Depending on their emotional state at the time of your conversation, your manager may become immediately upset, or even furious that you are resigning. They may feel a sense of betrayal, as well as anxiety about how they will manage the workload without you.
The best-case scenario—and honestly, the most common reaction—is that your boss will accept your resignation with understanding and sincere congratulations. Your manager will be happy to see that you're advancing your career and moving on to something bigger and better.
And, bosses all too often take quitting quite personally. Many bosses will interpret quitting as you abandoning them. In fact, many of my clients have experienced this very occurrence and find it quite traumatic.
Let me be clear: No, it is NOT selfish to quit your job for any reason. You are a free agent. You get to make the decisions that make the most sense for your career and your life, regardless of how that impacts others.
You can say something like: "I can't thank you enough for allowing me to grow my skills here, but, after much thought, I've decided it's time for me to move on. I've received another job offer that I plan to accept at the end of my two-week notice."
Remember, you're not obligated to tell anyone.
At the end of the day, it's your personal decision to tell your boss you're thinking about leaving your job. If you want to prevent damaging relationships or adding more stress at work, it's a good idea to speak up to your boss as soon as possible.
It's not just flattering that an old employer wants you back. It can be a sign of how much they truly value you, and that's worth its weight at any company, new or old. “They're coming after you and only you, and they're serious about making it work for you,” Kathy Robinson, an executive coach, said.
If you're quitting your job there is no guarantee that the job you find will be better. You may face similar issues in your new role that forced you out of your previous position -- whether that's conflict with bosses, not getting along with co-workers, or getting stuck in a rut.
Quitting every job because you think the grass is greener on the other side also won't make you mentally strong. There's no such thing as a perfect job and working hard to overcome workplace challenges could help you build muscle. But, don't be fool yourself into thinking that quitting a job you hate means you're weak.
Many professionals have a strong resistance to leaving a job that's not working out. Quitting is hard because it carries an implication that you gave up, did not try hard enough, or were not good enough to make it work.
People tend to adapt back
Quitting your job might make you happy — at first. But that feeling may not last long, says Sonja Lyubomirsky, distinguished professor of psychology and vice chair at the University of California, Riverside.
Feeling guilty about leaving a job is a totally normal reaction. It shows how much you care about the people impacted by your decisions, and how much you're invested. That's a strong reflection of your values.
Quiet quitting doesn't actually refer to quitting a job—it means completing one's minimum work requirements without going above and beyond or bringing work home after hours.
A common reason good employees leave is due to inefficient or unskilled management. All employees want others to hear and value their opinions, and they can become frustrated if their managers or company leaders are not open to their input.
Tell close colleagues in person.
It's fine to email or message most people you've worked with. However, have a personal conversation with any co-workers you're close to. This is especially important if your departure is going to have a significant impact on their working life.
If you've been in your job for more than 1 month, you must give at least 1 week's notice. It's best to resign in writing, so there's no argument about when you did it.
It's common courtesy to give at least one week's notice to your employer if you've been with your company for more than one month but less than two years. Consider giving two weeks' notice even if you've only been with your company for a few months.
In an ideal world, you should stay at each job for a minimum of two years. However, if you quickly come to realize you made the wrong choice when accepting a position, don't feel obligated to stay at the company until your two-year anniversary.
A recent survey showed that 80 percent of Great Resignation quitters regret their decision. Though many people left for better work-life balance and mental health, only about half of respondents were satisfied with these things in their new roles.
Why you may regret quitting. You may regret quitting a previous job because factors that led to you leaving your position no longer are important. Finding a better opportunity, pursuing a college degree, relocating or dealing with a personal or family matter may no longer influence your career decisions.
Career change is a gamble and it may sometimes lead to regret. Instead of panicking you should plan your next steps carefully and salvage the situation. Changing careers is a big decision and is usually a little bit of a gamble. You are not just changing jobs but also getting into a new line of work.
Should I talk to HR before quitting? Absolutely yes. While your choice to quit is completely yours alone, you should consider reaching out to HR before taking action to ensure your safety. Human resource representatives usually act as mediators between employees and supervisors.
Provide a basic explanation for your decision
Be sure to avoid negativity regarding your current company and instead focus on the potential for the future. For example, rather than saying "I felt like I couldn't grow here," say "I've decided to pursue a role in which I feel I can flourish," instead.
And this is consistent with leading research by Gallup. In one study of 7,272 U.S. adults, Gallup found that 50 percent of employees left their job "to get away from their manager to improve their overall life at some point in their career."