/r/CareerGuidance: How Do I Gracefully Quit a Job I Just Got?

December 13, 2015

Timing is everything, especially when it comes to accepting a new job offer. But what happens when you accept the first offer you get, only to receive an even better offer a few weeks later? That’s exactly what happened to one Reddit user, who then consulted the Reddit community for advice.

(Photo Credit: Eva Blue/Flickr)

Do You Know What You're Worth?

Let’s Look at the Situation.

OP writes:

Earlier this year, I was unemployed and applied for numerous jobs. I went on many interviews. 3 weeks ago, I accepted the first job offer I received. That is my current job. I’m generally satisfied with it and get along with everyone at work. …However, yesterday I received a job offer from a different company offering substantially more pay.

The poster also says that the work, opportunities, company size, and industry are all essentially the same at both jobs. The only significant difference is pay.

So, How Do I Quit My Current Job?

OP, like most people, wants to stay on good terms with their current company. So how do you do it? What reason do you give for quitting? What do you tell your current company? And how much notice do you need to give before quitting?

Create a Resignation Letter.

Regardless of your situation, anytime you quit a job you should first create a thoughtful resignation letter to your current employer. You can print it on a cake, you can print it in a letter, but either way you need to provide one.

“A resignation letter can help you maintain a positive relationship with your old employer, while paving the way for you to move on. You never know when you might need that old employer to give you a reference,” writes Alison Doyle at About.com’s Job Searching site.

By providing a thoughtful, honest resignation letter, you can ensure that you stay on good terms with your current company. You never know, they might even offer you a matching salary if they really want you to stay.

What Reasons Do I Give?
First and foremost, you should be honest. You’re leaving Company A because Company B is willing to pay you more than Company A. You don’t necessarily need to name where you’re going, but be honest about the why. Career Coach Laura Simms provides a script for what to put in your letter.

At the end of the day, take the high road and be gracious. Thank your employer for the opportunity to work there, and include any relevant specifics such as “I enjoyed and was honored to be a part of the planning process. Thank you for that.” You can also ease the transition by asking your soon-to-be ex-boss what you can do to help before you go. An example of this would be to train your replacement.

How Much Notice Do I Need to Give?
The rule is to provide at least two weeks’ notice when you quit a job. Depending how long or short your time was at a given position, your employer may ask you to leave sooner. If that’s the case, politely thank them, knowing that you have (hopefully) done everything you can to make this the easiest transition for them as possible.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have tips for quitting a job that we missed? Comment below or join the discussion on Twitter!

Do You Know What You're Worth?

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