Switching Jobs, Notifying boss

[cbr shadow]

I've been at the same company for roughly 6 years and have gotten small salary increases annually.  The position pays $59k/yr, which is low for the industry.  I stayed because it was interesting work and offered lots of flexibility (worked from home a fair amount, then moved to Australia and worked remotely, etc).  Recently the job became very stressful as I'm getting work piled on me and the flexibility is no longer there because I work so many hours.

I recently interviewed at a new company and am now accepting an offer for $82k.  It's a bit of a risk for several reasons (company is small, pipeline of work could possibly dry up, etc).

On to my questions.  I need to inform my current boss that I'm leaving.  I want to do this in the most professional way.  What reason do I give?  How do I go about telling him?  In truth the reason has a lot to do with money and expectations of work hours, but I'm guessing this isn't the best way to frame it. 

The ideal outcome for me is that:
1) Leave on a really good note and I get a positive reference from them (this is likely)
2) Some hourly contract work comes my way when they get flooded with work and need some help (not sure how likely this is)

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[bestname]

I would ask for a short meeting and tell him in person. Then follow up with written resignation. Just say you have enjoyed your time with Company X but an exciting opportunity has come up that you would like to pursue. Then make the rest of your time as productive as possible tying up loose ends and preparing your replacement as well as you can.

If he makes you a counter offer you can talk about money then, but I would be very cautious to accept as generally once you've decided to leave a place, it is awkward not to do that.

[MisterTwoForty]

I have switched jobs a few times in my professional/post-college career.  I am typically just honest and give the standard two weeks notice.  If you enjoy where you work, there is a chance your current boss will meet the pay of the new position.

Even if the truth hurts, it's still the best policy.  If nothing else, it may make working conditions better for other members of your team or the person who potentially replaces you.  I wouldn't be harsh about it, but talk in a straight forward - even tone. 

[Gimesalot]

I disagree that honesty is the best policy especially if you need to leave on good terms and might work there again.  I would send a resignation email and then a paper copy of a standard resignation letter:

Dear Boss,

I regret to inform you that I wish to terminate my employment with ENTER POORLY PAYING COMPANY NAME HERE effective LAST DAY DATE HERE.  Although, I have decided to pursue another position, I am extremely grateful for all of the opportunities provided by you and ENTER POORLY PAYING COMPANY NAME HERE.  Please keep in mind that I greatly enjoyed my job and if you need my services further, I may be available for a part-time contract assignment.  Feel free to contact met at:  xxxxx should the opportunity arise.

Once again, thank you for your support and wisdom over the last 6 years.

Sincerely,

cbr shadow 

[LeRainDrop]

Alison Green at Ask A Manager gives great workplace advice.  This is what I would follow:
http://www.askamanager.org/2015/10/everything-you-need-to-know-about-quitting-your-job.html

Note that it's much better practice to tell your boss in person that you are resigning, and then if he wants a formal resignation letter, you can provide that afterwards.  Keep it sweet and simple to end on good terms and preserve the likelihood of you getting a positive reference from him.  Good luck!

[cbr shadow]

Great advice here - thanks everyone.

[Josiecat]

I wouldn't say 'regret to inform you'.  You shouldn't regret anything.  I always say as of Aug 2, 2016, I am tendering my resignation.  I have appreciated the time I've spent here blah, blah.  My last day will be XX/XX/2016.

Best regards,
XX

[ender]

The letter I used (after talking to my boss) was:

Hello bosses,

Please find this letter to be formal confirmation of my resignation from <company>. My last day will be January 15, 2016.

I have enjoyed my nearly 6 years with <company> and want to thank you both for
the opportunity for another great opportunity with <company>. I will value my
experiences from <company> throughout my professional career.

During my remaining two weeks, I will do everything I can to help transition any
project work and responsibilities I have to the respective team members.

I wish you all the best.

Best regards,
first last

[Davids]

And if you are leaving for a competitor then hopefully you get walked out the door and paid for those 2 weeks.

[Chris22]

"I am voluntarily resigning my position with COMPANY, effective immediately. My last day will be DATE IN TWO WEEKS. Thank you for the opportunity."

[mm1970]

I liked the "ask a manager" response.

I think if money is a reason, say it, assuming that your boss is the kind of person who takes resignations well (as mentioned in the ask a manager).

I agree with the other person who said it might make things better.  I mean, it might not.  I worked for a company that lost a good 1/3 of the people because of money in one year.  Yet I was the first person to flat out say it. 

In the end, it delayed the inevitable.  There's the thought that you can get by paying people less...eventually as they all leave, you find you have to pay the new people market rate.  So salaries do come up.

Of course BEFORE I left due to money reasons, I did pursue a raise with the company. "I've done my research, and found that I'm underpaid by X, how do I get there?"  The answer was non-committal, so I left.

[WSUCoug1994]

I walk people through job transitions for a living.  This discussion must be done in person.  State what you want to say and stop talking - people who are nervous tend to talk in endless circles only confusing the situation.  You must stay strong and have conviction in your decision.

You must know what you want out of this discussion.  Do not have this discussion until you know exactly what you want your outcome to be.  If you want a counter - tell them it is about the money.  If it isn't don't bring it up and avoid the discussion referring to your need to explore a new opportunity and flex some new muscles or whatever you come up with.  If you don't want a counter - tell them that you don't want a counter.  If they go through the effort of giving you a counter and you don't take it - it will only make things worse.

Taking counters is a bad deal - on average those who accept counter offers end up out of the role in 6 months.  The ramifications of quitting/accepting a counter offer are complex and broad.

[Guesl982374]

I typically use a version of the following:

Dear Mr. XXXX:

I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my position as XXXX with [company[ to pursue other interests. My last day of employment will be [date].
This was not an easy decision to make as the past XXXX years have been very rewarding from a personal and professional standpoint. I have truly enjoyed working for [company] and feel that this company has tremendously enabled my professional development. I have enjoyed working for you over past XXXX years and have greatly appreciated your support and guidance.

I will never forget my time at [company] and more specifically our [dept] group. Please let me know if you need any assistance with the transition.

Sincerely,

[frugalnacho]

I like the way peter handled it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeA00-OyMyU

Angela I just want to thank you for several extremely pleasurable years working for this corporation. Uh, certain unexpected developments have created a situation where I am no longer in need of employment. Uh, I would be remiss, however, if I did not extend my gratitude to you for your unwavering fairness and belief in me, and there is a giant poo on your desk.

[Chris22]

I typically use a version of the following:

Dear Mr. XXXX:

I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my position as XXXX with [company[ to pursue other interests. My last day of employment will be [date].
This was not an easy decision to make as the past XXXX years have been very rewarding from a personal and professional standpoint. I have truly enjoyed working for [company] and feel that this company has tremendously enabled my professional development. I have enjoyed working for you over past XXXX years and have greatly appreciated your support and guidance.

I will never forget my time at [company] and more specifically our [dept] group. Please let me know if you need any assistance with the transition.

Sincerely,

See, I intentionally keep my resignation letters extremely short and limited, because I assume they will go in my HR folder somewhere some day and I don't want anything that can be misinterpreted or anything else.  Just short and simple and to the point.  I would also resign in person, verbally, and the "letter" is just written notice for my boss to show HR or whomever.

However, after quitting but before leaving (during the 2 week notice period) I would send a broad email out to colleagues, etc, and do the "leaving for a different opportunity, very sad, will miss you all, best of luck, blah blah blah" thing for that audience, which would likely include my boss assuming we had a good relationship (I do with the current one).

Just got off the phone with my recruiter setting up a third round interview (likely the classic "you got the job, don't F it up in front of your new boss's boss" round) for a new gig so hopefully this all stops being academic soon.

[mskyle]

My current, highly effective strategy is this:
 1) ask for out-of-cycle, generally Friday afternoon meeting with boss
 2) make sad/anxious face as we sit down to meeting
 3) say, "I don't know if you can guess why I asked to meet with you today..."
 4) let boss say, "Oh, are you quitting?"
 5) discuss where I am going, why I am quitting with boss
 6) give boss/HR/whoever wants it one-line letter (literally one line) that says, "I am resigning my position as [JOB TITLE] effective [DATE]."

Anticipating quitting is much worse than actually quitting!

Like, keep in mind whether your boss is a crazy person or whether it's standard in your company/industry to be escorted out as soon as you resign, but in general it's not that bad and it's much better to do it in person, as a conversation, rather than being all terse and weird (unless your workplace is seriously dysfunctional).

[RobFIRE]

I'd ask to speak to my boss in person. I would decide my approach in advance and pre-prepare a resignation letter.

If I have found a better role then I would just say "I'm leaving for a new opportunity, have enjoyed working here, thank you for your support" and nothing much else. Don't burn bridges, whatever the temptation, you might meet the same people again in future. If you think the company systematically underpays, and for the benefit of your existing colleagues want to discuss it, then say "I'm leaving for a new role at a significantly higher salary". Still add the enjoyed/thank you and don't burn bridges.

Decide in advance if you would be willing to listen to counter offers and what figure you would require to stay (keep that to yourself). I would NOT ask for a counter offer as managers tend to prefer the "f*** off" answer if they feel forced into a position like that (in certain industries salary negotiations like this might be acceptable, not in most places though I think). Personally I would not get into counter offers as it could be a waste of your time ("we'll have to speak to HR...weeks later...with xx to review but now new budget..." etc.), or a company thinking giving you a one-off $5k raise solves their lack of career development programme, so it ends up only being a short term fix. You may decide it's worth doing that, but have to be prepared to resign if employer declines to make offer/doesn't meet your expectations.