Resignation from a job is a big decision, whether you have a new job opportunity or not, but once you decide to resign from your current position, then there are several steps to take to ensure a professional exit. Understanding your responsibility after resigning from your current position can help you maintain stronger professional connections. Let’s see the responsibilities that arise before and after resigning.
What To Do Before Submitting The Resignation
Before submitting your resignation, spend some time to plan your next step in order to leave gracefully. Here are the following things you can do:
1. Check Your Company’s Policy: Before putting in your resignation, review your employment contract and confirm your notice period. After this you can define your last working date and learn about other resignation requirements.
2. Save Important Work Related Material: Save your performance certificates, work samples and appreciation emails if allowed in the policy. You may also collect and save numbers of your colleagues and partners if you want to stay in touch with them.
3. Plan Your Finances In advance: Before resigning from your job, review your finances like monthly expenses, bills or other financial responsibilities.
4. Delete Personal Footprints: It is important to protect your privacy by deleting personal digital footprints from your office desktop. Delete personal email id, personal files, photos (if any), documents and passwords.
5. Plan Your Resignation Message: Draft a professional, clear and polite resignation message. Keep the reason short. Also, once you decide your last day as per company’s policy, speak to your manager first before sending out the mail.
6. Plan To Handover Your Work: Prepare documents stating your current tasks, important contacts and project statuses for your successor to transition smoothly.
7. Clean Out Your Desk/Workspace: To avoid leaving your stuff and belongings behind, start cleaning out your workspace. Do it quietly and gradually to avoid suspicion.
Things To Do After Submitting The Resignation
As you already submitted your resignation letter, now you can focus on professional closure and plan your next career step for a smooth transition.
Serve your Notice Period: After submitting your resignation to your manager or HR, continue performing your responsibilities during the notice period. This will leave a positive and professional impression.
Prepare your Handover document: Prepare detailed notes or guides on ongoing projects, daily tasks you are working on and a list of key contact persons. Hand this document to the one who will be taking over your duties to ensure smooth workflow.
Complete Your Pending Work: Finish your pending tasks before your last working day and provide your manager or skip manager with updated reports of your work and task lists.
Return Company Property: Before your last working day, make sure you return all the devices, like the laptop, office ID card, keys and clear personal data if you have any.
Get Document Information: Get confirmation on when you will receive the pay that is due, bonuses and pending holiday compensation. Keep copies of your personal employment records like salary slips, offer letter, appointment letter and performance related documents. Confirm with HR that when and how you will receive your experience letter and relieving letter.
Express Gratitude: Thank your employer for their support and the experience you gained while working with them. You can also give a farewell speech to your team. Maintaining professional relationships can help you stay connected with your colleagues and you can build your professional network.
Read: How To Write Last Working Day Email
Tips To Resign Professionally & Ethically
Follow the below given tips to end your professional journey in a respectable and ethical way.
1. Avoid putting negative comments for your manager, colleagues or workplace while writing the resignation letter you must. Try to keep your email professional and clear without any emotional wordings.
2. Do not share too much personal information with everyone. You don’t need to explain every detail of your resignation to everyone, always keep it private.
3. Avoid using jokes and casual commenting in your resignation email letter. Use clear and polite language throughout the email.
4. Do not forget to mention your last working day in your resignation email. This will help avoid confusion about your last working day and keep the process smooth.
5. Remember to express your gratitude towards your employer for the opportunity and experience they gave you. This helps you end the professional relationship on a positive note.
6. Proof read your resignation email before sending it. Look for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and incorrect dates if any before sending it to the HR or manager.
7. Do not add unnecessary details and keep the email focused on your resignation, notice period and last working day.
8. Follow the company’s resignation policies and any relevant requirements mentioned in your employment contract.
Conclusion
Resigning from a job may be the beginning of a new chapter in your career. Take the time to make informed decisions, communicate clearly to your seniors and leave on good terms. Whether you are moving to a new role or exploring other opportunities, a thoughtful approach can help you move forward with greater confidence.
FAQs
Q1. What should I do immediately after resigning from a job?
After resigning from a job, complete pending tasks and discuss the handover process with your manager. You must also maintain professionalism and not abscond from your work.
Q2. Can I withdraw my resignation after submitting it?
Yes, you can request to withdraw your resignation. However, your employer must agree to the request.
Q3. Can I leave a job before completing my notice period?
Yes, you can leave your job without serving your notice period only if your employer approves an early release or your employment terms allow it.
Q4. What documents do I need to collect after resigning from a job?
Collect your relieving letter, experience certificate, final payslip and full and final settlement statement, as applicable.
Q5. When will I receive my full and final settlement?
The payment timeline depends on your organizations rules and policy. You may ask HR for the expected date.
Q6. Should I tell my colleagues that I am resigning?
Yes, inform your colleagues when the time is right. Usually should be done after discussing your resignation with your manager.
Q7. What happens if I do not serve my notice period?
Not serving notice period can lead to action taken against you by your employer. However, if you want an early out, you can talk to your employer.
Q8. Can I join another company during my notice period?
No. You can not join another company during your notice period. But you can accept another job offer after confirming your joining date, post serving your notice period.
Q9. Should I attend an exit interview after resigning?
Yes, if your company requires one. Share your feedback honestly and professionally.
Q10. How can I maintain a good relationship with my employer after resigning?
Complete your handover, communicate professionally and thank your colleagues for their support.
