How to Resign from Your Job

We talk to numerous candidates who are considering their next career move or are actively in the process of looking for their next job… but aren’t sure how to navigate quitting. Whether you love or hate the role you’re in or your manager, resigning is never an easy feat and if done poorly, can burn some important bridges along the way. In this guide, we want to share with you the best practices for resigning from your job.

1. REQUIRED NOTICE PERIOD

Before you give definitive dates to anyone, check what your notice period is at your current organisation. This information should be included in the employment contract you signed at the beginning of your tenure. If you did not sign a contract, it’s best to check Fair Work Ombudsman’s website. It is common for notice periods to be about 2 weeks to 1 month; however, this differs between organisations and industries. Note that notice periods don’t apply to certain employees – you can check the list here.

Many recruiters and hiring managers will also ask when you can start your new role, so having this information from the start makes it easier to proceed. You will also know when you are able to start your next job and plan your time accordingly – we know many candidates who plan vacations or events before starting their new role.

2. RESIGNATION LETTER

Most organisations will require some sort of formal resignation. Type up a resignation letter in advance and make sure to include:

• Your resignation.
• Your notice period/ effective end date.
• Thank you to the manager/ organisation is optional but recommended.
• Your signature and date.
• Optional: Your reason for leaving.

3. FACE TO FACE (VIRTUAL OR IN PERSON) MEETING

Telling your manager is never an easy thing to do. No matter how much you dislike your job, you should arrange a face-to-face meeting with your manager. This can be done virtually or in person if you are back in the office (one day). During the meeting, explain why you are leaving and offer your manager your resignation letter.

Whatever the reason(s) for leaving may be, remember that you will likely need your manager to be your reference for your next job, so it’s not the best place to bring up complaints. Try to stay professional and honest, while keeping negativity out of the conversation. If you really have nothing good to say, keep the explanation brief and generic. Most organisations will do reference checks and you don’t want to be left wondering what your ex-manager has to say about you to your potential new manager.

4. PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED

Keep in mind that during this conversation, other things might pop up like:

• You may be presented with a counteroffer at the existing company.
• You may be asked to leave immediately.
• You may be asked to stay longer than your required notice period.
Think about answers to these questions and other potential questions your manager may ask you.

5. EXPRESS GRATITUDE

Don’t forget to thank your manager for the opportunities that have been presented to you. You can do this by telling them during your face-to-face meeting, by writing them an email or calling them.

Depending on how long you’ve been with the organisation, you may want to express your gratitude to colleagues and leaders for your time together. It is always good to leave on a good note and who knows, you may encounter or even work with your ex-colleagues one day. Many people choose to send a farewell email and even include their contact details. Networking is always a good idea!

6. REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Provided you’ve resigned gracefully from your role and are on good terms with your previous manager, ask if they are willing to write you a letter of recommendation or a LinkedIn review. Having an ex- manager vouch for your abilities can help you stand out from a pool of similarly qualified candidates. You may even consider asking colleagues or clients you’ve had frequent contact with to do the same.

If asking your current manager isn’t an option, ask if they are willing to be your referee for your next job. Most managers are happy to oblige.

We know resigning is never easy, but we hope this guide has been useful. Don’t forget, we are always here to help so please feel free to have a chat with the consultant you’ve dealing with. We love to support our clients and candidates (even after placing them) and it’s the main reason why we’ve created this guide- to help you successfully navigate your career journey. Alternatively, if you’d like to speak with one of us or would like more information on what we do, please email feedback@bkcon.com.au or call 02 9888 7888.

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We are an Australian based wealth management recruitment firm. We specialise in recruitment for banking & credit, superannuation, life insurance, and investment professionals- both temporary and permanent. The consultants at B & K Consulting are also active participants and contributors in leading industry forums in Wealth Management, such as ALUCA, ANZIIF, ASFA, FSC, FEAL, and CFA Society. If you are interested in learning more about how we are involved, what types of roles we have available or are looking for new talent, please email us at future@bkcon.com.au or call us at 02 9888 7888 for more information. Visit our job listings for current opportunities.