Don’t beat around the bush and start a small talk. Delaying what you really want to say, that you are resigning, will only stress you out even more.
Landing a new job is only 50% of what you go through when leaving one company to join another.
It’s like a game of football with two halves. The first half is getting the job, the second half is getting out of the job you currently hold.
You are of course excited about the new job, already thinking about what is waiting and what you will be doing. You may also be a little frightened by the idea of telling your current boss that you have committed yourself to another company, that you already signed an employment agreement.
But the thought of giving notice is causing you to have second thoughts. On the other hand, you really like the new opportunity and know this is the right thing for your career.
I can reassure you that we all have these thoughts when we are in the process of moving on. Don’t worry, I want to tell you that this is normal. It is the same for athletes in sports just before a big and important competition. It is a kind of rush of adrenaline that will make you perform. It shows you are ready.
Which day and time is best to give notice?
The best day and time of the week to give notice is Monday or Tuesday in the late afternoon. The later in the day, the better.
You can give notice and get out of the office. This strategy helps to avoid the time you have to spend answering annoying questions from the boss and co-workers about why you are leaving and where you are going.
Most candidates give notice on a Friday afternoon but contrary to popular opinion, Friday afternoon is not the best day to do it.
The counteroffer
Today’s corporate environment has made the counteroffer an important weapon in the war for talent. In fact, the counteroffer has become part of many companies’ strategy to keep salary costs down until they absolutely have to pay their best talent.
But ask yourself why it is that on the day you give notice suddenly your opinions are so important to the boss. Why have the boss and company only now become concerned about your future or why the company only now is ready to talk about compensation when they are face to face with losing you?
The best way to prevent that you are pushed hard by the boss to accept a counteroffer of a higher salary or title is to ensure that the boss does not make one. The following points are all important elements of how you make the resignation a smooth one.
What words to say when resigning?
Enter your boss’ office with the resignation letter in hand and then begin the conversation like this:
“I have committed myself to join another company. I will start working there in four weeks. Please accept this (hand out the letter), my resignation. Could you please take a moment to read it? then we can discuss how to work together to make a smooth transition.”
It is really important that you do not mention where you are going, what the new job is about, or how much you will be making.
The art of deflection
Of course, your boss and colleagues would love to hear where you are heading, what the new job is, and many other questions. But you want to avoid any questions at this moment where it just happened, it’s still raw and probably a shock to everyone.
The key is to avoid answering these questions and keep repeating that you have made a final decision, and that you want to talk about how you can be of assistance during the resignation period. And keep repeating this again and again until the questions stop.
You could say something like this:
“I know everybody wants to know where I am going and why, but it is my intention to follow through on the commitment I have made to the new company.
My new employer has asked that I keep this information confidential. Can I suggest that we talk in a month’s time or so? Then I don’t mind saying where and why.
Today I really prefer to talk about how we can work together to make a smooth transition.”
Hey, congratulations on your appointment
Good luck and here’s to your success.
