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Resigning - Do I tell them why?
16

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?

I had a similar situation once. I told them basically what you had written. I had also kept email records asking them for work and my concerns. I was honest. They thought it was all BS and made up, but I didn't care. Look out for yourself (and family).

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

4
Joe,

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?

2
Give nothing but the dates you will be leaving and a forwarding address for mail. Perhaps a general expression of thanks for the opportunities. NEVER BURN BRIDGES BEHIND YOU, the future may hold a surprise return.

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

Just politely say you found a offer you could not refuse. What would writing that note really accomplish? Chances are they will just rationalize it away, and you will be considered the guy with a case of sour grapes for no reason, or the the guy who could just never quite fit in to the team, or even that lousy b*@$# Joe, who we should never have hired in the first place, good riddance.

-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

(OP)
Good advice guys, thanks....sometimes, the smartest thing is knowing when you need "another pair of eyes" to look it over.

--
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds
                                          -- Albert Einstein

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

Leaving a company and presenting the resignation always carry a lot of mental emotion and some adrenlin which can fog your mind.

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?

I agree with all who said to keep it simple.  Reason for resignation on the letter should be avoided.

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

Some companies have a verbal forumn where an HR person may debrief you as you leave.  Its the time for you to help others in your situation, not a time to berate others in your department.  Take a high road out.

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

dcasto summed it up best! (A star for you!)

Always take the high road!

-Tony Staples
www.tscombustion.com

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

dcasto and Tony make good points about taking the high road.

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?

(OP)
Ok, I think some good point were made about it being ultimately pointless to point out any problems as I'm leaving.  So, I'll go with something like this:

===========
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?

I like it, just be prepared for questions like "what can we do to get you to stay?"  That has happened to me most every time I changed jobs. I firmly believe that once you have made up your mind it is a mistake to change it and accept a counter offer. If you do, you basically become a target, are considered disloyal, and will be the first to be let go in the event of cut backs. Have a gracious answer ready, like "Thanks I am flattered, but I have committed to this move and it would not be right to back out on them now."

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?

I would think twice about giving any reason or saying where you are going.

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?

joekm, I'm inclined to not even mention the specifics about the offer from the other company.  Just mention the fact that you are resigning, the final date, thank them about the opportunities they've given you, then close off with a comment about your willingness to offer them a smooth transition.

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

I second whyun in his oppinion. There is no added value to say in the letter that you got another offer and it was too good to let go and so on. In your resignation letter you should keep it to the minimum demanded by law and put a general "thank you for the opportunities" phrase.
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?

A star for everybody, the less said the better.  HR is just management's lap dog, or that is how I have experienced it.

==========================================
Business Card     http://mech.e.tripod.com
__________________________________________
Cycle Heaven.......www.tailofthedragon.com

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

I've kept in contact with past employers and friends their, and believr it or not, after I had a candid exit interview, my friends said changes were made.  Now, the changes may have been in the works, but something good came out of it.  Now, my points were not whiney things, facts on salaries (i even downloaded salary data for them). No personal attacks on people.  Report on systems and changes in them.

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

A good friend of mine was miserable at the company we worked at.  He resigned with a letter that said "I have decided to leave to pursue other opportunities.  Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this team.  My last day will be _________".  He asked me to read it and I couldn't believe that he wasn't slamming the idiots that had made is life hell for 6 months.  His response was that his revenge was for them to have to finish the project without him.  Three years later I ran into him in the halls and he was back as a consultant and happy as he could be.

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?

4
Don't tell 'em where you're going.  They may poison the well.  I am not kidding.

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?

In the UK I think you're obliged to tell them where you are moving to so that they can pass on the necessary forms to the new employer for tax and national insurance purposes. You can always ask for the forms to be sent to your home address, but then you never know if your new employer will think you left under a cloud and then wonder why. Other than that I'd follow Mike's advice and tell them as little as possible. At my last job I just sent an email to the HR, manager and his boss, saying "I am terminating my contract of employment. My last day of employment will be ..". It's enough to say. I think my exit interview went along the lines of my boss saying 'you could have made more of this job if you'd made an effort'. I walked out of the interview.

corus

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

Just a quick note about something that I don't think has been mentioned.

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?

(OP)
Good advice prohammy and, my reputation at prior positions probably did help me get my next gig.  However, I don't know if I would ever list this place as a reference for a couple of reasons.  One, the turnover rate is fairly high.  Secondly, these people will smile at you to your face and rip you to shreds behind your back.  I've seen it happen to several engineers here and I can only assume it's happening to me as well.  In any event, I wouldn't want to rely on these people for an objective opinion.

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?

Joe,

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?

MikeHalloran gets my vote.

Bill

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

To add to this post, what is the best way to resign? Should you send your immediate supervisor a letter or go speak to him/her in person? Would an e-mail work? I am looking to leave my job soon and was just curious how to go about it as this is currently my first job out of college.

RE: Resigning - Do I tell them why?

I always think you should type up a very short, businesslike letter stating you are resigning and the date it will be effective.  Date it and sign it.  I think most companies keep these for your file.

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?

All wonderful advice so far which I agree with.

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?

If you're in a large enough company you may want to consult HR policies and procedures as they may cover this.

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?

Simpler is better.

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?

I would put as little in writing as possible.  Just tell them when your last day will be and how much you've enjoyed working there.  

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?

I'll add my two cents,
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?

(OP)
Well, I "pulled the trigger"

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?

Good for you Joe.  It sounds like everything turned out well.

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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