Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Resigning - Do I tell them why?
(OP)
In the past, when I've resigned, it's been driven by things like severe reduction in health care, or just normal career growth move.
While it is a career growth move in this case, the main reason I was even looking is because these guys didn't seem to know what to do with me. I sucked it up for a year but now I've been presented with a better offer.
If I were to tell them why, this is what I would probably say:
It seems that, when I first hired on here, management had no clear idea as to what role I was expected to fill. This has left me struggling to find ways to be effective and questioning my perceived value to [WITHELD].
I have now been with [WITHELD] for over a year and, while things have started to improve, I still find myself unsure regarding any real prospects for long term career growth.
Meanwhile, another company has come forward with a generous offer for my services and I have decided to accept.
My last day of employment will be [DATE].
never really quit due to bad management before...any thoughts?
--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein





RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
I would not word it as you have written. I would keep it simple and just state that you are resigning, and your date of final employment will be xx/xx/xx. You never know whether or not things may change, and you may someday want to return to that company for work. Management changes. Turnover happens. Don't burn any bridges by writing why, even if it's honest.
Now, when they invariably ask, then you can simply state a tactful message along the lines of what you have written, but I would not put it into your resignation letter. It is unnecessarily opening up a can of worms.
-Tony Staples
www.tscombustion.com
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Keep it simple like SMS and TStaples indicated. Head the warning about the future that Civilperson indicates.
Afterall, if you are leaving because of management issues, anything else in the resignation letter wouldn't be understood the way you would like it to.
Good Luck!
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Always take the high road!
-Tony Staples
www.tscombustion.com
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
However, with much respect I disagree with giving information to the HR person. Here is why:
1) Giving information may not actually help your colleagues
2) The HR person will report what you say to management
3) If you have any good ideas that could help the company, don't give them for free. Wait until you are no longer an employee and can charge them for these ideas
There was a similar forum a while back
thread732-168154
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
===========
I have recently been contacted by a nearby aircraft modification facility who asked if I would be interested in becomming their staff structural DER.
While I appreciate the opportunity you have given me, this offer is too good not to accept.
My last day of employment will be [DATE].
==========
Then, no parting shots....just walk away...
--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
As for the HR debrief, I have tried to be honest with HR, but quite honestly you can burn bridges by saying the wrong thing to them as well, and they are every bit as likely to rationalize, or twist the results of the intereview. I would probably just decline the exit interview.
-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Just the facts, along the lines of "I hereby tender my resignation and 2 week notice (or however long yours is) as such my last day of work will be XX/YY/ZZ.
"
The last paragraph you had is quite nice, thanking them for the opportunity they've given you.
Even when I quit from a job as a drug store cashier, which I'd had to take while waiting for an engineering position, I still kept it very cordial. This despite the fact they'd screwed me over and I had plenty to say!
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
I only passed trough that experience once and despite everybody knew that I was leaving the company (and in fact leaving the country), in my resignation letter I didn't mention any of that.
And as said by others, you will eventually go back to the same company and after some years, persons will only remember what is written, all the rest will become fuzzy.
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
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RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
I've always thought his letter was just about perfect and his attitude couldn't be beaten. Don't explain. Don't elaborate. Just maintain a classy non-confrontational exit.
David
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
www.muleshoe-eng.com
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
The harder I work, the luckier I seem
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Don't tell 'em why you're leaving. The HR Director is paid big bucks to figure that out. Don't make it easy for that <uncomplimentary words deleted>.
Don't thank anyone. You'll piss off the ones you forget.
Don't accept a counteroffer. You'll be first out when it's convenient for them.
Resist all attempts at arranging an exit interview. If you are forced to attend, say nothing. If you are coerced to speak, say nothing in the fewest words possible.
Write nothing, especially as email. If coerced, write nothing in as few words as possible.
Be polite, be gracious, be silent, be gone.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
corus
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Remember, even though you are goping to a new (and better) position, there will come a day when you decide to leave there as well. Once you start looking for a new job then, how you performed and left your present company will come back into play at interviews. References (especially the ones that previous empolyers give telling what a good engineer you were, how plesent/nice a person you were and how it was a shame you left) can be golddust to the people who have interviewed you, be they engineers or HR.
Leave with people wishing you well not cursing your very existance
Kevin Hammond
Mechanical Design Engineer
Derbyshire, UK
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
I know, that's a terrible thing to say, but that's a large part of why I'm leaving.
--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Believe it or not, this puts you at a bit of an advantage when it comes to subseqent interviews. Firstly, remember that not every job you have is a good job, and in terms of career and personal growth, one bad job (with all the backstabbing etc you have mentioned) that YOU have used to your advantage (learned from and moved on, shows that you have personal drive) will impress people at a later date.
Be honest about what happened to you at your present company without being sarcastic/derogatory. Explain how it helped you develop and you are using it to show the interviewer what a 'go-getter' you are. This approach is usually more than enough in the interview to show the interviewer that it is not worth him/her contacting this company for a reference. (If they do, then you probably don't want to work for them anyway.
PS On the subject of honesty (and that to me is probably the most important thing in an interview....there is nothing wrong with admitting that you don't know something or you have a bad experience, so long as you can show that you have used it to your advantage) as my father always says...'When you lie you have a lot of work to do remembering who knows what and who knows where etc, but when you tell the truth you need only worry about what you are talking about'
Kevin Hammond
Mechanical Design Engineer
Derbyshire, UK
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Bill
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
But definitely tell them in person when you hand them the letter. Speak in a nice, calm tone and don't let on how freakin' excited you are to be moving on to something better...
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
ttuterry - How to resign in my opinion goes as follows:
1. Type up a letter with the elements described by other posters. Just the facts, date of your last day, thank them for the opportunity, and sign.
2. Make a copy of the letter.
3. Approach your supervisor and ask to speak in private. Hand the letter to your supervisor and re-iterate whats in the letter. Don't get caught up in trying to apologize for leaving or gloating that you are leaving. Just that you are and the date.
4. File away the copy of your letter.
5. Take a brief vacation.
6. Start your new job.
If your company does an exit interview with you and HR, careful not to get caught in the trap of bashing management. HR will relay everything you say to management. Remember you may want to return to this company in a couple of years doing the same job for a 20% raise.
Good luck.
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
The notice period is graually going the way of the dodo in some companies/industries since as soon as you hand in your resignation you get walked out of the building. You may want to check if this applies in your place!
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Two years ago, our most recent "Employee of the Year" resigned. His notification was a one line email to the Division Manager (cc to HR I believe), "I am notifying you of my intent to terminate employment, effective XXXX".
Can't get much simplier than this.
You can always provide more info, if desired, if/when "the boss" asks you why.
AHowever, keep in mind that if there are reasons for leaving other than "a whale of an opportunity just came up", then one of several things has already occured:
(a) you didn't make management aware of a existing problem,
(b) management didn't listen, or
(c) management didn't have the capability of addressing the problem.
Bear this in mind when deciding how forthcoming to be.
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
All they want is something signed by you that says you are leaving voluntarily in case you decide to file for unemployment. But that letter will be on file forever, probably long after most of the management staff is gone.
The exit interview is another matter. I see nothing wrong with telling them you got a better offer, but I'd avoid any specific criticisms.
Also, if you signed an employment agreement and/or non-disclosure/non-compete agreement, you may be obliged to tell them where you are going. But I still wouldn't put it in your resignation letter.
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
You will need your former boss in the future for a PE application, job reference, and especially a security clearance.
NOw, very important that you make sure you clean up your C:\ drive and have all personnal belongings (files, books or other) out of there before you hand that resignation letter, they could lock your computer and drive you out the door in 15 minutes.
It happened before, they hand you two empty boxes, a security guard over your shoulder and out. Be ready to go, NOW, some employers take it pessonally.
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Here is President Richard Nixon's resignation letter.
Many consider it very good example of brevity.
http:/
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
Thanks to all for your advice. In the end, I discovered a couple of things:
1) They are under just as much pressure to "be professional" in their response as I was in resigning (seriously, I was half expecting to be "fired for quitting")
2) Even though I did nothing but state I was leaving and "thank them for the opportunity", everyone here knows exactly why I am really leaving.
It seems there are no secrets and it was mearly an exersize in keeping up appearances.
--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
-- Albert Einstein
RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?
One other possibility that could happen in the future is you could cross paths with your current manager at company ZX if you remain in the same field. So being professional is the best thing to have done. It can be a small world is very specific industries.
Best of luck to you at the new job.
Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 2.0 & Pro/E 2001
XP Pro SP2.0 P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
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