This Independence Day got me thinking about a funny part of being a career expert: I’m often asked the same question time and time again by people who are complacently unhappy in their current jobs. They may ask in different ways, but the gist is always this: they’re unhappy and want to leave, they know they’re settling and they want to be encouraged to go for the resignation — to declare their career independence, if you will.
[See: How to Quit Your Job Like a Class Act.]
I’ve heard everything from, “I’m really miserable right now — is it OK to leave my current job without another one lined up?” to “I guess I’ll stick it out another year here until I see what annual raises are. What do you think?” And, “It just seems like a lot of effort to find a job. It’s not really too bad here, I suppose,” or “I know my boss is toxic, but it could still be a lot worse somewhere else.” Okay — the last two are more statements than questions, but you see where I’m going here.
The point is this: People convince themselves that it’s okay to settle for mediocrity. And I get it — sometimes it makes sense because there’s a major positive, like your commute is ideal or you have an incredible boss that has your back. I am, however, nudging you to at least explore what else is out there. Why? More often than not, people start feeling comfortable — check that, too comfortable — with their situation to even consider leaving, and they’ve stopped dreaming that a better job could be out there. Plus, many times people get tripped up just thinking about the actual act of resigning. They may fantasize about an impromptu “I quit!” but in reality, the proper resignation requires tact, planning and professionalism. There are a few necessary steps involved with effectively calling it a day at your place of work. Use these strategies when you’re giving your notice, and you’ll leave your job with peace of mind and, most importantly, without burning any bridges.
Figure out your timing. Sit down with a calendar in front of you and plan your exit. Whether you’ve scored a new gig, don’t have another job lined up (I did this and it worked out well for me) or want to declare your career independence by pursuing the freelance life, you absolutely need to figure out where your finances stand. What is your absolute time limit for not having income? How much time (and not to mention, head space) will you need to commit to looking for a job? More time will be especially helpful if your current situation is zapping away your energy and confidence — but you can’t ignore the fact that money will eventually run out, so figure out when that date you absolutely need to be bringing home a paycheck will be.
[See: 25 Awesome Business Jobs for 2016.]
Plan your farewell speech. Once you’ve figured out your timing, even if it’s a few months from now, plan your resignation talking points just as you would for a job interview. Especially if you’re nervous, planning and practice are essential. Keep it concise and professional: “It’s been great working for you, but I’m pursuing other endeavors. My last day will be X.” Yes, it really can be that simple!
You should also be prepared to answer the tough questions. Not unlike negotiating for a job offer, this too is simply a conversation. Perhaps your boss, like mine, is interested in learning more. Why do you want to leave? What changes can they make so you’re happier? Make sure you have professional but firm answers for these questions ready to go.
Hold your ground. Depending on how the conversation goes, you may likely be tempted to stay. When I resigned from my job a few years ago, I wasn’t prepared for my boss to beg me to stay. She offered a few concessions that kept me on board — at first. I was able to work from home a few days a week but, after two months, it didn’t change the fact that I was managing 40 clients and upwards of 150 candidates on a daily basis. Two months later, I resigned for good.
Learn from my mistake, and prepare for anything your boss might say to try to get you to reconsider. You have to remind yourself why you’ve made this decision and what you’ve dealt with on a day-to-day basis — not just during that one conversation. Ask yourself, “Why wouldn’t my employer do this for me in the first place? Do I really want to work for a company that only values me on my way out the door?” I deserved better — and so do you. Just remember, approach your resignation conversation, whether it’s in person (preferable) or over the phone (if you or your boss work remotely) with dignity and class. Be succinct and clear, and have that exit date in mind.
[See: 7 Companies With Perks That Will Totally Make You Jealous.]
Don’t burn bridges. You finally got up the courage to be honest and quit — great! But you never want to burn bridges, so it’s important to leave things on a professional note. Offer to schedule time with colleagues to pass along information and train them in certain areas. Do whatever is necessary to professionally close the loop on this job and, most importantly, leave them with a positive impression of who you are as a professional.
Finally, and this may seem too simple, but it’s critical that you thank everyone from your colleagues to your boss and your boss’s boss for the opportunity to work there and for everything that you’ve learned and gained along the way. We always learn something from our experiences — good and bad — and you should bring them all along as you take on a new, better job.
More from U.S. News
10 Reasons to Quit Your Job Already
10 Things They Don’t Tell You About Your First Job
How to (Diplomatically) Declare Your Career Independence originally appeared on usnews.com
