Quitting Your Current Job For a Better Opportunity

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It’s never easy to say goodbye to coworkers and a job you like, but if a better opportunity arises, it is important to weigh your options.  If you do make the choice to leave, it is very important to part your way with grace and professional courtesy.  You should always leave your current employer wishing they could have you back.

5 Tips to Leave Your Current Position for a Better Opportunity

  1. Notify your boss in person.
    The only appropriate way to put in your resignation is in person.  No boss should have to hear that an employee is leaving from the office gossip mill, much less social media. Even if the relationship between you and your employer is rocky, the only mature, professional way to resign is face-to-face.  It’ll leave a better impression and help prevent any resentment.  You never know if you’ll need your boss as a reference  (or have to work with them at another company) later on, so be careful not to burn bridges.
  1. Tell your most valued coworkers first.
    After you let your boss and the human resources department know about your decision to resign, ask when it’s okay to communicate the decision to your coworkers.  Asking management how they’d like the news to be rolled out shows upmost respect.  When they’re okay with you sharing the news, tell the three or four coworkers who have been the most supportive of you first.  These people deserve to know learn about your decision from you and not through the grapevine.  Before you leave, write a farewell email about your positive experiences working for the company and with your colleagues.
  1. Give as much notice as possible.
    While a two-week notice seems to be the standard in most industries, you don’t want to cause negativity by leaving your company in a bind.  If you’ve been working on a major project that has three weeks left, let your new employer know up front, that you need to finish out the project.  Most hiring managers will understand because it shows you’re a dedicated employee and care about seeing your work through.  If your position requires a specific skill set that’s hard to find, ask your supervisor if they’d like you to reach out to contacts similar to you that may be interested.  If you’re the only one with knowledge in your area, giving more than a two-week notice is a respectful way to allow time to transition knowledge to another employee before you depart.  However, if your new employer needs you right away, don’t lose your new job over trying to keep things in order at the company you’re leaving.
  1. Write thank you notes.
    Send a thank you note to your direct supervisor and any another senior managers that have helped with your career development.  Let them know how much you appreciate all that they did for you.  Even if the relationship between you and your boss wasn’t great, write a positive note thanking them for being your supervisor and wish them well.  You don’t need to go overboard, but it’s common courtesy to show your gratitude for the opportunity you had to work for the company.
  1. Leave your contact information.
    Even if you don’t plan to stay in touch with your current colleagues, it’s important to appear as though you do.  Give your personal contact information out in a farewell e-mail, and let colleagues know that they’re welcome to keep in touch.  Your colleagues may eventually change jobs too, and you never know when you’ll run into them in a business situation later on.  Be sure to get contact information from any one you’d want to reach out to later on.

If you’re thinking about leaving your job in search of a better opportunity, let the experienced recruiters at RealStreet Staffing  help put your job search on the fast track.  RealStreet Staffing matches executive level professionals with career opportunities in the architectural, engineering and construction communities. Contact us today and you’ll be on to your next job in no time.

I have worked with RealStreet for the past five years to provide supplemental staffing for two federal government contracts. It has been a great partnership. I find RealStreet to be attentive and responsive to our needs, reliable, and they consistently find great people that fit what we need for multiple roles on two different programs.

Kevin T. Fitzpatrick, PMP, Peer Review Program Manager

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