Sunday, March 25, 2007

Why Are Resignation Letters Important?

When the time comes to progress within the work world, you sometimes have to make the first move by submitting a letter of resignation. For some, completing this task is better said than done. The awkwardness of telling an employer you no longer wish to work for their company can become an overwhelming task to complete. It sometimes causes strained relationships and may even facilitate a few sleepless nights. Plus, in many work circles, the situation is rather delicate and the way you handle this assignment can make or break your future job prospects.

Why Write a Resignation Letter

The proper way to alert an employer that you no longer wish to work for them is through the writing of a resignation letter. As you navigate through the proper channels of policy, it is this act that will secure your legitimacy as a responsible worker when applying for other means of employment. Walking away from the job scene shouting the words, "I quit," is highly unacceptable. It will surely reflect on your job performance reviews and seriously hurt the positive remarks your last reference will furnish.

Many employees write resignation letters because they have found a different job that either delivers the type of environment they are interested in or pays a higher salary. Usually, money is the defining factor that leads workers to flee their current job situation. Sometimes, it is for personal reasons, such as creative differences with the higher ups. Others have simply had enough of their current job position and possibly their boss to the point that they dread returning to their office day after day. In the worst cases, some will write a resignation letter before they have even found replacement employment.

Resignation letters also come when employees have a sense that they are about to be fired. It allows them to beat their bosses to the punch and save a few shreds of dignity. On a future job application, it always looks better to have left a previous job on your own accord than state that you were fired.

Even if you have verbally resigned, a resignation letter is still an appropriate action to complete. Hopefully, you can still maintain a positive association with your old employer, who might be called upon to write a letter of recommendation in the future. Resignation letters should be completed in a professional manner - typed and neatly presented.

The Ups and Downs of Resignation Letters

Before you sit down to write out your resignation letter, you should have already thoroughly thought out why you want to leave your job and that you are absolutely sure this is what you want to do. Many times, employees have written the letter, submitted their resignation, and after finding alternative measures worse than before, wish to come back. Unfortunately by that time, returning to their old job is no longer an option.

Sometimes, returning to your old job is a possibility, but the way you express yourself through the resignation letter will determine whether or not it is one for you. If you have carefully chosen your words as to not offend your employer, you might have a position waiting for you at your old firm or office. If you have presented your resignation with attitude, disgust, and willfulness, chances are you will not be welcomed back with open arms.

Proper Procedure

As a rule of thumb, two weeks is the most acceptable and reasonable time frame to give notice in your resignation letter. The only exception to the rule is if you have already signed a contract that states otherwise. In some cases, it could be one week, while others might have to wait one month.

If an employer asks you to stay longer than two weeks or beyond your contractual agreement, you do not have an obligation to stay. Depending on your situation, you may have a new employer waiting for you to start your first day or perhaps this is one of those situations where the boss is still trying to take advantage of you. Two weeks is the maximum amount of time your job has to reap the benefits from your hard work.

Tips on Writing a Resignation Letter

When writing a resignation letter, you should leave the personal banter out of the text and stick to the announcement of moving on from the company. Emphasizing the positive will score points with your former boss (if needed) and talking about how the company has helped you to grow is also suggested. When it's time to move on, a reason should always be given. Negativity serves no point since you are already leaving; therefore leaving on good terms will work much more in your favor. Below you will find a few additional tips to consider when it comes to writing a resignation letter.

1) After the salutation, begin your resignation letter with the purpose of your leaving. Regardless if you are relocating to Boston or have found employment elsewhere, you should state the reason why you are leaving so employers do not feel slighted.

2) Show praise by stating the opportunities, experience, skills, and knowledge you were able to acquire during your time with the company.

3) Offer help, such as telling them that you may be of some sort of assistance during the transition. This may entail training a replacement during your last two weeks on the job.

4) Tell the employer that if they have any questions or need any further details, you can be contacted. Supplying up-to-date contact numbers in the letter is recommended.

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