How to Quit Over the Phone

Its best to resign in person and quitting your job over the phone is not considered the best way. There are times when you can’t really resign in person, so quitting over the is the next best alternative for you. Remember if you are quitting over the phone, you may find it more difficult to recognise your boss’ reaction and your employer may not want to give you a positive reference for future employers. Lets find out about quitting a job over the phone.

If you intend to resign over the phone, there are a couple of things you might want to do first?

• delete all of your personal files from your computer
• take everything belonging to you
• say goodbye to your ex-colleagues
• check once again you have not left anything in your computer
• talk to your manager or supervisor
• Give a brief description of our reasons for leaving. Don’t go on too much about why you’re leaving, and certainly don’t speak badly about the company or your boss’ actions.
• It’s not the best way to quit with a leaving message. If you don’t want to talk to your boss or managers you can ring your office and leave a message. However this way will cost you a reference.

Remember to apologise for quitting and leaving your employer without cover. Remind them about your final check and personal belongings to be sent to you if there is anything left behind.  It is always good practice, and you employer might also request, that you give your notice in writing for their records.

So forget about quitting on the phone instead write a formal letter to leave your job gracefully.

How to write a resignation letter

Writing a letter of resignation can be tough. You are handing in your resignation for a reason – either you don’t like your job or you have be offered a better one.

So it’s going to be tough to try and write an amicable letter that won’t anger your boss. A lot of employers do take a personal interest in their staff and can take it as a personal failure if a valued member of staff leaves. Remember, they also have to report to their boss and explain why their team / department / office is a member of staff down.

Your aim when writing a letter of resignation should be to create a document which your boss can hold in his / her hand and feel absolved of any blame or fault over your departure.

Example of a resignation letter

It’s hard to come up with an example of a resignation letter, because like covering letters and CV or resumes, they are fairly personal documents. But there are some general points you can remember.

• Personal opening. You know your bosses name, so use it. Open your letter with Dear John, etc.
• Get to the point. Your opening sentence (and subject line) should be brief and to the point. Subject: Letter of Resignation
• Briefly state your reasons. Note the points in the previous section about this.
• Make sure you have tied up loose ends. If you have work that someone will need to take over, create a separate document to attach to your resignation later which lists important stuff like urgent work or passwords, etc.
• Offer to stay a reasonable amount of time. More often than not, it won’t be taken up on, but it is a good parting gesture to make. Offering time to train up a replacement (or hire one) is a good way for your employer to remember you (ie, as oppose to just walking out).
• End professionally. Thank your employer for your time with the company, stating how much you appreciate it.