How to tell your boss you’re leaving

Goodbye can be the hardest word to say, and none more so when leaving your job.Be it for a new career opportunity, going travelling or just simply that you have fallen out of love with your current role, there are certain do’s and don’ts that apply when breaking the news of your farewell to your employer.

Be sure about what you’re doing

Before arranging a meeting with your current boss to tell all, it’s best to know the full details of your next career move. It can be a tad awkward having this meeting, only to find that your new career opportunity has now suddenly disappeared! Leave it until your new role is near enough set in stone for you to move into.Do remember, it is important to have this conversation prior to a reference request being sent out to your current employer, as this is never the ideal way for your manager to find out the news.

Be honest

In your resignation letter, it’s best to be polite and truthful about the situation. Be direct about the reasons why you are leaving and what you hope to do.This gives your workplace a better idea of when to recruit someone else into the role you are leaving, and whether they need to address any issues once you’ve gone. The vast majority of bosses will understand your decision regardless, and will appreciate the honesty.

Plan ahead

When looking for a career break to go travelling, your manager is a human and will understand that we all have dreams and aspirations. There may be an opportunity for your role to be free to come back to upon your return, so it’s key to remain on good terms. Let your manager know as soon as possible so they can start planning to move your workload or clients.

Don’t burn bridges

Remember to thank your manager for the opportunity to work at your current role, regardless of whether your experience at the company has been positive or negative. It’s always best practice to show your appreciation for giving you a place to work and a chance to further your career.Always remember that this is the Isle of Man. We all know about Manx whispers and how quickly word spreads on the Isle, so try not to burn bridges when leaving any role.Obviously you may wish to launch into some Hollywood style speech to tell your Gordon Gekko of a boss what for, but these consequences can be dire. A bad reference and word of mouth can cause a great deal more problems for you in the long run.Finally, don’t make a scene at your own leaving party. Emotions will run high and you may feel you can finally tell that co-worker you fancy how you feel, or tell the person you’ve been sitting next to for the last 4 years just how annoying they really are but just remember you are only leaving the company, not necessarily the Isle of Man, and these actions can live long in the memory whether you like it or not. 

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