Quitting my job

[zums]

Any advice?! Here is the situation (probably long, so bear with me):

Major details edited out...


First question - am I crazy?! Has anyone ever left a job that they really enjoyed/liked and where they worked w/ great people for a better/different opportunity? Would be much easier if I was at a huge bank where i was a nobody or if i was unhappy, but i'm not (either).

Second question - I have already indicatd to the new job that i am interested and would like to make it a go (last Friday). The president called me Monday morning, said great and confirmed a few things like salary and said when can you start. He mentioned that i would obviously want to give a couple weeks notice and also any vacation time i might have had. I said i needed a little time to work that out as i am in the middle of some deals w/ customers, cant just walk out and leave an office full of work, etc... and i would have to think and see what i can work out and let him know, and he understood. My question.... how do i quit a job!?! I cant believe that they would walk me out the door immediately as they should want some help letting me wind some things down or calling some customers, but is that a possibility?! I am technically going to a competitor (although not really in the same market) so I am worried and feel i need to be prepared for that. What is anybody's experience w/ this?! How do I approach this when I finally let my boss know that I am quitting and letting him know i want to stay to finish a few things and help make it easier for them? How do i approach the vacation thing? Obviously never done this, but I want to go out on good terms as they have been great to work for and i planned on being there for a long time, and I just got offered this out of the blue and feel it is worth a shot.

Third - my new boss. I feel like i need to let him know soon when i am thinking i will be able to move, but i wont know until i talk to my current boss. I do not want to get off on the wrong foot with him and drag things out any more than they have already, but until i know if i have two weeks or if i get walked out the door how do i know?!

I gues i am looking for one, somebody to tell me i'm not crazy to leave a good job and take a risk haha, but more importantly some advice on how to go about something like this and remain in the good graces of my old employer and finish some ongoing loans with current customers while not upsetting my new boss. Words of wisdom please..........

[zums]

so looking back, wow - that was a very stream-of-conscious post and i didnt even hit some of the issues in the decision of old job vs. new job... but i guess since the decision has effectively been made i'm looking for some advice more on how to handle the situation gracefully (on both ends).

thanks if you made it through that

[Radii]

Originally Posted by zums

I said i needed a little time to work that out as i am in the middle of some deals w/ customers, cant just walk out and leave an office full of work, etc... and i would have to think and see what i can work out and let him know, and he understood. My question.... how do i quit a job!?! I cant believe that they would walk me out the door immediately as they should want some help letting me wind some things down or calling some customers, but is that possibility?!

I'm in software development and things may be different there, but I have quit jobs before in the middle of major projects, and the first time I did it I felt like you did I think.

But you have to remember from their perspective, its always a possibility that someone is going to leave any day. Its part of how the world works.

As far as how long of a notice to leave, you should simply do what feels right, without upsetting your new employer. For employers I have had great respect for in the past, when I leave a job I have never given more than 2 weeks notice(usually b/c the hiring companies want you to start TOMORROW and 2 weeks is stretching it). I've made sure to give it my all in those two weeks, no senioritis, and I've always made sure that the company I'm leaving knows they can count on me to respond to e-mails, answer the occasional phone call for a little while, etc. In one extreme case, I met up with a new guy over a weekend for a few hours to go over a project I was the most knowledgeable about. I probably could have found a way to charge for that time, but in my position I run into the same people over and over, I was content just having the old boss buy me dinner the next time we met to catch up.


If they run you out the door, fuck 'em. You've got the new job lined up so take your vacation pay, take some time off and start fresh at the new place. But that seems unlikely, and I don't think it really happens very often, unless the company was just praying you'd quit before they fired you in the first place(generic 'you' there). I could be clouded by surprisingly good experiences when I've left a company in this regard, maybe it happens more than I realize.

I would recommend planning it out with the new company though, tell them what you want to do ideally(how much notice you plan on giving) and what you want to do with vacation time and make sure they're ok with that. If the company you're leaving wants you out the door before the amount of time you offer to give them, then great, now you can offer the new place to start early, or have some extra time off if you want it.

Good luck!

[zums]

Thanks Radii -

That makes me feel a little better to know that what i'm feeling is somewhat normal, and yes this is the first time i have done anything like this so definitely nervous/paranoid/excited/all of the above.

I really think they would allow me to help them finish up some things before I leave (especially since some other people are on vacation that I am covering for), but just dont want to plan on that and then after talking to my boss be caught off guard and sent home.

I think my new employer will be understanding, as he is the one that mentioned that I should give at least two weeks notice and then look at taking any vacation, but i still want to be upfront with him.

Thanks again for the advice. Any other suggestions... is a formal resignation letter required, or can I just have the face-to-face conversation? If so, what all should it say? How does the vacation time work - basically give them two weeks and then take my vacation following that and then get a paycheck following that? Or is that paid out all at once for whatever I have left and then I take my "vacation" in between jobs?

[stevew]

Too many details in the first post IMO. At least hide your location.

But good luck with your decision.

[stevew]

Dola

By details I mean anyone with google could probably figure out who you work for and want to work for in prob 5mins or less.

[zums]

Originally Posted by stevew

Dola

By details I mean anyone with google could probably figure out who you work for and want to work for in prob 5mins or less.

Yeah.... I edited out most of the details that really werent necessary. Thanks.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by zums

Thanks again for the advice. Any other suggestions... is a formal resignation letter required, or can I just have the face-to-face conversation? If so, what all should it say?

I've always gone with a very basic, but formal, letter of resignation. something like:

Letter of Resignation - Example of a Letter of Resignation

But find a time to hand it in when you can sit down and talk for awhile.

How does the vacation time work - basically give them two weeks and then take my vacation following that and then get a paycheck following that? Or is that paid out all at once for whatever I have left and then I take my "vacation" in between jobs?

I have always received a lump sump check after I've left for all my vacation time. I don't know if this is universal or not. I do know people that have instead gotten their paychecks on time for the duration of their vacation, but I think those were under some sort of special agreed upon circumstances.


One other piece of advice: Remember, if you get in a tough spot, that its more important to join your new company on the right note than to leave without any issues at your old one.

[zums]

Originally Posted by Radii

One other piece of advice: Remember, if you get in a tough spot, that its more important to join your new company on the right note than to leave without any issues at your old one.

This kind of hit home for me.... good advice.

[law90026]

First question: Yes I have. Don't really regret it to be honest because the change opened up new doors for me.

Second question: See if your contract has a notice period set out. If not, let your boss know that you're quitting and work out a reasonable period to handover stuff. Note: Handover, not complete deals, unless completion is close. You shouldn't let your new employer wait too long.

A formal letter of resignation is good so there is no confusion later about when you left.

Vacation time is normally either paid off or used to offset notice (if you intend to leave earlier).

[SteveMax58]

1st q: Yes...there was something missing. Something unfullfilling for me...so yes, I understand that and while you may have doubts initially or along the way...it is likely to be better for you in the long term as you will learn more about your self...if you learn nothing else new. Knowing who you are and what makes you tick is invaluable when navigating a career path.

2nd q: Depends on your relationship with your current boss...and your desire to leave and pursue the new opportunity. My own personal way is to write the resignation letter (short and to the point, no need for dramatics), but verbally broach the subject with the boss. Once they stop trying to talk you out of it (if applicable), I then ask if they would like a formal letter of resignation.

3rd q: Make sure you can deliver on your date to your new boss...whatever date you feel it needs to be. As Radii pointed out...you do not want to be wrong on the first thing you've told your new boss. So don't be in too much of a hurry, just make sure you can deliver. Likely should take your new boss' advice as well...give 2 weeks of work, then take a week of vacation to clear your head (and allow for some occassional calls from old co-workers).

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by stevew

Dola

By details I mean anyone with google could probably figure out who you work for and want to work for in prob 5mins or less.

but it's not like someone is going to try to scoop his resignation...

[CraigSca]

You have an official offer, in writing, right?

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by SteveMax58

2nd q: Depends on your relationship with your current boss...and your desire to leave and pursue the new opportunity. My own personal way is to write the resignation letter (short and to the point, no need for dramatics), but verbally broach the subject with the boss. Once they stop trying to talk you out of it (if applicable), I then ask if they would like a formal letter of resignation.

This is good advice - except for the part about asking if they would like a formal letter of resignation.

Carry in a completed formal letter, with your last date of work on it, and resign to your boss. Give him a copy of the letter, and make sure one goes to HR as well. I agree with short and sweet. All it really needs to say is "I resign my position of {job title}, effective {last day of work}. The letter with the date is to make sure there are no misunderstandings as to when you are leaving.

The two weeks is time you actually spend working, helping them transition your work to others, or documenting it for others to read, etc. You should not use vacation time during that period. You will be paid for it when you leave (the mechanics of this probably vary, but I've always just gotten extra in my last check).

I also agree that you don't even hint at the fact you are considering another job until you have a formal, firm offer in your hands. In these days of heightened corporate suspicion, some companies will call security, give you a box to clean out your desk and escort you to the door the minute you resign, and some will if they just find out you are talking to a competitor. I would actually make sure I have everything ready to go before you resign - including cleaning any personal information off a work computer. Clean out cookies, delete files with personal info, etc. Use a disk sanitizer if possible to clear out registry information.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Samdari

I also agree that you don't even hint at the fact you are considering another job until you have a formal, firm offer in your hands. In these days of heightened corporate suspicion, some companies will call security, give you a box to clean out your desk and escort you to the door the minute you resign, and some will if they just find out you are talking to a competitor. I would actually make sure I have everything ready to go before you resign - including cleaning any personal information off a work computer. Clean out cookies, delete files with personal info, etc. Use a disk sanitizer if possible to clear out registry information.

If I have a firm offer with a competitor, I usually tell them. In my line of work, that usually means you are asked (usually politely) to leave, but I've always been paid for those last two weeks. It's just a security concern. You're better off telling them and being open as soon as possible to avoid any concerns that you might be passing information. It's never been a negative to handle it that way for me. They've always appreciated the honesty while allowing me to leave to make sure security isn't compromised.

I agree with being ready to go at any time once you resign.

[Sgran]

First of all, it's good to keep moving during your career, especially if you're young. If you're not sure you're going to like your new job, my best advice to you is to fight the urge to let your lifestyle rise up to meet your income. Once you take on car and mortgage payments, etc. you're stuck where you're at until you can find another job at the same level.

As for resigning: that's part of the game and everyone knows it. Be straight with your boss and give proper notice. No more no less. They'll understand.

[Samdari]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

If I have a firm offer with a competitor, I usually tell them. In my line of work, that usually means you are asked (usually politely) to leave, but I've always been paid for those last two weeks. It's just a security concern. You're better off telling them and being open as soon as possible to avoid any concerns that you might be passing information. It's never been a negative to handle it that way for me. They've always appreciated the honesty while allowing me to leave to make sure security isn't compromised.

I agree with being ready to go at any time once you resign.

My experiences have been as yours - companies appreciated as much notice as possible, people appreciated me being honest, etc.

But still, when I leave this company, I'll prepare for the worst case.