Resigning... without upsetting your employer
2 May 2011
Read by 2840 persons
To leave a good reputation, the employee must prepare the ground before resigning. Bad departures are those that are done hastily, in anger.
"The announcement of my resignation left him speechless. My boss didn't accept that I left so quickly, without a valid reason. The separation was painful," confides a sales executive in a multinational company. This executive experienced setbacks even after leaving the company in question, because his former boss tried to damage his reputation when he simply "wanted to aspire to a better quality of life." The business world is full of such cases.
Although the mobility of executives has accelerated considerably in recent years, few are those who manage their departure carefully. Abdelfattah Mouloud, head of a company, knows something about this. "I experienced the revolving door of executives at a time when the company was going through difficult times. Constantly changing managers, finding a replacement and training them, no longer being able to retain the old ones... In the long run, this can become unbearable. I was always surprised by the reaction of some who sent me their resignation by registered letter without having taken the time to reveal their intentions beforehand. It could have changed a lot of things."
Resignation is always a difficult decision that requires a lot of tact. "Cases of bad departures are those that have been poorly prepared or that are made in an emotional state related to fear or haste," explains Youssef Jermoumi, CEO of IP Expert.
Calm and discretion are the best ways to leave with honors. Only announce your decision when you have found the right job. Then, it is a question of giving the news first to your superior. Because rumors about you can quickly precede you. "I want to keep my decision private. Even my close collaborators are kept out of the loop so that the news doesn't get out," says Karima M., 32, a sales executive.
Another precaution to take before leaving: finalize all current files. Khalid Derouan, controlling manager in a service company, emphasizes that it is necessary to remain professional until the end of your notice period. "A poorly closed file leaves a bad impression. It must be carefully examined to detect any irregularities so that your successor or your boss does not question your work," he recommends. "I was negotiating with a major client for a large order. Even if it took several weeks, I preferred to stay to conclude the deal before leaving. It's exhausting, but rewarding in the end," testifies Karima M.
But what to do when your boss keeps you to close priority files? The best way to leave quickly is to propose a successor yourself. "I always try to identify a candidate. I test him. Of course, I praise his merits to encourage the boss to hire him," he adds.
But be careful! In most cases, the employment contract provides for a notice period that can range from one to two months. If this is the case, you may risk legal action (even if few employers dare to do so) in case of hasty departure. There may also be a non-compete clause, which means that it is not possible to join a company that carries out similar activity in a well-defined geographical area. These legal provisions must be clearly understood to avoid potential problems.
During the farewell party, pay tribute to your boss to maintain good relationships
The sensitivity of the hierarchy is sometimes an element to be taken into consideration. "If relations with the hierarchy are difficult, the employee must under no circumstances be trapped by negative or even aggressive attitudes. We have seen that some managers are coached at these opportune moments to live the departure well, organize it well and leave under good conditions," explains Mr. Jermoumi. In the same spirit, the boss can organize an exit interview.
Your farewell party is approaching? Wait a little longer before showing your relief. It is useful to pay a final tribute to your boss and colleagues (without excessive zeal), in order to perpetuate the relationship. "Even after leaving, I don't hesitate to call my former boss or have lunch with him. It's good for maintaining your network. And why not meet again in a future setting?" emphasizes an executive from a credit institution.
If it is essential to properly manage your departure, preparing your landing is just as important. Starting by obtaining a letter of commitment from your new employer before even submitting your resignation. But be aware that breaches of employment contracts are often poorly perceived by recruiters (is it a voluntary departure or a dismissal?).
Before even going through interviews, it is necessary to find out about the company culture you are targeting, recruitment specialists sometimes recommend. This is a way to avoid making the same mistakes. "During personalized interviews, it is also necessary to take the time to negotiate point by point the salary, benefits, responsibilities, career and above all communicate your expectations. This is important for the future," adds an executive. Once there, it is also a question of making a good impression. Even if you make mistakes in the first few days, stay calm, listen, be attentive to your surroundings and you will gradually gain confidence in yourself.
Published on April 27, 2011
Posted online on May 2, 2011
Lavieeco.com
"The announcement of my resignation left him speechless. My boss didn't accept that I left so quickly, without a valid reason. The separation was painful," confides a sales executive in a multinational company. This executive experienced setbacks even after leaving the company in question, because his former boss tried to damage his reputation when he simply "wanted to aspire to a better quality of life." The business world is full of such cases.
Although the mobility of executives has accelerated considerably in recent years, few are those who manage their departure carefully. Abdelfattah Mouloud, head of a company, knows something about this. "I experienced the revolving door of executives at a time when the company was going through difficult times. Constantly changing managers, finding a replacement and training them, no longer being able to retain the old ones... In the long run, this can become unbearable. I was always surprised by the reaction of some who sent me their resignation by registered letter without having taken the time to reveal their intentions beforehand. It could have changed a lot of things."
Resignation is always a difficult decision that requires a lot of tact. "Cases of bad departures are those that have been poorly prepared or that are made in an emotional state related to fear or haste," explains Youssef Jermoumi, CEO of IP Expert.
Calm and discretion are the best ways to leave with honors. Only announce your decision when you have found the right job. Then, it is a question of giving the news first to your superior. Because rumors about you can quickly precede you. "I want to keep my decision private. Even my close collaborators are kept out of the loop so that the news doesn't get out," says Karima M., 32, a sales executive.
Another precaution to take before leaving: finalize all current files. Khalid Derouan, controlling manager in a service company, emphasizes that it is necessary to remain professional until the end of your notice period. "A poorly closed file leaves a bad impression. It must be carefully examined to detect any irregularities so that your successor or your boss does not question your work," he recommends. "I was negotiating with a major client for a large order. Even if it took several weeks, I preferred to stay to conclude the deal before leaving. It's exhausting, but rewarding in the end," testifies Karima M.
But what to do when your boss keeps you to close priority files? The best way to leave quickly is to propose a successor yourself. "I always try to identify a candidate. I test him. Of course, I praise his merits to encourage the boss to hire him," he adds.
But be careful! In most cases, the employment contract provides for a notice period that can range from one to two months. If this is the case, you may risk legal action (even if few employers dare to do so) in case of hasty departure. There may also be a non-compete clause, which means that it is not possible to join a company that carries out similar activity in a well-defined geographical area. These legal provisions must be clearly understood to avoid potential problems.
During the farewell party, pay tribute to your boss to maintain good relationships
The sensitivity of the hierarchy is sometimes an element to be taken into consideration. "If relations with the hierarchy are difficult, the employee must under no circumstances be trapped by negative or even aggressive attitudes. We have seen that some managers are coached at these opportune moments to live the departure well, organize it well and leave under good conditions," explains Mr. Jermoumi. In the same spirit, the boss can organize an exit interview.
Your farewell party is approaching? Wait a little longer before showing your relief. It is useful to pay a final tribute to your boss and colleagues (without excessive zeal), in order to perpetuate the relationship. "Even after leaving, I don't hesitate to call my former boss or have lunch with him. It's good for maintaining your network. And why not meet again in a future setting?" emphasizes an executive from a credit institution.
If it is essential to properly manage your departure, preparing your landing is just as important. Starting by obtaining a letter of commitment from your new employer before even submitting your resignation. But be aware that breaches of employment contracts are often poorly perceived by recruiters (is it a voluntary departure or a dismissal?).
Before even going through interviews, it is necessary to find out about the company culture you are targeting, recruitment specialists sometimes recommend. This is a way to avoid making the same mistakes. "During personalized interviews, it is also necessary to take the time to negotiate point by point the salary, benefits, responsibilities, career and above all communicate your expectations. This is important for the future," adds an executive. Once there, it is also a question of making a good impression. Even if you make mistakes in the first few days, stay calm, listen, be attentive to your surroundings and you will gradually gain confidence in yourself.
Published on April 27, 2011
Posted online on May 2, 2011
Lavieeco.com
