21 out of Top 200 Business schools in the world are in the UK. The UK is home to 27 of the 70 Business schools in Europe featured in the QS Global 200 Business Schools Reports 2020. The UK offers excellent job opportunities for talented persons all over the world. So, while you are leaving your job in such a prestigious work environment you should be as responsible as you were at the time of getting that job. The decision of resigning a job often happens for a variety of reasons, depending on the person and situation.
Whatever your reason for leaving a job, there is a right way and a wrong way to resign. Leaving with the right level of grace and decorum not only speaks volumes about your character, it also shows potential employers that you are able to handle sensitive situations professionally. When you are writing a Resignation Letter, it can be tempting to include all your thoughts and feelings about your job, which can make you seem unprofessional.
Resignation letter offers a clean break, both for you and the company. In addition, you can keep it for your records, and the company can keep it for theirs. Writing a rationale, clean letter of resignation will help smooth any ruffled feathers, as well as offer closure.
If you are thinking of moving on, and don’t really know how to resign, don’t panic. To help you prepare for writing a letter of resignation, here are some basic Do’s and Don’ts to follow while resigning from a company in the UK: –
DO: Give Notice That You Are Leaving
Although there are probably no actual laws in your state requiring that you tell your employer you are leaving your job since most states have adopted at-will employment standards, it is good practice to give notice anyway. You should include your notice time frame in your resignation letter. Typically, people give their employer two weeks’ notice that they are quitting their job. However, the number of notices that you need to give may vary depending on the terms set out in your Employment Contract.
DO: Give Your Resignation Notice To Your Manager
Best practice for handing in your Resignation Letter is to give it directly to your manager or supervisor, in person. If this is not possible, for e.g.: if you work remotely or your manager is away, it might be appropriate to send your resignation via email or even letter mail. The way you choose to submit your resignation will likely depend on how quickly you want your notice to be received.
DO: List the position you are resigning from and the company’s name.
This is a letter that will be kept as a record, so you want to clearly state your function at the time of your resignation. Something like, “Please accept this letter as formal notice that I will be resigning from my position as _____________ with _____________”. This sort of phrasing works well at the beginning because it is clear and concise.
DO: Thank the company for the opportunities offered to you
Again, even if you feel angry or upset, chances are you learned some skills in the position that will help you in the future. You applied for that position at some point in the past, so at some point you thought it was a good idea. On the flip side, if you feel positively towards the company, mention your good feelings. Thank them for the opportunity, explain a few things you learned in the position, and move forward.
DO: Leave a Good Last impression
Explain that you will wrap up your duties as best you can, and offer to train team members.
DO: Show Courtesy to Seniors
You should set up a meeting with your supervisor to explain the reason for your departure and when you will be formally leaving. This is good practice, as it allows you to give any measured criticism about the position and thank your direct supervisor in person for the opportunities you were given. This also allows them a period of adjustment prior to your departure.
DO: Follow Letter Format
Although every situation will be different, getting your resignation letter format right should always follow a few simple rules. Aside from being a typed document, it should also follow the conventions of a standard letter, include clear paragraphs to outline each point, be addressed to the correct person, and show the date.
DON’T : Explain Too Much
Need not to list all the reasons you are leaving. Especially if your feelings towards the company are less than congenial, don’t feel compelled to tell the organization why you have decided to leave. You are under no obligation to do so. Additionally, if you want to use the company as a reference in the future, it’s best to leave on good terms.
DON’T: Make Any Promise
There is no need to promise to do anything you can’t follow through on. Just make sure they know that you will continue to put forth your best effort until the conclusion of your duties.
DON’T: Don’t Let Your Emotions Control You
Control your feelings. Don’t get overly emotional. If you had a good time at the company, feel free to include your appreciation for them. But if you had a bad time, don’t allow your emotions to get the best of you. The business world is extremely interconnected, and you never know who you will need a reference from in the future. Be calm, be professional, and be rational.
DON’T: Give Your Resignation Notice By Text or Social Media
It’s not typically appropriate to give your notice through text message or social media. They are considered informal forms of communication and can contribute to making the message seem more negative and unprofessional to the recipient. If your firm is small, try to give resignation letter in person. If not, frame a proper resignation email.
CONCLUSION
If your relationship with your previous employer deteriorated by the end of your time at the company, you might be tempted to be blunt when handing your notice. But approach with caution because the future is a great way to show you are able to be gracious and polite no matter what the circumstances. Aside from being a formality at the end of any job, your resignation letter is also a great way to tie up any loose ends which will make your exit from the business as stress free as possible.
