How to Quit a Job – Examples and Tips

Pursuing a dream, handling a family crisis, or seizing a superior job opportunity—no matter the reason you’ve decided you’re leaving your job. Now, you’re faced with the challenge of breaking the news of your resignation to your boss.

But contrary to popular belief, quitting doesn’t necessarily mean burning bridges.

Actually, it can be an opportunity to expand your network and open the door to future prospects.

However, deciding to quit involves much more than just updating your resume. In the following sections, we’ll explore how you can exit your job gracefully, including examples and advice to leave a positive and lasting impression.

When to Quit Your Job

In February 2023 alone, 4 million Americans chose to resign from their jobs, so if you’re contemplating leaving your current position, you’re certainly not the only one.

However, before you go ahead, you should ask yourself:,

• “What are my reasons for quitting?”
• “Are there any better options?”
• “If things are bad at my current workplace, have I attempted to better the situation?

Resigning impulsively or out of frustration may result in regret and monetary issues. When prospective employers inquire, “Why did you leave your previous job?” it’s crucial to provide a response that portrays you positively and professionally.

Keep reading for some useful advice on quitting your job.

Identifying the Reasons for Leaving

There are many valid reasons to quit a job. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Health reasons
• Excessive stress or anxiety
• Family responsibilities
• An enticing job offer
• Pursuing further education
• Relocating to a new area
• Starting a business
• New career goals
• Taking a sabbatical
• A career change the current employer cannot provide

Generally, these examples of quitting a job are viewed positively. While some ways to resign are better than others, referring to these is unlikely to provoke any negative response.

Just make sure you evaluate your personal situation carefully. With a little proper planning, you can prevent creating a gap in employment and income.

If you haven’t updated your resume yet, it is now the perfect time to do so! Take advantage of our online resume builder. It is full of easy-to-use templates and guidance that will save you time and nerves.

Factors to Consider Before Quitting Your Job

Before deciding to quit your job, it’s crucial to carefully weigh the reasons to ensure it’s the right move for you.

When assessing your decision, take into account the following aspects regarding your potential to improve your situation and your happiness at work:

• Work-Life balance: Reflect on whether your job allows you to maintain a healthy balance between your professional and personal life. If you find that work is consuming too much of your time or energy, leaving the job might lead to a more balanced lifestyle.
• Financial stability: Evaluate if resigning from your current position will substantially affect your finances. Ensure you have sufficient savings or a new job lined up to maintain financial security.
• Workplace environment: Evaluate the culture and environment in your current workplace. If you’re facing a toxic or unsupportive environment, leaving the job could lead to better mental health and improved job satisfaction.
• Future prospects: Reflect on your long-term career goals in your current job and industry. If you foresee limited growth potential or job security, exploring other opportunities may be a wise decision.

Upon examining your current work situation, you’ll be better prepared to determine if resigning from your job is the most suitable decision for your situation.

This evaluation process will also help you prepare for any challenges or changes that might arise from leaving your current position.

Keep reading to learn how to quit your job without burning any bridges.

How to Professionally Quit a Job

What is the best way to quit a job? You should do so with grace, respect, and professionalism.

Employ the following tips to help you do just that.

How to Tell Your Boss You’re Leaving

It’s essential to communicate your intentions to your supervisor professionally and respectfully to leave a good impression behind.

Take a look at the step-by-step guide below on how to discuss your resignation with your boss:

1. Request a meeting: Reach out to your boss to schedule a private meeting or conversation to discuss your resignation.
2. Prepare for the conversation: Put together a script to quit that covers your reasons for leaving and how you plan to handle the transition. This will help you stay focused and present your case.
3. Show gratitude: Express your appreciation for the opportunities and experiences you’ve had. Thank your boss for their guidance and support.
4. Present your resignation letter: Hand over a written resignation letter to your boss. This serves as a record of your intention to leave the company.
5. Discuss the transition process: Offer your assistance in training a replacement or completing any outstanding tasks.
6. Address any concerns or questions: Be prepared to answer any questions. Maintain an open and respectful dialogue throughout the conversation.

TIP💡: Keep the conversation confidential. Avoid discussing your plans with colleagues. This demonstrates professionalism and respect for the company’s internal processes.

By approaching the resignation discussion with professionalism and courtesy, you can maintain a positive relationship with your boss, which may prove beneficial for future networking opportunities or references.

Use This Script to Quit Your Job

Before approaching your boss, think through what you would like to say. Plan responses to questions you anticipate them asking. Check out this sample conversation for ideas and inspiration.

If you’re still feeling nervous, remember that “I quit” talks happen all the time. Just take a deep breath and repeat: “This is a totally normal part of the working world”.

Politely Decline Counteroffers

When you decide to leave a job and your employer presents a counteroffer, it can be challenging to maintain professionalism and grace while sticking to your decision.

Keep in mind that the employer may not be acting in good faith. They may just want you on board because of their own ulterior motives–for example, they might need someone with your skill set or experience for another project down the road.

Here are some steps to help you politely decline counteroffers:

• Prepare in advance: Before discussing your resignation with your employer, anticipate the possibility of a counteroffer and prepare a response. This will help you remain composed and articulate your reasons clearly.
• Express gratitude: Begin by thanking your employer for the counteroffer, acknowledging that it demonstrates their appreciation for your work and commitment to the company. This sets a respectful and positive tone for the conversation.
• Reiterate your decision: Politely reaffirm your decision to leave the company, explaining that your choice is based on careful consideration of your career goals, personal needs, or other relevant factors. This will help your employer understand that your decision is well-thought-out and not merely a response to a better financial offer.

Avoid getting into the specifics of the new opportunity or directly comparing it to your current role. Instead, focus on the broader reasons for your departure, such as seeking new challenges, personal growth, or a change in direction.

How to write a Resignation Letter

You should hand in a letter of resignation after speaking with your boss. When you write a resignation letter, you have time to think about what you are going to say and choose your words carefully.

Re-read your letter out loud and remove anything that might be taken the wrong way.

Make sure your letter follows the advice below:

• Address your boss by name.
• Clearly state that you are resigning.
• Give the date of your expected last day at work.
• Express gratitude; say something positive.
• Offer to help ease the transition.

Here’s an example you can use as a guide to write your own resignation letter:

Notice that this letter is short and to the point. Since you have discussed your resignation personally with your boss, there is no need to go into your reasons for quitting here.

How to Quit a Job Over Email

Speaking with your boss face-to-face is always the ideal way of quitting. However, in some instances, resigning in person might not be possible.

Under these circumstances, submitting your resignation through email is an appropriate alternative.

Follow this brief guideline if that’s your case:

• Use a clear subject line: Make sure your email is easily identifiable by including a straightforward subject line, such as “Resignation: [Your Name].”
• Address the email to your manager: Begin the email with a professional salutation, addressing your manager by their full name or title (e.g., “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Manager’s Last Name]”).
• State your intention to resign: Clearly express your intention to resign from your position, and specify your last working day based on your company’s notice period policy or contractual requirements.
• Provide a reason for your resignation: Briefly explain your reason for leaving the company, while maintaining a professional and respectful tone.
• Express gratitude: Thank your manager for the opportunities and experiences you’ve had while working at the company. Acknowledge the support and guidance they have provided during your tenure.
• Offer assistance during the transition: Indicate your willingness to help with the transition process, such as training a replacement or completing any outstanding projects.
• Close the email professionally: End the email with a courteous closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your full name.

Take a look at this example for further reference:

How to Quit a Job Over the Phone

Quitting your job over the phone may be necessary under certain circumstances, especially if you work remotely or your manager is not located in the same city or country as you.

Schedule a private call with your manager and be prepared. During the call, state your intention to resign, provide a reason for your resignation, and express gratitude for the opportunities and experiences you’ve had.

It would also be a good idea to use a well-prepared script when resigning over the phone.

Offer assistance during the transition and end the conversation with a courteous closing.

The following is a sample script for your reference:

Follow up with a written confirmation after the call. You can do so with an email or by mailing out a letter. Simply refer to the last sections of this post if you need help with writing the letter or email.

Look for “Loose Ends”

You’re excited to leave your old job and move on to the new one. But there may be “nuts and bolts” or “loose ends” that you didn’t even think of. For example:

• Return company property (computers, tablets, phones, etc.) before leaving your job.
• Look up HR’s policies on vacation days, medical insurance, 401ks, etc. For example, you might need to use up your vacation days before you quit. Or, you may need to purchase health insurance to fill the gap until your new job’s benefits kick in.
• Pick up your last paycheck, and make sure it is the last. Some companies pay several weeks after the work is completed.

How Not to Quit a Job

To illustrate how not to quit your job, think of the example of a renter and a landlord. Sometimes, tenants leave their rental property feeling dissatisfied, perhaps because they feel that they were treated unfairly.

Such tenants might damage the property in an attempt to express their anger or take revenge on the landlord.

Something similar can happen when an employee is dissatisfied with his job. They might want to make a scene, express their negative feelings, or cause the employer some expense, embarrassment, or discomfort.

Sure, it looks good in the movies – employees yelling, throwing things, or talking bad about their bosses make for dramatic scenes. But it is not wise to behave this way in real life. Why not?

It Can Affect Your Relationship With Your New Employer

Resigning from a position unprofessionally can have long-lasting consequences, particularly when it comes to your relationship with a new employer.

Word of mouth can spread quickly in professional circles. If you leave a job on bad terms, your former colleagues and supervisors may share this information with others, which can tarnish your reputation in the industry.

If your new employer becomes aware of your unprofessional departure from a previous job, they may question your commitment and trustworthiness, and your new coworkers may be hesitant to collaborate with you. This can lead to your not getting the job.

Avoid saying negative things:

• To your boss
• To your coworkers
• On social media
• To your new employer
• To your new coworkers

Consider Your Finances Before Quitting

Before you quit your job, it’s important to consider your finances. You don’t want to leave without a safety net in place or find yourself in financial trouble after leaving.

• Assess your savings: If you have money saved up from previous jobs or other sources, this can help cushion the blow of losing income as well as provide some financial flexibility if things don’t work out at first (e.g., if there are delays when starting a new business).
• Create a budget: Having an idea of how much money is coming into versus going out each month will help ensure that any unexpected expenses won’t cause undue stress on top of everything else going on during this time period.

Assessing your savings and creating a budget will also help you identify areas where additional income could be generated through side hustles like freelance gigs or selling items online.

Don’t Burn Your Bridges – Networking Is a Better Option

Today, networking is more important than ever before. Your former boss and other contacts at the company can represent a valuable part of your professional network.

And, while you might swear it could never happen, what if your new job doesn’t work out? What if you need to seek your old position once again? If you’ve metaphorically burned your bridges through disrespectful behavior, your old boss won’t want you back. If you nurtured a cordial relationship despite quitting, you may have something to go back to.

Another scenario is that you require references for a future position. You want to be able to count on your former employers to relate good experiences, not negative ones.

How to Expand Your Network Before Leaving

Lastly, think about crafting a thoughtful goodbye email to your coworkers. It conveys respect and appreciation, and also provides a beneficial networking opportunity.

Keep the note short. Don’t use a group address – email each one individually. Say something positive about your coworker, and that you’d like to stay in touch. Include your contact information. Avoid mentioning your plans or your new job.

Boasting about your new position may come across as disrespectful, insensitive, and arrogant, especially to coworkers who may be struggling with their own career progress. This can strain your relationships and create an uncomfortable work environment during your last days.

Your goodbye email might read something like this:

You might also think about requesting references from esteemed or senior colleagues at your workplace. This is especially valuable if you cannot acquire a reference directly from your boss.

Quitting: Key Learnings

Approach the situation thoughtfully and strategically. Leave your emotions parked aside and weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of quitting.

Throughout the process, maintain a courteous demeanor and follow the guidelines stated in your employment contract and this post.

Let’s recap:

• Examine the pros and cons: Ensure you have a solid reason for quitting.
• Secure new employment before resigning: To avoid a stressful period of unemployment and job searches.
• Talk to your boss first: As the person you report to, it is a matter of courtesy letting your boss know first you’re leaving.
• Resign in person: If you work remotely and have no in-person contact, you may do so over the phone or by email.
• Be polite: Don’t disrespect the company or anyone in it, regardless of any negative experiences you may have had.
• Ask for a reference: Having one from a previous employer will help in any new employment search you undertake.
• Expand your network: Use the chance to stay in touch. You never know what opportunities may arrive in the future.

Adopting a professional tone when resigning from a job will not only make the process smoother but also pave the way for future opportunities and lasting relationships.

Good luck with your transition!