Rookie mistakes you should avoid when you resign
We have all been there at some stage in our career where we must face the daunting task of resigning from your job.
If you have not been there yet, you will be.
You might be resigning because you hate where you work, you might have received an opportunity elsewhere that you cannot resist or you might be emigrating.
Whatever the reason, resignation is always a tricky subject.
Some might say there is an art to resigning, but that is equivalent to saying there is an art to a break-up.
You will never know exactly how the resignation will go, but there are a few things that can be done to make your exit a little easier.
Mistake #1: Being indecisive One of the main reasons people resign is because they do not feel valued.
This causes people to use a resignation to force an employer’s hand for a higher package or more benefits.
If this is a tactic you are thinking of using, I would highly recommend not doing this.
When you resign, it should be because you are ready for that next step.
If you choose to use resignation as a scare tactic, there’ sa chance it might backfire.
An employer could easily see it as a grudge purchase and a few months down the line, you are in a position where you are earning more money, but you could be more miserable than before.
Mistake #2: Telling your coworkers first
Taking the next step in your career can be exciting and it’s hard to keep good news to yourself, especially when you have developed good friendships with colleagues.
However, it is always best to speak to your managers about your resignation first.
It allows them to decide how they are planning to tell the rest of your colleagues, as well as what will be done regarding the handover.
Mistake #3: Giving short notice
Once you have decided to make the move as hard as it is to contain your excitement and not get in your car and go to the new job immediately after your resign, patience is a virtue.
In SA, the average notice period is either one calendar month or four weeks.
Use this time to help train whoever is taking over your job and ensure there is a smooth handover process.
This will also help gain the respect of your employer.
Mistake #4: Bragging about your new employment
Colleagues might ask about the new job, whether out of politeness or nosiness.
Make sure you don’t brag about the new position for two reasons.
One, you don’t want to demotivate your colleagues about their current work space and, two, it might sound as if you are criticising your current employer, which is not what you want.
Tip #1: Prepare ahead of time
Though we expect we will be part of the handover process, depending on your position you might find that they ask you to leave immediately.
For this reason, before you resign, make sure you have deleted all your personal details off your computer and have the contact details of all the colleagues you still want to stay in contact with.
Tip #2: Resign in person The law in SA requires a written resignation for the company to keep on file.
However, before you resign, have a short, positive conversation with your manager to inform them of your decision.
This conversation does not need to be long and you do not need to tell them where you are going or even why you have decided to leave.
It just shows integrity and respect when you resign in person.
Keep the conversation positive and honest.
Tip #3: Get all the information you need from the company and ask them to be a reference
Admin is always a hassle, but rather get everything when you leave than having to go back and forth to your previous employer to get certain documents.
Documents to ask your employer for include your IRP5, what your remaining leave days are, and a letter of service.
Also ask them if they will be willing to give you a reference should your new employer need it or should you require it in future.
Tip #4: Help with the handover
If you are given the opportunity to work your notice period, take the time to work closely with whoever will be taking over from you and help ensure they have everything they need when you are no longer there.
Not only is this a professional way to exit the company, but it will show your integrity.
Sometimes a resignation is smooth and sometimes a resignation is a bit rocky, but it is never easy as we develop some sort of relationship with managers — even if it is a bad one.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that this is not a personal matter, but rather a professional one, and that your reasons for leaving are to improve yourself and your ruture career.
Remember your network is your net worth and you want to end the relationship on a positive note.