This article was co-authored by Adina Zinn, MPA. Adina Zinn is a Certified Career & Life Coach and the Owner of Love Your Work Career and Life Coaching. With five years of experience, she specializes in using a holistic coaching approach to help people achieve their career and life goals. Adina earned a BA from The University of California, Santa Cruz and an MPA from San Francisco State University. She is also a Certified Career Coach through Career Coaches Institute and a Certified Life Coach through The International Coaching Federation.
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Who hasn’t dreamed of marching into your supervisor’s office and telling them, “I quit!” However, while it may feel satisfying and exhilarating in the moment, how you quit your job can affect your reputation and potentially impact your chances of getting a job in the future. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to quit your job the right way. We’ve answered a few common questions about how to quit a job to help you quit professionally and leave your job on good terms.
Steps
How do you politely quit a job?
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1Resign in person and tell your boss directly. Avoid talking to your coworkers or clients about your plans to quit your job until after you have discussed everything with your boss. Once you’ve decided to quit, schedule a meeting with your boss. Keep the conversation private and tell your boss first.[5]
- You could schedule a meeting that fits into their schedule or try asking them if they have a quick moment to chat.
- Be courteous but firm. Try saying something like, “I wanted to tell you first that I’m planning to leave the company.”
- If you need more room to explain why you’re leaving, or you need to detail the status of certain projects that you’re working on, write a formal resignation letter.[6]
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2Give at least 2 weeks’ notice. No matter how much you dislike the job or how ready you are to leave, always try to give at least 2 weeks of notice. It’ll leave a good impression and your former boss may be a valuable reference for future jobs.[7]
What do I say when quitting a job?
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1Put a positive spin on things to leave a good impression. Think about the aspects of the job that you enjoyed and valuable lessons that you learned. Focus on the positive things when you’re telling your boss that you’re leaving. Avoid gossip or bad-mouthing other employees, bosses, or policies to leave on a good impression.[8]
- For example, you could say something like, “I really enjoyed this job, but this new opportunity is a great thing for my career.”
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2Rehearse what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it. Take some time to really consider your words. If it helps, try writing them down. Practice what you’re going to say a few times so you can deliver the news confidently.[9]
- Try repeating your words in front of the mirror to see how you look when you say them.
- Tell a friend what you plan to say so they can give you some feedback.
- It's always a good idea to thank your boss for the opportunity and for your time in the company.
What do you do after you quit?
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1Avoid talking negatively about the job after you give notice. Just like it’s best to avoid talking about your plans with other people at your company before you tell your boss, don’t talk negatively about the job once you’ve given your notice. Don’t talk about how ready you are to leave or how much you hated certain aspects (or people) of your job. End things at the company on a good note.[10]
- Try to stay in touch with your former coworkers. Keep them in your professional network. You never know what opportunities they may create for you in the future!
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2Keep working hard during your final days at the job. Try not to slack off and check out after you’ve given notice. Finish strong and try to wrap up as many projects or assignments as you can. Get everything in order so whoever they hire to replace you is able to pick up where you left off. Leave the job with a good lasting impression.[11]
- It may be helpful to leave a binder or written update of projects you’re working on so whoever takes over for you is able to figure out what needs to be done.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionShould I quit my job if I am unhappy?
Adina Zinn, MPAAdina Zinn is a Certified Career & Life Coach and the Owner of Love Your Work Career and Life Coaching. With five years of experience, she specializes in using a holistic coaching approach to help people achieve their career and life goals. Adina earned a BA from The University of California, Santa Cruz and an MPA from San Francisco State University. She is also a Certified Career Coach through Career Coaches Institute and a Certified Life Coach through The International Coaching Federation.
Certified Career & Life CoachIf you're too stressed with your job and looking for unhealthy coping mechanisms, like alcohol and other substances, it's usually a good idea to look for a new and different job. -
QuestionWhat should I say when someone asks me why I'm leaving my job?Adina Zinn, MPAAdina Zinn is a Certified Career & Life Coach and the Owner of Love Your Work Career and Life Coaching. With five years of experience, she specializes in using a holistic coaching approach to help people achieve their career and life goals. Adina earned a BA from The University of California, Santa Cruz and an MPA from San Francisco State University. She is also a Certified Career Coach through Career Coaches Institute and a Certified Life Coach through The International Coaching Federation.
Certified Career & Life CoachAvoid conflict and simply say something like, "I learned as much as I could and I'm now looking for a new opportunity to develop my career." -
QuestionWould it be appropriate to quit in an email to a part-time employer?
Community AnswerHonestly, you probably shouldn't. The same etiquette still applies here. It's all about being professional. Also, future employers can still contact previous employers, even if it is only a part-time position.
Warnings
- If you feel unsafe at your job, tell your boss or supervisor. You don’t have to put up with it.⧼thumbs_response⧽
![Quit As an "at Will" Employee](./images/2587179115--crop-342-184-245px-Quit-As-an-"at-Will"-Employee-Step-14-Version-2.webp)
References
- ↑ Adina Zinn, MPA. Certified Career & Life Coach. Expert Interview. 30 March 2022.
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/2019/12/30/792426201/want-to-quit-your-job-heres-how-to-do-it-well
- ↑ Adina Zinn, MPA. Certified Career & Life Coach. Expert Interview. 30 March 2022.
- ↑ Adina Zinn, MPA. Certified Career & Life Coach. Expert Interview. 30 March 2022.
- ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/09/how-to-quit-your-job-without-embarrassing-yourself-according-to-hr-expert.html
- ↑ https://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/how-to-quit-your-job-like-a-class-act?slide=4
- ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/09/how-to-quit-your-job-without-embarrassing-yourself-according-to-hr-expert.html
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/2019/12/30/792426201/want-to-quit-your-job-heres-how-to-do-it-well
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/2019/12/30/792426201/want-to-quit-your-job-heres-how-to-do-it-well
- ↑ https://stanfordmag.org/contents/how-to-quit-your-job
- ↑ https://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/how-to-quit-your-job-like-a-class-act?slide=8
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/04/28/five-good-reasons-to-quit-without-giving-notice/?sh=427ae498491c
- ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/09/how-to-quit-your-job-without-embarrassing-yourself-according-to-hr-expert.html
- ↑ https://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/how-to-quit-your-job-like-a-class-act?slide=4
About This Article
To quit a job, let your boss know 2 weeks in advance so they have time to find a replacement. Moreover, as a sign of respect as well as a means to avoid gossip, make sure your boss is the first person to know about your leaving. To notify your boss, set up a meeting and be prepared to field any questions about your decision. Also, consider what you'll do if your boss tries to get you to stay with a raise or a promotion. Finally, after you give notice, stay polite and positive since you may want to ask your boss to be a reference. If you want to learn how to write a letter of resignation, keep reading the article!
