Yep, here we are, in the home straight.  You have the offer, confirmed in writing, and you want to start.  The final thing you have to deal with is the resignation from your current company.  You are probably feeling proud and elated at the moment, but I have to say, resigning is not a pleasant thing to do.  After all, you are effectively rejecting your current employer, and, as much as they try not to, some will take it personally.  Fact of life.

Now, it is another fact of life, that as we move quickly into the 10′s, top skills are becoming more and more scarce, despite the recession.  So it is possible that you will be asked to stay.

You could be offered any of the following;-

• A rise
• A promotion
• A new car
• An assistant

Anything else they feel may make you stay

Your boss will be surprised, hurt, angry or whatever.  He’ll tell you that you are making a big mistake.  The future looks really rosy for both you and the company.  The company you’re going to isn’t right for you, after all they do such and such. Take a couple of days, think it over, I’m sure you’ll come to the sensible decision.

This happens with increasing regularity, and it does make the decision to leave all the more difficult.  However, this is one area, I can definitely help with.  Once you have resigned, GO.

There will be exceptions where you get a counter-offer that is simply too good to turn down.  However, research and my own experience suggests, that if you were unhappy enough to resign once, within a year, you will have left regardless.  This is a fact.  If you do accept a counter offer, make sure it leaves you in a position of power. If not, it will likely be much sooner than a year before you are looking again.  This is particularly the case where the counter offer is just a sweetener. In this instance the root cause of the original problem has not been changed, and will surface again sooner or later.

Here’s a common example.  The reason you decide to leave is because you do not get on with your boss.  Your boss, knowing you are key to the team, offers a substantial rise.  Great, you accept the counter offer.  However, the root cause of the problem, the friction with your boss is still there.  In fact it is probably worse, because the boss now resents you more, having had to give you a large rise.  So despite the rise, the situation has deteriorated.

The best advice is trust your original instincts, and follow through with the offer you have just received.  You made the decision for a number of reasons.  Follow my advice GO.  Obviously, be gracious, flattered even, but GO.

Resignation Letter

Make sure your resignation is by formal letter and do ensue you thank your current employers for the years of employment and tell them you have enjoyed your time there and you hope for their continued success!

The final word on leaving.  Make sure you leave on good terms.  You never know when someone from your past company may turn up in your new company.  You never know when you might find a previous colleague on a future interview panel.  The rising star from your last employer who suddenly turns up on the board of your current company.  Most markets are very incestuous and people move about, plus word spreads quickly in this age of social media! You just never know, so leave on good terms.

If you need help resigning… check out I Resign it will make sure the resignation is smooth and goes well.