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There is no one reason that can define why people quit jobs. It could be triggered by a career growth plan, a bad boss, a strenuous environment at work, relocation or a personal reason. This list can never be exhaustive. However, at times, how you quit is more important than why you quit. A resignation or leaving a company does not have to be a bitter experience on both sides. You can make the separation amicable or at least decent by resigning gracefully. The way you handle your resignation says a lot about you and sometimes, it even defines your options in the long-term. Your conduct in the professional life can come back to haunt you at any time later too. So be very particular about how you say ‘I quit’.

Once you have decided to resign from your job, you need to devise a way of doing it. You cannot just go and announce it loudly to your boss and walk out. Keep the decision to yourself and make sure people are not talking about it in the office before you have informed your boss. Resign in person and not over an SMS or phone or even e-mail. That’s how cowards resign. Seek time with your boss and talk to him or her in person. The most professional etiquette says that you face your boss and have a talk. Go prepared with a written resignation letter and hand it over to your manager. Your manager would want to know the reasons that led to this decision of yours. Be polite, honest and diplomatic. Even if you have had a bad relationship with the boss and that is the main reason why you are quitting, you cannot say it point blank on the face. Say that you want to explore better opportunities outside the company and that you have made your mind to move on. While discussing your resignation, don’t reveal too much about your new employer. Be firm but tactful. If salary is the main reason, say that you are getting a better offer monetarily and in terms of career growth. Your boss might make a counter offer. Other than this, you also need to decide upon your last date at work mutually. 

Give your company appropriate time to find your replacement and offer to train the new hire while you are still around. Don’t leave without an appropriate notice period and never leave your previous employer in a lurch. Make all efforts to ensure that a smooth transition happens and there is no hassle in handing over work. In case, your employer is unable to find a replacement for you before you leave, do some work in advance for them. This will prove your sincerity and help you in future if you ever wish to return for employment to the same company.

The most important thing is that you don’t burn bridges behind you when you decide to quit. It is a small world and you never know when a bad professional relationship comes back to spoil your future career growth. Don’t bad mouth your boss among your co-workers because such loose talk travels fast. Remain calm and professional throughout your notice period. Don’t create a dramatic event out of your resignation. When you inform your co-workers also, make sure you do it in a professional manner and not as a way to score even with the company. You might need future references from the same company so ensure that you are creating a positive image of yourself.