How to quit?

Question

This is related to the other thread but somewhat different... How do I properly resign?

I've only quit once before and I did it when my manager had a properly scheduled career talk with me. I felt quite bad about it because he was actually offering me a pretty nice promotion. But I had to turn it down because I really wanted to get out of that team and try something new.

This time, there is another obstacle. My manager is in the UK. he hardly ever comes to visit us (maybe once every 2 or 3 months). Assuming he doesn't come in the next month or so, how should I give him the news?

Call him up or write a resignation email?

3underscore · Answer

Are they in London?

If so, I can call by and tell them if you want.

lepium · Answer

Try to at least call him (if you cannot wait for him to come visit). Schedule a teleconference, drop the news, and see what happens. 

If someone resigned a position with me via e-mail I would be mad (so IMHO you would be probably burning bridges).

Hope it helps. L.

fluffydot · Answer

Ok so calling is better. 

I guess most people send out an email afterwards... to the entire team saying that they will be leaving to pursue new opportunities blah blah blah, it's been a great X number of years working with everyone, etc, etc.

lepium · Answer

The farewell e-mail is usually sent on your last day of work, not when you inform your employer that you will be leaving in a month's time. Your closest colleagues will know all along, but the rest will get the news with this e-mail and probably some will call you on phone (so send it around 2pm and not 5pm). It's usually courteous to add a personal e-mail in CC. Don't worry, most people won't write to you. And the few that do will be those you consider part of your network.

Cheers. L.

johnnyx9 · Answer

I would email him first and just say, "I was hoping we could set up fifteen minutes or so to talk on the phone." The ominous and vague tone of your email will give him a heads up that you're either going to resign or ask for a raise. This way you spare the awkwardness of just springing it on him in the middle of a conversation. It will give him time to think about how he will react so he doesn't fly off the handle or clam up. 

Then you can explain to him over the phone. After that, you should send a formal resignation email to him, which he can forward to HR for their records. And then on the last day of work you can send out a mass email to all your colleagues wishing them well.

johnnyx9 · Answer

Oh and one more thing about the farewell email to your colleagues, I would keep it friendly but formal. Some people take the opportunity to try and be comedians or to get too sentimental or to throw in some passive-aggressive jabs at the company. This email will in some ways be your last impression on these colleagues who you may turn to for help down the road, so go out on a high note telling everyone what you've enjoyed about working with them and wish them well.

rhyme · Answer

Ask for a raise then quit ... lOL

mattyb · Answer

Way back in the day during my undergrad I quit my job at Lowe's over the intercom...do they have an intercom where you work?

johnnyx9 · Answer

That's hilarious!

fluffydot · Answer

I wish we had an intercom... and I can imagine there would be quite a bit of cheering if I made such an annoucement. But alas, it would be a useless gesture since my manager and his manager are not even in the same country as me.

btw, a mere 3 weeks left til I give notice. Man I can hardly wait.

mattyb · Answer

It was pretty amusing, however not so much to the manager at the time. I did it because people teased me about my intercom voice...so what if I tried to sound like Bruce Buffer when I needed to call a loader to the front, I happen to like my voice!

Mark4124 · Answer

How about... "Take this job and shove it!"

Mark4124 · Answer

I agree with the email comment. That is certainly customary where I work, though I have seen it a few days before your last day as well... "My last day will be Friday" sort of thing.

How to quit?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards