Resigning from a job - best way?

route9

Hi folks,

I have been offered a role with a big pay increase which I have duly accepted I am planning to hand in my notice tomorrow to my manager who is based in the US (I work for a tech co). My plan is to send an email just saying I am resigning and I was thinking of mentioning that another company has made me an offer.

Just wondering do I or should I mention the offer? I have a good relationship with my manager so all good there. It would seem a bit strange to just say 'I am resigning' without giving a reason, right?

I have to send ID to the new company tomorrow to prove I can work in Ireland, they can't send the contract before then but they have made the offer and I accepted this morning

Crazyteacher

Email should be fine. Try to keep it light, I am writing to inform you that I have been accepted to a new position and am giving my x weeks notice fir resignation.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working in your organisation and thank you fir the opportunity you given me". Something like that. Congratulations by the way!

route9

Mr.S wrote: »

Do not hand in your notice until you have signed a contract, no matter how sure you are that it will happen.

How you hand in your notice is up to you, if you want to leave on good terms, generally you should do this in person (or in your case, a phone call) and you should give the reason - ie, you are accepting an offer with X company, this is step forward in pay, better role etc - they'll more then likely give you a counter offer so be prepared for that.

If you're sure you want to leave and won't accept a counter offer, just make that clear. I wouldn't just email saying your handing in your notice, that's a little odd and presumably you want to stay on the good side of the manager / company for future references.

Ask the manager / HR what your actual notice period is - most companies say 1-2 months, but Americans can be as low as 1-2 weeks - your contract will state the minimum but in reality this could be shorter as no need for you to be hanging around longer then you need to.

Thanks a lot! However, the company needs to do a background check first (standard), so I am guessing that will have to be done before I can sign a contract? Actually maybe not but either way it takes about a month for the background check and to get me set up on their systems. Maybe though I'll have the contract tomorrow..

Stheno

Mr.S wrote: »

It would depend on the company, everyone does it their own way - generally background checks (references, CV etc.) are all done after the offer is made / accepted and then if everything checks out, the contract is issued. A month is a little long, 1-2 weeks should be enough for them.

Just drop a note to the hiring manager / HR in the new company and mention you are only in a position to give notice to your current employer once contracts are signed. Unless they specifically said you need to start on X date with no exceptions, it won't be a problem - it's very standard.

You'd be mad not to, not trying to say the offer will fall through, it's just covering yourself.

The gotcha here is that the background check will include verifying the current job though

MySandwich

No need to mention the offer/company in your notice letter, just keep it simple and also say how much you enjoyed working there (doesn't have to be true ). Mention also when your last day will be, just so that it is recorded.

route9

Thanks guys! I guess I can ask the recruiter too tomorrow. What I would have always done is accept the offer then send a simple "I wish to send notice of resignation....leaving on x date".

I am guessing I will have the contract over email tomorrow, the background checks are a formality and the contract will likely talk about the offer being "subject to a successful background check".

Do people defo think I should wait to have it before handing in my notice yeah? Guess that does make sense, and I presume I will have the contract tomorrow.

And you wouldn't mention the new job to your current manager? I don't mind saying I am going to a new job and it'd prompt them to make a counter-offer potentially then? Although not saying that's going to happen either!

IronSteve

As stated above, do not hand in your notice without your new contract...that is the best advice you could be given.
You have no idea what the status of sign off on your new offer/contract is

route9

IronSteve wrote: »

As stated above, do not hand in your notice without your new contract...that is the best advice you could be given.
You have no idea what the status of sign off on your new offer/contract is

Yep agreed, the offer has been made over the phone but I do note there has been nothing on writing yet. Not that I am concerned but I'd like to see the contract before anything else happens!

I expect I will get it over email today, but if they say they have to do background checks first and I'll have the contract in a couple of weeks, I guess I will have to wait to resign. But I am hopeful I'll have a soft copy of the contract later..

skallywag

Agree with the advice not to do anything until you have a signed contract physically in your hands.

One comment though, you say you have a good relationship with your manager, so when the time comes why not give her/him a short call to tell them in person, and then follow it up afterwards with the required written resignation. I've had plenty of team members leave over the years, and I've always thought it a nice touch when done in person, rather than an email in my inbox or a letter on my desk.

You need to make no secret that you are off somewhere else, that will be obvious. If questioned about where you are going to (I would always ask this myself) you can easily bat it away by saying that you would rather not say right at this minute, this will be respected.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

route9

skallywag wrote: »

Agree with the advice not to do anything until you have a signed contract physically in your hands.

One comment though, you say you have a good relationship with your manager, so when the time comes why not give her/him a short call to tell them in person, and then follow it up afterwards with the required written resignation. I've had plenty of team members leave over the years, and I've always thought it a nice touch when done in person, rather than an email in my inbox or a letter on my desk.

You need to make no secret that you are off somewhere else, that will be obvious. If questioned about where you are going to (I would always ask this myself) you can easily bat it away by saying that you would rather not say right at this minute, this will be respected.

Thanks! Yes for sure, it would be crazy to hand in your notice without seeing the contract, or rather signing it and making sure they have it as mentioned above. I have also only told one friend at work that I plan to leave, so won't be saying it to anyone else (maybe apart from one other close friend when she is in next week).

Suppose anything could happen, I also negotiated a higher salary figure so I want to see that on the contract first!! Again not that I am doubting anything but still good to be covered

Oh yes definitely, that's a great idea. I have a regular call with him each week but just thinking I should arrange a call with him anyway, once I have signed. I'd also have no problem telling him or anyone else I am off to another job, unless there is a reason not to? I'll keep it positive though as regards my reasons why (the main one is €€€).

skallywag

route9 wrote: »

I'd also have no problem telling him or anyone else I am off to another job, unless there is a reason not to? I'll keep it positive though as regards my reasons why (the main one is €€€).

Once you have the signed contact in hand then there is no reason to keep it quiet. You can also feel quite open about naming the cash side of things as the primary reason for leaving. People can feel reluctant to do so as they feel it may paint them as being greedy etc, but any decent boss is going to fully accept that you cannot retain an employee who has received an offer which she or he can not possibly match.

All the best.

route9

skallywag wrote: »

Once you have the signed contact in hand then there is no reason to keep it quiet. You can also feel quite open about naming the cash side of things as the primary reason for leaving. People can feel reluctant to do so as they feel it may paint them as being greedy etc, but any decent boss is going to fully accept that you cannot retain an employee who has received an offer which she or he can not possibly match.

All the best.

Yep for sure, the role I am moving to is at the same level I am on now, but with a 20k pay difference

MySandwich

route9 wrote: »

Yep for sure, the role I am moving to is at the same level I am on now, but with a 20k pay difference

Happy days. Unlikely you'll get a counter offer, but no harm!

NRR

route9 wrote: »

Hi folks,

I have been offered a role with a big pay increase which I have duly accepted I am planning to hand in my notice tomorrow to my manager who is based in the US (I work for a tech co). My plan is to send an email just saying I am resigning and I was thinking of mentioning that another company has made me an offer.

Just wondering do I or should I mention the offer? I have a good relationship with my manager so all good there. It would seem a bit strange to just say 'I am resigning' without giving a reason, right?

I have to send ID to the new company tomorrow to prove I can work in Ireland, they can't send the contract before then but they have made the offer and I accepted this morning

I'd echo sentiments above that a quick call to your manager before sending in a formal resignation would be a better idea.

Managers might be initially upset/flustered, but typically (and especially in larger companies, as yours seems to be with its international spread) turnover is viewed as a natural part of business.

In terms of giving reasoning, I wouldn't bother with it unless asked. This is where a phone call can come in handy, you can explain that, while you've enjoyed working where you are (and in particular for your manager) etc etc, that a great opportunity came up that you couldn't pass up. When you submit the formal written notice, I would leave this off and instead keep it diplomatic - indicate your formal resignation date, and even throw in some pleasantries (i.e. regretting to inform them of such, having enjoyed working their, having appreciated their support through your time there, etc).

route9

draiochtanois wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Oh, no medical. Corporate desk job

route9

NRR wrote: »

I'd echo sentiments above that a quick call to your manager before sending in a formal resignation would be a better idea.

Managers might be initially upset/flustered, but typically (and especially in larger companies, as yours seems to be with its international spread) turnover is viewed as a natural part of business.

In terms of giving reasoning, I wouldn't bother with it unless asked. This is where a phone call can come in handy, you can explain that, while you've enjoyed working where you are (and in particular for your manager) etc etc, that a great opportunity came up that you couldn't pass up. When you submit the formal written notice, I would leave this off and instead keep it diplomatic - indicate your formal resignation date, and even throw in some pleasantries (i.e. regretting to inform them of such, having enjoyed working their, having appreciated their support through your time there, etc).

Thanks! Good tips there and it is going to be very interesting to see what he says!

ygolometsipe

I am in a similar position myself.

I am just wondering what happens if
you sign the new contract and then you get a really good counter offer or
you feel pressured into staying due to company size?

Is it not illegal to revoke a signed contract?

Thanks

Diziet

ygolometsipe wrote: »

I am in a similar position myself.

I am just wondering what happens if
you sign the new contract and then you get a really good counter offer or
you feel pressured into staying due to company size?

Is it not illegal to revoke a signed contract?

Thanks

Well, they cannot keep you by force; legal repercussions are not likely. But it's a silly think to do, if you think there may be a counter offer you need this discussion before you have officially signed the contract.

penelope winzelworth

agreed, i wouldn't hand in notice until you have actually signed contract just in case. the new role should understand that and should give you a timeline on the background check and sending contract because it is holding up your notice period.

route9

Thanks! Actually emailed the recruiter and he said I should have the paperwork tomorrow. It's been that long since I left one job for another - do you post contracts these days or sign and scan / upload them online?

Guess it depends but either way I'll be checking to confirm they have my signed copy first.