I QUIT... I mean I'm stepping down... I mean I resign...? # ItIsWhatItIs
I left my last job a month ago (I was there for a year) and although it had several highlights, I had to move on to grow. Even though I concluded it was the right thing to do, I couldn't help feeling worried/nervous. Some of the questions going through my head were “what if my new job spontaneously retracts the offer for no reason”, “will my supervisor and coworkers despise me”, “will delivering the message be awkward”, “am I making an impulse decision”, etc.
My supervisor was out
Before accepting the offer I asked for a 3 week's notice to give my small department time to adapt. You should definitely honor 2 weeks or more notice if you can. I'm glad I did 3 because my supervisor went on a 1 week business trip and I wanted to talk in person (emailing is like breaking up via text in my opinion lol). I also took a 3 day (not including the weekend) vacation and liked the cushion of time there so it didn't look like I blatantly traveled and dipped.
Google it
As the days lead up, I googled/youtubed “things to do when quitting”, “dos and dont's”, “quitting professionally”, etc. Some of the best advice was to offer to train coworkers, document information on what you did, never say anything bad about the company, thank them for the opportunity, and to get straight to the point. I ended up writing a long script about why I was quitting and tried to memorize it to avoid stepping on toes with impromptu wording. I edited the script in my phone notes 1000 times before deleting half of it and coming up with the idea of offering to continue the social media part of the job I enjoyed via contract work. I then edited that proposal like 100 more times after relaying it to my parents. I was definitely being extra.
I had to wait 'till 3:00
Eventually the day came and since I worried so much the past week, I got it all out and felt oddly serene. I spontaneously reduced my “speech” from 3 paragraphs to 1, just minutes before my supervisor returned to check in on the team. I psyched myself out and just said I'd like to schedule a meeting to discuss work. They* said there may not be time that day (they were already rushing to a meeting and that wasn't the time to say anything anyway), but I insisted and got a slot at 3:00. I was low-key psyching out till 2:40 and my anxiety went up a bit (this was my first time quitting a real job)!
Save the worrying
My supervisor didn't get a chance to accept my meeting invite so I emailed saying it was urgent, figuring there'd be some foreshadowing there. After assessing the mood when my supervisor came in, I started off saying “this is honestly the meeting I never wanted to haveeee” in a light, quirky-ish tone and followed with “I've decided to resign because my role has changed so much since my first supervisor”. I was a bit shocked that my supervisor wasn't surprised by my decision. We even laughed a bit and they were happy with my proposal to continue as a contractor from home. Afterwards we walked out and paperwork was started.
My choice
NOTE: I could've handed a letter of resignation summarizing my decision at the meeting but I didn't because my environment was more casual. I had also planned to start my speech with “It was a tough decision to make, but I've decided to resign due to...” I also disclosed where I was going to work (in brief, not to brag at all) when asked since there was no hostility and I wasn't working for a direct competitor. If I was working for a competitor I may have said "I prefer not to disclose..."
Exit interview
later, I had an exit interview where I was asked questions about why I left. It can be tempting to rant but I stayed polite and suggested a few (not too many critiques) ways to improve the workplace. I believe my professional response was one of the reasons I got a brief farewell message sent out to the company email list (also I never really complained publicly at work before, especially without a solution, and never will no matter the coworker).
Negotiation
Afterwards I was presented with an hourly pay rate for my continued contract services and I was underwhelmed. I decided to attempt a negotiation which I would hear the results of the weekend after I left.
Awkwardddd
The most awkward part of quitting was when coworkers found out I was leaving. I didn't want them to think I was hiding information, so if I saw something off in their tone, I'd explain I was leaving for growth, was continuing contract work, and waited on HR before saying anything publicly. Honestly everyone seemed understanding. I will admit, my choice of contracting cushioned the “blow” there too.
Last day
On the last days I was sure to train coworkers on my tasks, work to my fullest (Last impressions are important! You never know if you'll need a reference or see coworkers again), share information/files, clean my desk (probably could've done that more thoroughly), and say goodbye to those who came forward. I stayed after a few minutes then drove off the lot with what I think was “Suge” playing in the background.
*I refer to my supervisor as they/them for identity privacy & neutrality even though it may not be that deep...
*STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS ON THE NEGOTIATION, INTERVIEWING/APPLYING WHILE IN A FULL TIME JOB, & MORE!
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