Leaving a job. Overview from A to Z.

Changing a job means not only finding a new position and comparing different job offers, but it goes hand in hand with some official steps towards your current employer.

When quitting your job by a resignation letter it is important to have in mind that there is a notice period, often lasting for 2 months or more. Often, the notice period starts on the first day of the following month, which means delivering your resignation letter in written form to your employer or supervisor at the end of the month. Your notice period starts in the next month.

Before you decide on leaving your current employer, it is good if you have the chance to talk to your supervisor, to identify if there is anything that can be done to fix the relationship before you decide to eventually finally resign.

Providing your employer with a resignation letter is typically a definite step with no turning back, so you should make sure you've seriously considered other options prior of doing so.

The resignation letter is always made in two copies – one for your employer and one for you. Both copies must be signed by you and your employer.

Once you decide to leave your job, your supervisor should be the first one to know. You should inform him as a first one and in person. It’s very probable that he will ask about your reasons for leaving. It’s good to mention the real reasons formulated in neutral tone without needless emotions, threats or claims for salary increase. Good communication and fair approach make the whole process easier. During your notice period you will attend one last interview where HR manager will ask you about your reasons for leaving, your satisfaction while working for the company and also your future plans and expectations.

When leaving a company, your employer will give you a note about working for them and also record of years you worked for them. In several countries, you can request a  "Qualified Proof of Work" or similar document, not only outlining the work and your main tasks,  but also containing grades. See e.g. Germany on this.

There are also other ways how to resign from a job and that is by agreement, immediate resignation or resignation within probation period. A note for the Slovak Republic: All forms are listed in Labour Code in paragraphs 59 – 72.

Before you resign from your job, think for a while and find out if you really have a reason for doing so:

- Do you feel that in your current job you stagnate and have no opportunity to develop or show your potential?

- Work system doesn't suit you and you see no future there from long-term perspective?

- Were you offered a better or more convenient job?

- Do you feel that you need a change in your life? Do you have a particular idea how this change should look like and your current employee doesn't meet that idea?

- Have you been facing unsuitable work conditions or atmosphere for longer period of time?

If your answer to one or more questions above was „yes“, it is about the time to think of changing your job.

When searching for a new job and looking for your new career direction, read through the following questions and try to find answers to them:

1.What do I expect from my new job? What is my idea about it?

2.What are my requirements and needs?

3.What should my work be like to make me happy to go there?

4.What do I want to achieve in my new job? Do I look for promotion or learning more new things or do I want to be in certain positive stereotype for a while?

5.Am I ready for change that comes naturally with a change of job? E.g. new team, new daily routine, different working hours, different working procedures, …?

Last but not least:

- Do not badmouth your boss or colleagues, it never gives a good impression
- Do not burn bridges, you might need the company for reference and maybe one day you might want to return back
- As one door closes, another opens. Leave all the negative aspects behind and look forward to starting fresh having your expectations and requirements clearly set.


GOOD LUCK!