "burning bridges" as some would put it.



I'm looking for legit insight here guys, not high school kids who quit their jobs by putting a letter under the boss' door and peaceing it. throwing in their two cents (no offense).

[Shadao]

it depends on if you like the job or not...

if you like the job and the people there then be respectful... if not well have at it...

when i quit my job once ive found something better... even if i take a pay cut, im gonna let fit hit the shan.... i hate my boss as she is retarded and would love nothing more than to freak out on her ala " scarface from half baked style "

[RyanGTS-T]

Just give them your two weeks notice.

IF they are complete asholes to you, then stop showing up and just start the new job sooner if possible.

Honestly I quit one job to move to a better paying job, and I just told them why and gave them my two weeks notice and they understood and even said that if things didn't work out I could always come back, they would gladly re-hire me.

And well I ended up getting laid off my better paying job 5 months down the road due to the lack of work for me to do.



In your situation you may just want to let them know that you've found a better paying job closer to home and leave out the part about it being a rival company.

[anthony]

my opinion is to be respectful,and leave on good terms you never know
when/if youll need a letter of recommendation in the future
that way you can get one from them as well as from the job you are going to.
if you can, leave on good terms,if you leave on bad terms
even if you dont need a letter of recommendation
word of mouth can still bite you in the ass

[JNS Performance]

Ya I highly suggest just giving to weeks and saying you got a job closer to your house and has hours better suited to your schedule.

Always leave on good terms if possible, recommendations are huge when working in a trade or any career based job.

[Daryl @ RightDrive]

I was in the same situation before, and everyone pretty much knew where I was going (small company) and they were pretty cool about it. I just told them the truth, it was a great opportunity for me and I couldn't say no. They understood that, and I'm sure your company will understand your situation if you are honest with them.

[dah_hunter]

Never burn bridges..

At my current Job im quite open with my Boss that im underpaid and if something better comes around i might jump ship.. Some people think, its bad that im like that because they might not think im going to stick around..

its been 2 years now.. and im still good.

[PH_Motorsports]

Never burn bridges...

Very Good Advice !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[G.T.R]

Around lunch time on your last day take everyones lunch orders make sure the bill mounts collect the money and just leave LOL

When someone who worked with me at price chopper did that and quit I LOL'd

[GTR-Dad]

If you want the door to be open at your current employer down the road, I'd make an appointment with your boss and let him know what's going on - including who you're going to work for. Better he hears it from you....

Read up a bit on what your rights as a worker are regarding keeping trade secrets etc. If you signed any confidentiality agreements when you started, read them! (No one can deprive you of the abiliyt to make a living, no matter what you signed. You can't unlearn what's in your head... Remember there's no such thing as good free legal advise. This is free, so...:wink

Let him know that you respect your current employer, have enjoyed your time with them, have learned lot's of good things, and wish to leave on good terms. Ask him if there is any information your current employer is particularly sensitive about. Don't commit to doing whatever he says, but let him know that you value your relationship and you'll be better able to protect their interests _where you are able_ if you know what they consider 'theirs'.

Obviously the nature of your job plays into whether or not you do this. To me, it demonstrates maturity and responsibility to be open, honest, and cooperative.

Dan

[NismoS-tune]

Like Dan says is a good choice. I would say if you're in a serious career, then keep that bridge/door intact. If you're working a dead end job like a restaurant, paint store or something with low pay/crappy benefits then you have no reason to leave on a 2 week notice.

If the company would lay you off on a day's notice or fire you without severance then why respect them when you're leaving. When I was out of highschool working in lumber yards and restaurants, I did the whole 2 weeks notice and debrief with the boss but all for what? Their reference was useless when it came to a serious career or a corporate company unless it was in the same field.

I work for a corporation so I'd give a month's notice now to keep the reference or even a future opportunity to maybe one day return. Then again, with the random drug testing here, they could can someone on the spot lol... Heck, they'd even fire someone for not wearing a fall arrest safety harness when working about 6 feet lol... sick. I think we're about 3500 employees here and have 1500 contractors.

Anyways, are you talking a restaurant? Magazine? Paint store? or like a law firm or bank?

[Snow]

...Heck, they'd even fire someone for not wearing a fall arrest safety harness when working about 6 feet lol... sick. I think we're about 3500 employees here and have 1500 contractors.

This is quite legit. Whether they actually think you will hurt yourself from a 6 foot fall or not is completely irrelevant. We've had WCB fines in excess of $40,000 for someone not wearing a safety harness. WCB pretty much has its own fining system, and if you don't pay it, you aren't covered. And in our industry (condominium development) if you don't have WCB, you don't get work. The next time someone breaks WCB my father could be fined upwards of $100,000 or even face jail time for not ensuring he is looking after his employees safety. I'd fire you too for not wearing a harness where required with those stakes...

(The above is MY understanding of WCB, it could very well be incorrect.)

Back on topic however;

I think it is extremely important to leave any position with dignity and respect. Forget returning later or whichever, just think of it from a resume point of view. If you've worked somewhere for any significant amount of time (even just three months) you will be putting that job on your resume as work experience/employment history. Are you not going to provide a supervisors contact or reference for that job? If you don't it practically screams "Yes I worked here and left on bad terms, so don't call them as they might say mean things about me." As a past and future employer, I look for those gaps. It's even worse if you just don't include a couple years of working history on your resume, cause then they know you're hiding something.

And for anyone in a position like Shadao, I would strongly discourage lashing out. I watched one of my assistants do this at work when he quit. Didn't come across professional and he definitely regretted it later. Besides, in an interview situation where you're asked about poor work experiences you can tell them about the hell you lived through, and how you maturely handled yourself and the situation.

I'd say sit down with the boss, ask if he requires two weeks or not, and ask what is deemed confidential information that you should not reveal. That way you're all on the same page, and it all comes from you. It will foster the relationship you have built with him and the shop, and could even turn in to future business relations.

[M13]

Instead of writing essays about this topic, I'll just mention the key things you need to quit professionally.

1. Written resignation letter (typed, well-written, signed and dated)
2. Respect

Formally, a two weeks notice with the letter will be sufficient, providing the two weeks notice date, and the "last day" you will be working.

You have the rights to not mention where you are going/what the plans are to move on, but if you respect your current employer and working environment, leave basic details about why you are moving on.

After that you can insert details about how you liked the opportunity, connections, teamwork, experience, etc...

A professional boss/work environment won't make it a big deal nor hassel you about it.

As for what your plans are, don't share it with co-workers as that leads to interesting outcomes. Keep it private with your employer(s), it's between you, the employee who is submitting the resignation from their employment position.

All the connection you made at work has been made over a long period of time, it takes less than two weeks to burn that "bridge" if handled wrong. Keep personal and business apart and you'll be fine.

[sykline]

If you're working a dead end job like a restaurant, paint store or something with low pay/crappy benefits then you have no reason to leave on a 2 week notice.
When I was out of highschool working in lumber yards and restaurants, I did the whole 2 weeks notice and debrief with the boss but all for what? Their reference was useless when it came to a serious career or a corporate company unless it was in the same field.

I completely disagree with this. Any job that you've worked an extended period of time shows any potential employer that you're employable and loyal. Being loyal to an employer is one thing but ultimately its all about ourselves. Most bosses will understand this and would appreciate and be more than happy to be a reference if you quit right.
I worked in a japanese restaurant for 6 years and i hated the conditions towards the end but i wouldn't have gotten my current job at a research facility if it wasn't for my ex boss. Don't burn bridges just like everyone else said. Its all about networking and a lot of things have a way of coming back to bite you in the ass.

Good luck with the new job.

[falcon]

Ya I highly suggest just giving to weeks and saying you got a job closer to your house and has hours better suited to your schedule.

Always leave on good terms if possible, recommendations are huge when working in a trade or any career based job.

That's basically what I did today.

Told them nothing personal and I like my job (which I did), but the hours/commute and working 6 days was starting to take it's toll.

They took it surprisingly well. Unfortunately they want me to stay for two weeks which sucks because I want to start the new job like... now, but I want to stay on good terms so I'll stick it out.