"Why do I have to do both?" you may ask. The reason is that the oral resignation is just the setup for the written one. The written resignation is the official document that states that you are really leaving this time---no fooling.
The oral resignation takes place behind closed doors between you and your immediate supervisor. Make an appointment and explain that what you have to tell him requires his full attention. It's best to have this meeting toward the end of the day. This way, your boss can get used to the idea away from the office. During the meeting, simply state that you are leaving, and hand your boss your written resignation. Let the resignation letter do the rest. Remember the old adage, "Never complain, never explain."
Here are two examples of resignation letters:
Plain and Simple
(Today's date)
Dear (Boss person),
I, (Your name), hereby resign my position as (Your position) at (Company's name).
Sincerely, (Your signature) (Your name)
Polite and Proper
(Today's date)
Dear (Boss person),
I have accepted an offer with another firm and have decided to tender my resignation as of today. My last day will be (date 2 weeks from today). This decision has nothing to do with the exceptional opportunity you have provided for me here. You and the company have been more than fair with me, and I genuinely appreciate all of your support.
I wish (company) continued success, and I want to thank you for allowing me to be a part of your team. Please feel free to contact me at any time if I can be of further assistance in helping with a smooth transition.
Sincerely, (Your signature) (Your name)
At this point, there are three common questions that people have:
1. What if my boss insists that I give her my reasons for leaving? 2. What if my boss makes a counteroffer? 3. How much advance notice do I have to give?
Here are your answers:
1. If your boss insists that you tell him your reasons for leaving, keep your answers brief and positive. Explain that you enjoyed the opportunities and the growth you experienced at this job, but that the new job will help you advance further on the path you want to take. Resist the temptation to be snotty and say something like, "Evil pigs told me to do it" (even if it's true). You have to plan your answers in advance, so anticipate some of the questions your boss might ask. One possible question is, "Do you have any suggestions for improvement for me as a supervisor?" This is a trap! As tempting as it may be to immediately let the demons fly, resist and remain positive. If you don't have something nice to say, just keep it short and say, "No, nothing that I can think of." You may need a recommendation from this person, and the chances are good that you will her feelings.
There is a possibility that the moment you hand over your letter of resignation, you will be immediately escorted from the premises by a security guard. Isn't that nice? In fact, they may clean out your desk for you, too! What a thoughtful company. This is more likely to happen at companies with security issues (for example, those that deal with research and development or proprietary contracts). Therefore, if it does happen, don't take it too personally. They're just paranoid freaks.
2. Counteroffers. It is likely that your boss will accept your resignation in a calm and professional manner. He may even try to keep you around with an attractive counteroffer. Our advice: Turn it down. It doesn't matter how good it is; chances are, it will hurt you in the long run. In the eyes of the company, the fact that you offered a resignation makes you a disloyal employee. Should any cuts need to be made, your name will likely be at the top of the list. Accepting a counteroffer also makes you appear indecisive. It doesn't help your reputation with the company you were planning to go to, either.
3. Advance notice. You don't have to give more than two weeks' notice. Only offer more if you feel really comfortable with both your present employer and your future employer. Your boss may insist that you give longer notice because you're leaving at the worst possible time. Again, this is a trick. Any time is the worst possible time, because he has to find someone to take your place and reassign your work. However, you also have an obligation to your new employer to start within a reasonable amount of time. Two weeks is the standard, though it could be four weeks under special circumstances.
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