2/21/2006
Ciao For Now
So what do you do now that you’ve tendered your resignation?
I get all giddy when I think about leaving my job. I play out in my head all the possible scenarios of what it will be like when I finally leave. Since this is a hot-topic lately, I decided to add this to “Resignation Week” and discuss some things you need to be aware of before the final departure.
Purge
The first thing you do is purge all personal files that you may have on your desktop. I’d delete any/all non-work-related emails and even delete the cookies. The less you leave behind, the better. Come to think of it, you may want to do this before you submit your resignation. In the event that you are immediately escorted out of the building, you will lose any opportunity to “clean up”.
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Not everyone has the pleasure of being escorted out of the building. If you work with proprietary information or go to work for a competitor, the company may be uncomfortable about you staying. Otherwise, you’ll most likely remain for the standard 2 weeks.
“It’s not you, it’s me”
Don’t feel bullied to cite your reasons for leaving or where you’re going. That should really be up to you and what you’re comfortable with. You should be able to get by with, “I’m sorry to be leaving the company but am looking forward to a new opportunity/challenge.” It behooves you to avoid negativity. That old adage is true: You really never know who you’ll run into down the road. You may need a reference. Crazier things have happened. It will make you look better if you keep your mouth shut and don’t give in to saying how you may REALLY feel.
The Exit Interview
Don’t feel compelled to do one!!! I know, I know, you *should* go along, be polite and submit to one. If you choose to do so, it’s good to say that you’re simply leaving for a better opportunity. Bottom line, this is the reason that most people leave anyway. However, the way I see it is this: If I’m leaving because I’m miserable (and that would be me), why would I want to talk to HR now? If they didn’t want to listen to me when I needed them, why should I help them? Chances are, nothing will be done about any grievances since it would really be “a day late and a buck short”. Don’t bother.
2 Weeks’ Notice
You are not required to offer more notice than this (unless you are under some prior contractual agreement). Of course, this is up to you as well. If you’d like to extend your stay until say, a replacement is found, you can certainly volunteer it.
Again, these are just a few things to think about when you resign. I’ll get into some more of them tomorrow when “Resignation Week” continues.
I get all giddy when I think about leaving my job. I play out in my head all the possible scenarios of what it will be like when I finally leave. Since this is a hot-topic lately, I decided to add this to “Resignation Week” and discuss some things you need to be aware of before the final departure.
Purge
The first thing you do is purge all personal files that you may have on your desktop. I’d delete any/all non-work-related emails and even delete the cookies. The less you leave behind, the better. Come to think of it, you may want to do this before you submit your resignation. In the event that you are immediately escorted out of the building, you will lose any opportunity to “clean up”.
Free Escort Service
Not everyone has the pleasure of being escorted out of the building. If you work with proprietary information or go to work for a competitor, the company may be uncomfortable about you staying. Otherwise, you’ll most likely remain for the standard 2 weeks.
“It’s not you, it’s me”
Don’t feel bullied to cite your reasons for leaving or where you’re going. That should really be up to you and what you’re comfortable with. You should be able to get by with, “I’m sorry to be leaving the company but am looking forward to a new opportunity/challenge.” It behooves you to avoid negativity. That old adage is true: You really never know who you’ll run into down the road. You may need a reference. Crazier things have happened. It will make you look better if you keep your mouth shut and don’t give in to saying how you may REALLY feel.
The Exit Interview
Don’t feel compelled to do one!!! I know, I know, you *should* go along, be polite and submit to one. If you choose to do so, it’s good to say that you’re simply leaving for a better opportunity. Bottom line, this is the reason that most people leave anyway. However, the way I see it is this: If I’m leaving because I’m miserable (and that would be me), why would I want to talk to HR now? If they didn’t want to listen to me when I needed them, why should I help them? Chances are, nothing will be done about any grievances since it would really be “a day late and a buck short”. Don’t bother.
2 Weeks’ Notice
You are not required to offer more notice than this (unless you are under some prior contractual agreement). Of course, this is up to you as well. If you’d like to extend your stay until say, a replacement is found, you can certainly volunteer it.
Again, these are just a few things to think about when you resign. I’ll get into some more of them tomorrow when “Resignation Week” continues.
