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This article interested me because in today's economy very few people would want to learn about this choice and I personally only know one or maybe two ways of actually quitting a job. It is interesting but the advice is probably not much sought after nowadays.
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Maybe it's because I quit my job several months ago, but lately I've been connecting with a lot of other people who have just quit or are on the verge of it. Reasons for taking the plunge vary widely, of course. But oddly, approaches to announcing the decision don't seem to be nearly as diverse. Many quitters more or less slink quietly out the door, without fully articulating why they're leaving; a smaller but still sizable number tend toward grandstanding as they exit, unable to resist the urge to preach or point the finger. Neither is a good way to end a working relationship, no matter what kinds of conditions you may be fleeing. Besides, allowing yourself the easy way out -- whether silence or soapbox -- is an awkward first foot forward on your new path. It sets the wrong tone.
Quitting is obviously not for everyone in this tough economic climate. But if you do decide to quit, what's the best way to go about it? The simple answer is with style -- but without the flair. Here's how:
1. Make clear the decision is about you, not everyone else. This is your choice, justifiable and dead-right as it may be. Take responsibility for it. Articulate your reasons rather than leave people guessing, but frame them in terms of what you need at this juncture in your life. Remember that others still need -- and want -- what your soon-to-be-former workplace offers.
2. Emphasize continuity. If you can retain a working relationship with your employer (freelancing, consulting, etc.), by all means do. Make your desire for that clear when you give your notice. If that doesn't fit what you're doing next, stay connected in other ways, such as real-world and online social settings, professional organizations, and occasional visits to your old stomping grounds. All of this can -- and should -- be on your terms, but when it comes to quitting a workplace, cold turkey is a dead fish.
3. Acknowledge how others will be affected. At the very least, your departure will mean a temporary increase in work for other people, and it might mean much more. Talking about it openly makes people less likely to stew. Of course, dwelling on it too much could suggest that you think the place will fall to pieces after you leave, and that's grandstanding of the worst sort.
4. Write about it. Life-changing decisions need to be expressed in more deliberate and thoughtful ways than resignation letters and even heartfelt discussions with coworkers permit. Allow yourself the luxury of framing what you've done in clear, considered written language, even if a spouse or a close friend is your only audience. The short-term presence of mind it gives you is alone worth it, and the long-term value is real, you'll see. My own reflection ("I Just Quit My Job ... Am I Crazy?"), written the day after I gave notice, eventually gave rise to this weekly blog.
Good luck to you, whether you're quitting or staying where you are. Your considered thoughts about it are welcome right here, for the benefit of everyone wrestling with these tough decisions.
http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/demaio/2009/06/how-to-quit-your-job-with-styl.html
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