Quitting a Job in Style – King Camp Gillette was not born to be an employee who earns his wages by serving others. He always experimented with new ideas and tried patenting them; unfortunately, he did not meet with much success.
At 40 years of age, he was working as a salesman for Crown Cork & Seal Co, which was not something he desired for himself. Inspired by the idea of corks that were used and thrown away, Gillette came up with the idea of marketing disposable safety razors for men. It is said that it was his boss who advised him to create something that people could use and throw away.
Though there were several versions of his idea in the market at that time, he quit his job and relentlessly worked to get his idea accepted. He first approached the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consulting their metallurgists to check out the possibility of creating a small piece of steel that would hold its sharp edge from plastic case so that it can be affordable to throw away. He faced rejection of his idea by those great minds who said it was impossible to create anything out of steel that is disposable.
Finally, he found a person who believed in his idea and was willing to partner with him. The man was William Nickerson who worked with Gillette for 5 more years until they succeeded in creating the perfect disposable safety razor. It was not until he was 48, did Gillette start selling his razors for profit. The rest is history.
Millions of people walk out of their home every day, to be a part of the rat race called employment by corporates to earn their livelihood. Some stick to their jobs because they love what they are doing, whereas others struggle with their jobs because they have bills to pay.
They may have ideas and dreams of making it big in the world like Gillette did. But how many of us will have the strength, courage, and willpower to actually for quitting a job to pursue our ideas or dreams which we don’t even know will be successful?
More often we stay on stable ground, looking forward to the salary we get each month to make both ends meet. Even when we see greener pastures and quitting a job, we do it on sour note, leaving behind a bitter taste in the mouth.
Remember your excitement when you heard that there was an opening in a company you wished to join? The celebration of getting the right job, and earning your first salary? But, somehow down the line, you realize that this is not what you want. Not many people have a choice of taking up a job, not for money or status but just because it adds meaning to their lives. Often people realize sometime during their term that there is something better they can do than their present employment.
You decide for quitting a job in style to pursue a different career or a business option. You have every right to do what you feel is right for you, but you don’t have to quit like a loser. People can quit jobs in style, maintain a good rapport with the company they previously worked for and not kick the ladder they used to climb up when they are leaving.
Let us assess ways and methods of quitting a job in style.
Evaluate your decision of quitting a job
Most often, employees quit their jobs in a fit of anger or when they have an argument with their superiors. Do not give in to your emotions, because, finally it will be your loss. When you are quitting a job in anger, you may never get good recommendations or referrals from your previous employers. Moreover, you may not get something as good as you have now.
In no time you will be replaced by another employee, making no difference to the company, unless you are very skilled or talented person. If you are in a job, the bitter truth is that you need your company more than the company needs you. This does not mean you have to put up with everything thrown at you by your employers. No, not at all. All you have to is, keep cool, evaluate the situation when your emotions are stable, and make your decision.
If you feel that there is no point continuing with the organization since you do not fit into their team, there is no future in pursuing this career or it does not recognize your skills, take the further step of resigning from your post in a calm way rather than storming out in anger. Just ensure that your reasons are valid and beneficial for you.
Consider your options
Once you have decided to quit your present job, consider all the options ahead of you and how much you can depend on them. Many companies offer you a better salary, but once you land there you will find that the overload of work makes it not worth the money.
Check out the travel options, stay facilities, incentives, and other issues that may affect your personal life. Have a background check for the new company you consider joining before you announce your decision to everyone around you. Consider the effect your resignation will have on your family, especially if you are the sole breadwinner for them. Make your final decision after consulting your family and friends.
If you share a good relationship with your boss, you can discuss your decision and take his/her opinion as well. At times, people in top positions will have inside knowledge of other companies.
Inform In Advance
You do not expect your employer to fire you out of the blue one fine day, do you? In the same way, your employers do not expect you for quitting a job one fine day. Follow the simple rule of informing your employers in advance that you are quitting with your valid reason for the decision. Do not make false accusations or play the blame game. Follow the structured procedure you have signed up for when you took up the appointment letter for the job.
Never discuss your decision with others, even if they are your closest friends or confidantes, before informing your boss. Even closest friends may get touched by the green monster when you announce you are getting a far better deal than they have. There is the risk of people disclosing the information unintentionally through slip of tongue as well.
Finish your deadlines, incomplete projects or whatever task that may be difficult for others to pick up from where you left. With some extra hours and good work thrown in, you may even end up with a good recommendation letter from your boss.
Plan your words
Make a plan about how you would like to inform your boss about your decision of quitting a job. Choose the right words and stick to them. Be prepared for your boss to take it lightly or insult you during the talk. Naturally, he/she feels let down and vents out anger in different ways. There are chances that you may get so lucky that they understand and support you unconditionally.
No matter how your boss responds, keep calm and do not deviate from what you intend to say. Emphasize your positive experience in the workplace and the benefits you got in your tenure with them. When you are moving away, there is no point in discussing what went wrong.
Breathe and keep calm. Though it is often believed that your first impression is very important, the last impression you leave on a person matters more. They often remember you by the way you bid goodbye. So make a good impression on the employers when you resign.
Put it out on paper
Never inform your employers about your decision of quitting a job through word of mouth and depend on it. Write down a proper resignation letter with the date you wish to quit. Keep things negotiable, so that your employers will not feel betrayed. If there is an important project they want you to complete before you are quitting a job, say yes unless it is going to have a negative impact on your future.
Be specific, clear, and simple when you write your letter. Do not take this as an opportunity to voice your complaints.
You can skip information like why you are quitting a job or where you plan to take up your new job in your letter. This information can be discussed in person, which is better than putting it out in writing.
Make cards
Do not forget your co-workers and colleagues who have been there for you on those rough days where you were unable to pull through on your own.
Make cards for them, personalizing with your handwriting how much their support meant for you. Those little magic words ‘I will miss you’ set right many wrong things done in the past. Do not miss out on those helpers who do their tasks endlessly for a tiny pay and are not appreciated or recognized often by companies.
For those who have not been such good colleagues, sort out your differences and shake hands as you bid goodbye to them. The thought that you don’t have to see them every day hereafter will make the task easy for you.
Thank your seniors for the experience and guidance they have provided you in your career. Think of some exceptional qualities that make them stand out in a group so that you sound genuine in your talk. Make everyone feel that they had a special place in your heart.
Handover in a dignified manner
After you serve the term you signed up for in the appointment letter or which is present in your company handbook, get ready for the next step of handing over your designation to someone who is stepping into your shoes.
Hand over to your successor all the important data, contacts, files and other information that would make the transition easier for him/her. Finish some outstanding tasks that may be tough to hand over to someone else while providing proper guidance to complete the unfinished work you are passing on. Inform your boss about the handover you have completed so that your successor will not blame you in future for his/her own incompetence. Ask your boss if there is something you should do before quitting a job. That makes a very good impression.
Do not hold back anything with the intention of teaching your employers a lesson or making them feel your absence. Move beyond the high-school drama and act like a responsible adult. Be a team player who everyone will appreciate.
Clean your desk. Collect all your personal things you may have gathered there over time. Walk away with beautiful memories and experienced gained in the company, leaving behind negative issues.
Make Settlements
Now comes the final part of settling your outstanding salary, bonus or commissions. Do not drive a hard bargain but settle down for a good negotiation if you end up with differences.
Check out how to settle your entitlements like holiday allowances, medical insurance, loan sanctioned and other financial issues.
If your company has arranged an interview for you with the HR, provide honest feedback.
Never take anything from the office that does not belong to you. More than others knowing about it, you will lose your own self-respect.
Throw a party
If you have been in the company for quite some time, you must throw in a farewell party for all your friends. So far you have shared a professional relationship with them; now that you are quitting a job in style, you can open up and be friendlier with them. Make your party full of fun so that it will be a memorable way to remember you for your co-workers. Make sure you communicate how much you appreciate them. Exchange address, contact details to keep in touch with them.
Always end your professional relationship on a positive note. Since you are in the same field, you may run across each other in future. Also, it is better to mend bridges than burning them down, since you never know when you have to cross them again.
If your colleagues are throwing a farewell party to you, well, it is a win-win situation for you. Just enjoy!
With everything settled down, you are ready for quitting a job with dignity, in your own inimitable style. Walk out of your office with your head held high to reach out and grab your dreams….
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