ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2007 > March > 16 > Entry
Walk out the door with class
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You have had enough with your current employer - the pay is less than what you deserve, you are sick of the office politics, the internal systems are terrible, and the work environment is negative. So you have decided to throw in the towel. Now what?
Resignation - the first step in your departure
Resigning is never a fun part of your departure from a job. When giving notice of your resignation, you should always supply a letter of resignation. This should include the date of your resignation and the position you are resigning from as well as your signature. This is a brief letter. Be careful to make it short and to the point.
The Last Days
Wow! You’ve resigned and you are almost to the finish line with working out your notice. It is a time you should mention that your reason for leaving is just time for you to move on and you have found an opportunity in line with your long-term goals. If you are asked to assist in training your replacement, do so with class. The more graceful your exit, the more certain you can be that you can always count on your previous employer for a stellar reference.
Exit Interview
If your company has an Exit Interview or Exit Questionnaire, there are a few things you should know how to handle properly when going through this final process. This is when you should discuss the details of insurance coverage, pension plan extension, vacation pay and any other outstanding discussions that relate to benefits. You will also be asked many questions such as: If you could change anything about the company, what would you change? You answer should be similar to, “I think that we have a lot of exceptional people on our team and they could be driven to move mountains; however, I do think that the performance based compensation plan is not as competitive as it could be. With a few small changes, I believe it would heighten overall performance and make a positive long-term impact on the company.”
Remember, if you land a new job and want to leave a lasting impression on your co-workers and management that will reward you time and time again through references throughout your career, be POSITIVE about the company. Who knows? Your new company could later acquire or merge with your old. Who would have guessed that someone leaving their career at the established Time Warner Company to take a new position with America Online would later merge right back in with his old buddies?
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