Job seekers
Browse our jobs and apply for your next role.
About
Michael Page changes lives for people through creating opportunity to reach potential.
Contact
We find the best talent for our clients and match candidates to their ideal jobs.
Useful information
You've found the perfect job, nailed the interviews, and received a formal offer. Now you're probably wondering how to hand in your notice without damaging your relationship with your soon-to-be-former employer.
For many people, handing in their notice is one of the most stressful parts of changing jobs. It's only natural: we don't like to feel we've let people down or misled them by searching for a new role.
In reality, it doesn’t have to be a difficult process. If you keep it professional, you can move forward with your career, knowing you've done everything right and haven't left the business on a sour note.
Here's everything you need to know about handing in your notice.
Before anything else, talk to your manager in person or over video call. It might be tempting to send an email and avoid an awkward moment, but your resignation has major consequences for you and your current employer. This conversation with your line manager shows respect and avoids blindsiding them with a surprise resignation letter in their inbox.
Once you’ve had a conversation with your manager, it’s time to write a resignation letter, also known as a letter of notice. It should include:
You might also want to add a sentence or two explaining your reason for leaving and thanking your manager for their support during your time in the role. You don't have to, but it's a nice touch and helps maintain a positive relationship. You might need them for a reference (or something else) down the line.
One final point: don't submit your notice letter until you've spoken to your line manager, which we'll cover shortly.
Need help writing your letter of notice? Check out our resignation letter examples.
A letter of notice isn't an opportunity to vent about how much you dislike the company, your job, your line manager, or your colleagues.
If you have specific grievances, save them for your exit interview. Even then, try to keep them positive and solution-oriented. The last thing you want is to burn bridges with a former employer.
A typical notice period is about two weeks unless you have a non-compete contract or a similar arrangement with your employer. Keep in mind how much notice you can actually give will depend on your start date with your next employer.
Chances are your future employer will ask for a reference, so it makes sense to ask your current line manager or HR department if they'd be happy to provide one.
If you have a positive relationship with them, you might also ask for a recommendation on LinkedIn.
Offer to help with the transition however you can, whether that's sitting in on interviews for your replacement, holding handover meetings, or documenting your ongoing tasks. Doing so takes pressure off your employer and leaves a strong final impression.
After you've handed in your resignation, you might feel a little less motivated than usual. Resist the urge to coast and count down the days until your notice period ends. Otherwise, you risk leaving your team with a heavy workload of incomplete tasks, which is a guaranteed way to burn bridges.
On your final day, write a goodbye message to your coworkers to let them know you're moving on and thank them for being great colleagues during your time with the company. You might also want to include your contact details so you can stay in touch after you've left.
Feel ready to hand in your notice? Check out our advice on how to make your next career move. If you want to keep your options open, submit your resume so we can match you with the right roles.
Michael Page Is One of the leading recruitment firms in the U.S. Specializing in Recruiting Roles Across a Variety of Sectors for Over 40 Years. With Offices Across the US, Our Consultants Are Experts in Their Field of Work, Providing Organizations ...
