How To Resign Gracefully

Resigning from a job, especially one you've had for a while, is a hard process and can be emotionally draining. Sometimes, you just want to get it over with. But at the same time, it is crucial -- especially if you want a reference or a good relationship with your soon-to-be-ex-employer -- that you do it professionally and while causing as little harm to your employer as possible.

With that in mind, here are 6 tips to resigning.

At least 2 weeks notice, unless your contract says otherwise.

When you resign, you don't want to be the person that makes it hard for the company. Don't resign during the middle of the Christmas rush (See tip 3), for instance. The other thing that you should never do is not resign, and just never come back in.

When you do resign, you should always give at least two weeks notice, unless your contract says you have to give more notice, in which case, give that notice!

Don't put your employer - and their workers, clients and customers -- in a spot when you don't have to.

Put it in print

You should always put your resignation letter in print. There are 2 reasons for this:

a. This way, you and they always know exactly what was said and there is proof of it. If you had a professional letter but they said you didn't, you only have proof of it if the letter is in print (and you have a copy)

b. Clears up any misunderstanding. Misunderstanding can happen anytime and anyplace, but when you put in black and white (or colour) on a letter, it means that misunderstandings will be rarer, and if they do come up, can be easily solved.

Politely and don't burn bridges

Don't burn bridges. Don't resign in a company's most critical moment, and always be polite when you do leave. Don't come in Black Friday, moments before your shift and say "Cianara." That's not professional, and guarantees that you will not get a reference.

In person, in person, in person!

Always resign in person. Yes, it's easier over an email, text message or phone call, but again, it leaves a record and it shows a lot of professionalism.

Plus, then the company can get a better understanding of why you're leaving and the manager can accept your letter in person.

Work til your work is done

Work until you are done. Once you give your 2 (or whatever else it is) weeks notice, then actually work the next 2 weeks. If you don't, (a) what's the purpose of the 2 weeks; and (b) it's still not professional.

Of course, if the company want's you to leave immediately, by all means, go ahead. It's in their court then, and they may have to pay you some sort of monetary compensation.

Don't spread rumors and tell the boss first

The first person you tell about your resignation should always be your boss. Not your best friend. Not your co-workers. Not another manager. Your manager. This way, they can deal with the information and chose how to disseminate it.

Hopefully, with these tips in mind, you can go out and resign properly and with as much professionalism and dignity as possible.