6 Tips for Handing in your Notice

Congratulations!  You’ve got through the interview process, and you have a job offer sitting in your email inbox.  Everything looks good, the new job is exciting, it’s right for you and your career.  But now you have to hand in your notice to your current employer.  You know they probably won’t be expecting this, and it will come as a blow to them.  It’s not going to be an enjoyable conversation and these meetings can often be nerve-wracking.  Here are some useful tips to help with the process and to enable a smooth transition to your new role.

1. Review your offer. Make sure you are happy with the terms and that they match what was discussed during the interview process.  Be sure in your mind this is the right move for you, your new role gives you what you are looking for and it addresses the reasons you started to look for a new job in the first place.
2. Review your current employment contract and ensure you know the terms of your notice period.
3. Write your formal resignation letter in advance. Keep this simple, professional and positive.  It should state your intent to leave and what your last working day will be.  Also express your gratitude for the experience gained during your tenure.
4. Request a meeting with your line manager, ideally in person. Explain you have been offered a new job that you have accepted, and you wish to resign.  During this meeting, present your resignation letter.  Your letter makes your decision official and means if your employer tries to drag out the process, your notice period begins from that first meeting.  Remain professional during the meeting but resolute.  Communicate the reason you are leaving respectfully and provide context.
5. Your resignation will be inconvenient to your employer but you can help mitigate against this, and in turn make your departure easier for them to accept. Reassure your manager that you will continue to work with the same level of diligence up until your last day.  Also express a willingness to produce a comprehensive handover document or assist in training and knowledge sharing with whoever will be taking over your duties.
6. Be prepared to receive a counteroffer. Losing staff is problematic, disruptive and expensive.  Your line manager may also be worried this will reflect badly on them.  Your current employer may offer you a pay rise in order to keep you but ask yourself, why has it taken your resignation to receive this pay increase and what are the true motivations behind the last-minute gesture?  Are you being offered more because you’re genuinely appreciated?  Possibly not.  This is a short-term fix by your employer.  Remind yourself of all the reasons that led to you looking for a new job which are generally more than just money.  If you decide to stay, those reasons other than money will still exist.  Research has shown that employees who accept counteroffers often end up leaving their employer within a year or two, even with the increased compensation.  This suggests that the root issues weren’t truly resolved, and the original decision to leave was likely the right one.  Furthermore, your loyalty will now be in question and could result in you being overlooked for future opportunities with your current employer.