How to quit professionally

Are you about to leave your current job but worried about how to tell your boss? Make sure you don’t burn any bridges with your employer by following these tips to ensure you quit your job professionally:

1. Make sure your manager is the first person to know

Your manager deserves to be the first person to know, so even though you might desperately want to tell your colleagues that you’re leaving, refrain from doing so (even from your close friends), until you have told your manager.

2. Quit in person

Be as respectful as possible and make sure you resign in person. Bring your resignation letter with you to present in the meeting but be prepared to have an open and honest face to face conversation about your reasons for leaving. You can hand over your resignation letter once you are finished. If your boss doesn’t work in the same geographical location as you, it is more courteous to hold a telephone or video call conversation rather than sending your resignation via email.

3. Give adequate notice

You may be required to work a specific period of notice, but it’s always best to try and give as much notice as possible irrespective of what is written in your contract, particularly if you are in a higher-level management position or if your role is complex and perhaps difficult to fill. This will allow your boss more time to find a suitable replacement without added time pressure.

4. Train your replacement

Regardless of why you are leaving, your replacement deserves a thorough and helpful training handover. Be sure to give them as much advice as possible to help them fit into the role you are leaving as this will not only reflect well on you but will also ensure your replacement will be in the best position possible to take on their new job moving forward.  If you don’t have the opportunity to provide a face to face handover, then consider leaving a comprehensive handover document to give the new starter the best opportunity to transition successfully into the role.

5. Work as hard as you can until your last day

Just because you’ve quit, it doesn’t mean you should begin to slack. The best way to leave on a positive note is to ensure you work as hard as you can, ensuring a smooth transition, right up until your very last day.

6. Don’t speak negatively about your company or manager

Never speak negatively about your manager or the company in the exit process. During your exit interview, it’s important to be honest but balanced. Try to think of the positives of your time at the company and voice any concerns constructively. You’ve got nothing to gain by letting emotions get the better of you and saying something you may later regret.

7. Keep in touch

If you’ve left on good terms, it’s always good to try and keep in contact with your manager or people of key importance within the organisation. You never know when you might want to be rehired by your former employer, or when you might need to call on an old manager or colleague for their help or contacts in the future.

Next steps

After you've notified your manager of your intention to resign, you'll need to submit a formal written resignation letter. Not sure where to begin? No worries! We've got you covered. Check out our resignation letter template and tips for resigning professionally to leave on a positive note.