Undertrained? How to Take Charge of Your Professional Growth
November 14, 2024
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Quitting a job can bring a tide of conflicting feelings to people. Some might feel that the change is good and they’re eager (too eager if you’re not careful!) to leave everything behind, others might miss their coworkers and feel some grief over moving forward. All reactions are valid, but there’s a fine line to walk when it comes to professionalism.
Writing a two weeks’ notice is not something that is federally demanded, but it is considered a professional nicety that can make your resignation look bad if omitted. And then there’s the question of whether you should submit a notice or a resignation letter.
All we’re saying is that there’s a myriad of ways to quit your job, and you should know which is the best one for your situation, considering all you know about your current employer–but what is the consensus amongst other career advice blogs? Keep reading to find out how to leave in a high and friendly way.
Why give a two weeks’ notice? There’s a line of thought on the internet that might make people think that a two weeks’ notice is a common courtesy of the past. After all, as Betterteam’s article points out, no federal or state laws make it a must, but leaving without saying anything can harm your references or even relinquish certain benefits you had if that’s stated in your contract.
“If you are leaving your current job to pursue a career elsewhere, you will want to leave on the best terms possible.”
Betterteam
When it comes to your career, you must act boldly and benefit from every opportunity you have at your disposal. Still, you shouldn’t be rash and burn bridges that could lead to better opportunities down the road. Using a two weeks’ notice can help you transition from one job to the next while maintaining a sense of professionalism.
Now, there are many two-week notice templates around the internet, so you might wonder which is best for you. It obviously depends on your situation, as Alison Doyle says in her article on resignation letters.
“Your employer does not have to accept your two weeks’ notice (unless it’s in your contract) and can end your employment immediately. Therefore, be prepared to leave your job as soon as you give notice.”
The Balance Money
One thing you should know, even before you begin drafting your letter, is the conditions of your union or contract. If your employer doesn’t accept your notice, it can leave you without a job before you’re ready. What Doyle recommends is for you to have everything ready before you announce any move, so you’re not caught off guard if an early exit is required.
She also recommends talking to your boss first. Then drafting the resignation letter and delivering it through the right channels. Afterward, you should prepare a transition plan and be professional throughout your exit. Lastly, you should remember to keep in touch with your coworkers and remain a professional acquaintance with the rest of the corporation, you never know when you could cross paths again.
Sometimes, the timing isn’t right when you’re quitting your job. It might not even be your timing; your old job might be in the middle of a big project or a rough patch that might get tougher to work on with fewer hands on deck, or maybe your new job needs more people NOW. It’s not your fault, but there are ways to leave gracefully, even when your exit is effective immediately.
“You might be in a situation where you can only give a brief or last-minute notice. Or, you might be able to provide a longer notice. Whatever your timing is, it’s important to communicate your resignation both verbally and in writing.”
ZipRecruiter
According to the ZipRecruiter Editors, you should always submit a two weeks’ notice or a resignation letter. But you should first talk to your supervisor to avoid blindsiding them and leaving your team with a sour taste in their mouth.
You don’t have to over explain, though. You don’t need to go into detail about your reason for leaving the job if you don’t want to, but if you feel like it, provide some short bullet points you can use on your notice, such as a job or career change, personal reasons, and career advancement.
To help have the smoothest transition, they recommend expressing thanks in your letter, and having a recap about the good things you experienced while working there.
The days of staying with a company for a long time seem to be over. In fact, the Muse Editors point out in their article that even baby boomers had an average of 12 jobs by age 54. So, the smartest thing to do is to have a strategy on how to quit to move upward.
“Hopefully most departures from one job to the next will be on your own terms. But leaving a job gracefully can be just as important to your career as making a good impression on your first day.”
The Muse
Now, they lay out a full-fledged plan to leave on a high note, but the main points are pretty simple. First, check your contract and inform your boss about your intention to leave. Then, plan how to transition into the different roles, having an end date in mind and clear steps for everyone to ease into the change. The main point is to have a strategy for leaving that minimizes fallout and maximizes your professional standing with your company.
A two weeks’ notice is a way to be professional, and even if it’s not a necessity, it’s better to have it rather than not and regret it. Still, it can be a case scenario where you should weigh your options carefully and only speak up about your decision to leave once you’re fully ready to commit to it.
If you’re considering moving on from your current job or have already made up your mind, you might want to keep some templates in your back pocket for when you’re ready to part ways.
Contributed by Ana Martinez
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