How to Resign Verbally

Ask for a private meeting with your supervisor when resigning.

Submitting a verbal resignation requires careful thought and planning. You should be respectful while stating your intention to resign and discuss any concerns you may have regarding the remainder of your tenure at your job. While a written resignation is preferred, circumstances may prevent you from writing and submitting a resignation letter in a timely manner. Follow a few basic guidelines to help ensure that your verbal resignation is concise and effective.

Instructions

1. Ask to speak to your supervisor privately. Choose a time when you know he won't be preoccupied or under extra stress. Avoid submitting your resignation early in the morning when your boss may be overwhelmed with demands or at the end of a day on Friday.

2. Explain to your supervisor that you will be leaving the company. Tell him the last day that you will be working.

3. Thank your supervisor for his support and guidance during your time at the company.

4. Tell your supervisor that you intend to fulfill all of your remaining obligations and will assist in training other employees to take over your workload, if desired. Offer to prepare a list of the status of current projects to assist your supervisor.

5. Offer to help interview candidates for your job and train new employees if they're hired while you're still with the company.

6. Write a formal letter of resignation after you deliver your verbal resignation. A written letter provides a record of your resignation and provides an official notification of your last day. Some companies may require a written notice of resignation in addition to a verbal resignation.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice your resignation speech before meeting with your supervisor. Practice will help you ensure that you cover key points and don't become distracted when delivering the resignation.

• If your supervisor is emotional, expect that he may become angry or frustrated at the news. Practice calmly reiterating that you have given the matter much thought, have decided that resigning is the best course of action for you and that have every intention of fulfilling all of your work obligations in the days remaining until your last day of work.

• Avoid turning the resignation into a negative experience. Quantum Leap Solutions suggests focusing on the highlights of the new experience rather than on the negatives of your current job.

References

• Quantum Leap Solutions: The Resignation
• Quintessential Careers; Resigning with Class; Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

Resources

• The Ladders; How to Write an Effective Resignation Letter; Lisa Vaas; October 2010