So, you’ve landed a new job? Congrats! While change may be scary for some, just remember, you are not alone. On average, 30% of people change their jobs annually, with the average person having 12 jobs throughout their career [Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]. Whether the choice to leave was for a higher compensation package (wages, benefits, pension, commission, etc.), shorter commute, increased dealership or manufacturer training, career growth opportunities, relocation, preferred shift and on-call schedule…or to get away from a terrible boss and toxic workplace environment, you’ve successfully found your dream job on your own, or using a skilled trades recruiter.
Now that you’ve cleared the background checks, reviewed and signed the job offer, the only thing left to do is to hand in your notice to your boss. Speaking with your Service/Install Manager or Shop Foreman can be intimidating, especially if this is your first time or they are clueless on your plans to leave. The reality is most managers have had employees leave, and so the best thing you can do is provide clear communication.
Here are nine tips to ensure a stress-free resignation:
- Review Your Employee Handbook or Contract
- Two Weeks’ Notice
- Tell Your Boss First
- Hand in Your Resignation in Person & Keep it Simple
- Prepare to Answer Follow Up Questions & Be Counter Offered
- CYA – Email Your Resignation
- Tell Close Colleagues & Mentors
- Don’t Forget to Ask Questions
- Don’t Burn Bridges
See below for more detailed information on each tip.
- Review your employee handbook or contract
Before you speak with your manager and/or HR about quitting, review your employee handbook or contract for company policies. If you’re defined as an “at-will employee,” your employer could ask you to leave immediately. Also pay attention to any non-compete clauses, and if needed, seek legal counsel.
If there is any possibility of your manager reacting badly to your notice or you’re leaving to work with a direct competitor, be prepared to be asked to leave immediately with your tools, your company cell phone and laptop revoked, and your work email account vanished. While the likelihood of this happening is small, plan to save any projects, contacts, impact numbers, or materials. Better to be prepared than sorry.
- Two Weeks’ Notice
While there are no laws that specify the length of time an employee must give notice to their employer, the widely acceptable standard and professional courtesy is at least two (2) weeks, or 10 business days. This is typically done in person with a resignation letter and followed up with an email. This demonstrates respect for the company and your manager. Providing two weeks’ notice shows good faith on your part that you’re not leaving the company in a lurch, gives them time to find your replacement, and are willing to wrap up any unfinished work.
There are times when its OK to skip out on giving notice, such as if you feel unsafe in any way, your manager is abusive, or the workplace is toxic. In these cases, prioritize your well being by giving a shorter notice or quit on the spot. You won’t be leaving on good terms, but when workplace dynamics are poisonous, it’s best to make a quick exit.
- Tell your boss first
While some of your colleagues may know you’re interviewing, especially if they acted as your reference, your boss should be the first to know you are quitting. Your manager needs to begin planning to replace you as soon as possible and ensure any remaining work is completed or delegated to another employee. The last thing you want is for your boss to hear it from someone else, even though they’ve been sworn to secrecy.
Avoid posting anything on social media or making changes to your LinkedIn profile before handing in your formal notice.
- Where possible, present your resignation in person and keep it simple
The best practice is to speak with your direct manager in person, have a copy of your formal resignation letter that outlines all the details, and provide it your manager after you have verbally given notice. Speaking in-person may be uncomfortable, but it’s the professional thing to do. When this is not an option, a phone call is an excellent alternative. Most people agree the best day to hand in your notice is a Friday, so that your last day also falls on a Friday.
It’s your choice what you tell your boss on why you’re leaving, but the best thing is to be direct, keep it short and simple, and be professional. You can say something along the lines as:
“I’ve enjoyed my time working for you and thank you for this opportunity. At this time, I’ve accepted a role elsewhere. I am putting in my two weeks’ notice with my last day being XX/XX. I wish you and [Company Name] all the best.”
“I’ve learned a lot and appreciate everything you’ve done to help me grow and learn in my trade. An opportunity that I cannot pass up became available and I accepted another role. I am officially handing in my two weeks’ notice and my last day will be XX/XX. In the meantime, I’m here to help with the transition and handing off my workload.”
“It’s been great working for you, and I’m thankful for all the support you’ve given me. I wanted to let you know I’ve accepted an offer with another company offering higher wages and aligns with my career path, and so am handing in my two weeks’ notice. My last day with [Company Name] will be XX/XX.
As you see, the general format is to begin by saying something nice/showing appreciation for your boss/company, stating you’re leaving, and then providing your specific last date. You can follow up with how you can help them transition during this time and/or wish them all the best, as shown in some of the above examples.
- Prepare to answer follow-up questions & be counter-offered
Your boss will likely ask follow-up questions after you’ve given your notice, such as why you’re looking to leave and what they can do to make you stay. There is no right or wrong way to answer and as mentioned above, you are not obligated to explain your reason for leaving.
If you want to share the reason, keep it brief and state what it is, such as higher wages, dealership training, apprenticeship opportunities, a better work-life balance, etc. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing, just tell them the new opportunity aligns with your career goals. If pressed for who the new company is and specific details, you can let your boss know that you’re not sharing that information yet. The choice is yours.
While you may feel the need to air your grievances, it is in your interest to keep it to yourself – especially if it will cause problems or fall on deaf ears. You want to maintain your professional contacts and network – the skilled trades industry is tight, and people talk.
You should be prepared to handle a counteroffer and if there were anything that would make you stay. For example, if they match the job offer, offer a promotion, etc., would you accept?
Again, no right or wrong answers, but you should decide ahead of time on what you want so that you don’t have to decide on the spot. Alternatively, you can tell your boss, “you’ll think about it and will let him know by X date.”
What if your Foreman asks you to stay longer than two weeks to finish up work or train your replacement? Since you’ve already reviewed your company policy and contract, you know you’re not legally obligated to stay longer and should not feel pressured to do so. If your new job doesn’t start until significantly later and you want the extra money or benefits, agreeing to the additional time works in your favor. But two weeks is generally what employers expect, and you can leave on good terms in that time frame if that is what you choose to do.
Where applicable, you should also discuss with your manager the return of the company service vehicle, any company property (i.e. cell phone, tablet, tools, etc.), and arrangements for picking up your toolbox.
- CYA – Email your resignation
Following your in-person meeting or phone call with your boss, cover your ass (CYA)! Send an email with the details of your resignation to your employer, and if possible, include HR. In the event your notice wasn’t well received by your workplace, and they try to withhold pay or claim you did not quit, this resignation email will act as proof and cover you legally.
The email should be simple and professional. Check out this article for tips and resignation email templates.
- Tell close colleagues and mentors
Once you’ve given your notice to your boss, you can tell your work friends, close colleagues, and mentors, preferably in-person, or if not possible, through phone, video chat, or a work-related messaging app, such as Slack. Just like your boss, it’s best they hear directly from you that you’re leaving, and not through the grapevine, especially if they’ve been influential to your growth. You want to keep and maintain relationships you’ve developed – you just never know when or how they may impact you in the future. At this point, you can feel free to share your exciting news online.
Like the conversation with your boss, plan on what you want to share with your coworkers and in how much detail. Avoid bad mouthing anyone or the current company – it may not be well received and keep in mind; they will still be working there. While this may seem like common sense, stay away from any shop or office politics or gossip surrounding your departure.
- Don’t forget to ask questions
You’ll likely have several questions, such as how your last paycheck will be handled, when do your benefits end, or what happens to your pension (i.e. RRSP, 401K)? What about your remaining earned vacation time or PTO – will you get paid out or can you use it during your notice period?
You can check to see if any of these, or any other questions/concerns you have are outlined in your employee handbook. If not, depending on the size and structure of your organization, you can check with HR who can provide this information and ensure a smooth transition. If it’s a small shop or you work for a contractor and there is no HR department, don’t hesitate to ask your direct manager or the owner.
- Don’t burn bridges
While you may be tempted to slack off and do the bare minimum since you’re leaving, it’s not the last impression you want to give. Avoid sharing with coworkers your worst experience at the current workplace, exclaiming to people, “this is why I’m leaving” or “I won’t miss this,” when something goes wrong, or dumping a crappy attitude to your coworkers. Remember, you’ll be gone soon enough, and you just never know who and how they can impact your career in the future.
Do continue to give your 100% effort, share any important knowledge, and finish off/reassign any remaining work. Maintain positive and cordial interactions with your colleagues and manager and be willing to help where needed to make the transition as seamless as possible.
Conclusion
While quitting a job is a positive step for you, navigating your resignation can be tricky. Following these nine tips, keeping it simple, professional, respectful, and maintaining your integrity will go a long way to making this process as smooth as possible. Plus, you’ll preserve your relationship with your coworkers and employers and maintain a strong professional network.
If you haven’t quit landed your dream job but you’re ready for a new opportunity, reach out to Rockstar Recruiting at 1-833-937-3546 to see how we can help.
