You’ve worked hard for this new job. From the moment you locked in the offer, you’ve been wondering what will be the right way to say goodbye to your current employer and colleagues. Should you send a formal letter of resignation or should you meet them in person and give a handshake? What if you’re not totally satisfied with your new role? Should you tell them face to face, or should you write them a letter first and then show it to them when you arrive at work?
All of these questions can be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. But, depending on the circumstances, the right answer may vary.
Here are some telltale signs that can help you determine how to handle the situation:
The Job Is On A Temporary Basis
The first indication that your previous job isn’t completely over is if your new one is on a temporary basis. For example, maybe you just started a new role and are only there for the ‘honeymoon’ period. Or, perhaps, you’ve been promoted to a brand-new position and are there to get your feet wet before being sent back to your old job. In these situations, it’s common for workers to say goodbye to their friends, family, and acquaintances by sending a short note via email. More formal letters of resignation are only needed when the position is permanent or full-time. When dealing with a short-term or part-time position, a simple thank-you letter will suffice.
You’re Not In A Position To Sign A Contract
Another red flag that your job is not over is if you’re not in a position to sign a contract. This typically indicates that your previous employer isn’t completely satisfied with your performance, and they want to keep you on on a retainer basis. In other words, they don’t want to let you go just yet. If this is the case, you should discuss the matter with your new boss in private, away from the prying eyes of your previous colleagues. You might be surprised to discover that, despite your best efforts, you aren’t totally satisfied with your new job. If you’re worried about how your previous colleagues will react, you should discuss this with your new boss as well. They might not be happy to see you leaving either, and it could lead to an awkward situation. You don’t want to hurt your old friends, but you also don’t want to be forced to stay in a job you don’t like. A contract is a legal document that your employer can use to ensure that you abide by the rules of your employment. If you don’t want to be bound by a contract, you should inform your employer as soon as possible. They may decide to waive the contract clause and let you go with peace, or they may decide to keep you on.
You’re Not In A Position To Start A New Company
Even if you’ve done an excellent job at your current place of employment, the fact remains that you’re now at liberty to start your own company. Should you decide to do so, your employer probably won’t stand in the way. However, as a former employee, they may try to block your access to vital trade secrets and, perhaps, even sue you for copyright infringement. Therefore, it’s essential that you consult with a lawyer before you decide to start your company. The last thing you want to do is run up legal fees battling your former employer. Keep all relevant documents (including emails) in a safe place for three to six months (depending on your state’s regulations) before you start working for your new company. This way, you can be sure that you’ll never be exposed to legal ramifications by simply following the rules. The moment you establish your company, you’ll be forced to start paying business taxes and, potentially, other charges as well. When that happens, the job is definitely not over.
Your Performance Is On-Par With Or Better Than Your Previous Employer
If your previous employer knew what you were capable of, they would not have decided to hire you in the first place. In other words, they must either have been foolish to trust you or truly thought that you were under-performing at your previous position. In either scenario, your employer is most likely going to be disappointed with your work ethic. If this is the case, you should not feel bad. Better to be the best than the best-kept secret. The worst that can happen is that they don’t give you enough work, and you have to take a step back. Nevertheless, you should feel good about yourself for having done your best. Even when the job isn’t over, you should consider it a compliment that your employer thought highly enough of you to give you a new chance. Ultimately, you can’t control how your former employer feels about you. All you can do is focus on doing your best and prove them wrong. As long as you live by the rules and don’t give them any reason to fire you, you’re most likely going to be okay.
You’re Not Sure What To Include In Your Resignation Letter
Even if you’ve decided to move on, you’re not sure what to include in your resignation letter. You have two options here. You can either send them a brief note, or you can draft a more formal letter. Which one you choose depends on the situation. For example, if this is a rather ‘formal’ letter and you’re not sure whether or not to sign it, you may want to write a short note first and then follow it with the letter. You can use these two documents to help you ‘wrap up’ your time at the company. When you send them the formal letter, you’re essentially telling them that you’ve come to your senses and realized that this is the right thing to do. However, if you decide to write them a short letter first, you’re giving them the opportunity to think it over and change their mind. In essence, the letter is your peace offering. Should they choose to keep you on, you’ll have an excellent reference that you can use until your next job.
It’s Been A While Since You Last Spoke To Your Employer
Regardless of how much you’ve done for the company, if you’ve been at least partially disconnected from your former employer for a long time, it may be time for a brief telephone call or an email to fill in the gaps. Even though you’ve decided to move on, your employer may feel that they need to check up on you from time to time. In some cases, this may be a formality, but, in other instances, your former boss may have real concerns about your job performance. Regardless, it’s always best to be open and honest. Sometimes, these calls or emails can even help you prove to your employer that you’ve changed, and that they no longer need to worry about you. Ultimately, it’s your decision whether or not to keep your old job. If you decide to move on, be sure to do your best, follow the rules, and show them that you’re an asset to their team. And, as long as you’ve done all of that, the job is definitely not over.