| Maybe when you were ringing in 2006, you silently | | | | justified in jumping ship. This letter simply states that |
| hoped that at the same time next year you would be | | | | you have enjoyed working there, that you have |
| toasting your success in a new job. You fantasized | | | | learned a lot from the experience, met some truly |
| about how good it would feel to go to a job that you | | | | quality people, but you feel that the time has come for |
| liked, a job where you had career promise and did | | | | you to move on. Feel free to plagiarize large parts of |
| interesting, challenging work. You thought about what a | | | | that last sentence if you feel that you can't choke out |
| pleasure it would be to go to work at the end of the | | | | something civil. You should also state what you expect |
| holiday versus trying to contract some "inconvenient" | | | | your last day to be, what your unused, accrued |
| stomach flu that would let you prolong the holidays a | | | | vacation balance is (if you know it), and that you would |
| bit. | | | | like to be compensated for those days. If you would |
| Read it here, read it now: Your destiny is up to you. If | | | | like them to extend your health benefits for a few |
| you want a new job, then search and network for a | | | | months through the COBRA program, then mention |
| new job. You need to treat finding a new job like it's a | | | | that too. |
| job, or it will be incredibly difficult to make significant | | | | For those who may not know, COBRA is a program |
| progress in a short period of time. | | | | under which you can ask to be included in the same |
| With that said, this newsletter is about correctly giving | | | | group health insurance rate until your new employers' |
| your notice to your current employer. I'm sure it's | | | | coverage kicks in (typically a 90-day waiting period). |
| something each and every one of you who are | | | | You will be paying for this insurance yourself, but it's |
| reading this has dreamed about at one time or another. | | | | better than not having any coverage and needing it. |
| As satisfying as it would be to just tell them to "Get | | | | If there are any other outstanding issues, consider if |
| Lost!", you need to maintain a high level of | | | | they are things that you want to commit to in writing. |
| professionalism throughout. Don't assume that you'll | | | | There isn't a real guideline for what to include in a |
| never see these people again. Unless you are planning | | | | resignation letter, but typically the briefer the better. |
| on relocating to a space station, assume that either | | | | You don't want to put anything in writing that you'll end |
| you will run into someone from the company again, or | | | | up regretting committing to later. The purpose of the |
| that you will end up meeting (and possibly interviewing | | | | letter is to tell your soon-to-be-former employer that |
| with down the road) someone who knows someone | | | | you won't be there anymore starting on a certain date, |
| at your current employer. This world is too small to | | | | and that it's been a great ride. You can mention health |
| burn any bridges. | | | | coverage if you want to (or simply state that you |
| After you have accepted an offer from your new | | | | would like more information about COBRA), but if you |
| company, (and yes, it's better to get an offer letter in | | | | are not sure when your new coverage kicks in you |
| writing), look at your calendar. Most employers ask that | | | | don't even have to mention it. Your HR or Finance |
| you give them two weeks' notice before walking out | | | | director can talk to about it before you leave. You can |
| the door for good. If you have any unused accrued | | | | raise the issue about unused, accrued vacation in your |
| vacation, don't plan on including that as part of your | | | | letter and state that you expect to be compensated |
| two weeks. No matter how heinous the company has | | | | for the unused time. However, you might want to |
| been to you, it is unprofessional. You want to always | | | | double check your company's employee handbook |
| take the high road. Figure out what day of the week | | | | first to confirm how the situation is handled. Remember |
| you plan to give your notice, and consider when you | | | | that your vacation time that you will get paid for is |
| are starting your new job. All new employers will want | | | | what you have accrued (or earned) to date-not the full |
| you to start immediately, but will respect you when | | | | time that you receive over the course of a year. |
| you say you need to give appropriate notice to your | | | | Above all, be polite and understanding to your old |
| current company. If possible, try to work in at least one | | | | employer. They probably had other things on their |
| buffer day between the old and new jobs to give | | | | schedule for the next two weeks than posting your |
| yourself a clean break. Mark off 10 working days from | | | | job and conducting interviews, and are now not looking |
| the day that you're giving your notice to your last day, | | | | forward to the prospect. Be as helpful as you can so |
| and pencil that in your calendar. | | | | that when you leave they can honestly say that they |
| What you're going to do now is to write a resignation | | | | would hire you again or recommend you to someone |
| letter. This does not need, at all, to be a piece of paper | | | | else. Moving on with your career is the best revenge |
| where you outline all the terrible things they have done | | | | of all. |
| to you over the years, and why you are completely | | | | |