You’ve come to that point where you’re not happy anymore in
your present company. The job doesn’t offer enough challenges. You’ve grown
tired of the routine, the sight of your desk, and even the office’s interior
design. You decide to check out the job
vacancies in Singapore, and you find what you think is the position that’s
better suited to your career
objective. You apply, and you get accepted. So the time has come for you to
part ways with your employer.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to pack your bags and go,
you owe it to yourself to make sure you leave on good terms. No bad blood, no
ill will, only a good legacy. Here are a few tips to help you make your exit a
graceful one.
Tell your boss
face-to-face.
This is the first thing you should do as soon as you’ve made
up your mind that you’re resigning. Don’t tell anyone else within the company.
Your boss should be the first to know, and he should hear it from you. Do not print out your resignation letter
and hand it to him, or tell him by email or text. This will come across as an
FYI that will deny him the opportunity to ask you about your plans. Ask for a
few minutes of his time, then go direct to the point and tell him about your
intention to leave. Timing is of the essence here. You have to ask to see him
when he’s not harassed or stressed. A good time would be the end of the day,
when things have slowed down a bit in the office.
Maintain your
professionalism.
If you’re leaving the company because you have certain
grievances – about your boss, your coworkers, or the way things are run – it
would be best for you to keep these to yourself. Just keep your focus on your
present job and go about your business quietly. Continue putting in an honest
day’s work each day. Work overtime if you have to, and don’t grumble. Ensure a
smooth transition by properly turning over your projects. Finish everything you
have to before you make your exit.
Refrain from talking
about your new job.
You’ll likely be excited about what’s waiting for you at the
company you’ll be moving to – the higher salary you’ll be getting, the new
responsibilities you’ll be taking on, the perks that will come with your new
job, etc. But being excited is not a good reason to go telling everyone in
sight about it. Your colleagues want to see you working, not bragging. Talk
about your new job only to your family and close friends outside the company.
Don’t betray your
employer’s trust.
If your new employer competes directly with your present
employer, you have to make it clear to your new boss that you will not
compromise your professional ethics. Whatever company secrets your present
employer has entrusted to you, you must honor that trust. When you make this
clear to your new boss, you will earn his respect. If he knows someone in your
present company, he might even give him a call and put in some words of praise
for your professionalism.
At the end of the day (your last day at the office, to be
specific), you have to be able to leave with your reputation intact. Shake
hands with each of your coworkers, wish them well, and they’ll do the same for
you. Forget about whatever grievances you may have had, move on graciously, and
you’ll be remembered in a positive light.
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