Things to Consider Before You Resign

Many employees leave to set up their own business or to start a family. Others resign due to lack of further professional growth opportunities. But whatever the reason, be sure you are clear about it.

With a little careful planning and readjustment of career goals, saying ‘I Quit’ might turn out to be the best decision of your life.

Here are a few things you need to consider before you resign:

1. Reason for Leaving
Have a very clear idea about why you are choosing to leave. Perhaps you want to follow other career aspirations or you want to take up another better paying job. Maybe, you are trying to achieve a better sense of balance between your professional life and your personal life.

Many employees leave to set up their own business or to start a family. Others resign due to lack of further professional growth opportunities. But whatever the reason, be sure you are clear about it.

Consider and then reconsider the decision to leave for at least a few weeks (if possible even a few months) before handing in your resignation letter. This will prevent you from making rash or impulsive choices, you might regret later.

2. Change in Financial Status
The choice to leave will affect both your current and future financial status. Your financial status might change for the better. But leaving a job might also jeopardize your overall financial stability in the short term.

Be prepared for this. Things like health insurance payments, retirement fund, mortgage repayment obligation, credit card debts have to be considered while deciding the right time to leave.

If you are leaving to start a small business, you may often run short of money. Be prepared to cut your expenses and forgo luxuries like eating out at nice restaurants, visiting a salon regularly or taking a vacation.

If necessary speak to a professional investment manager or investment counselor to understand how your decision to quit will affect your financial health status.

3. Saying Goodbye to Friends and Co-workers
Human beings are social creatures. To a large extent our co-workers fulfill our socialization needs. Over time many co-workers become friends.

You promise to stay in touch with your friends at work but the truth is, after you resign, time and distance will take its toll on such friendships. This is natural.

If you are leaving to start a home business or to raise children, be prepared to face a sense of emptiness and loneliness that comes from sheer lack of adult conversation.

Take up new challenges to overcome these feelings. Cultivate a new hobby, join clubs that meet every week or month, or become a part of organizations that run volunteer based conservation projects or community programs.

4. Support Available
Remember to discuss your decision to quit with your family and close friends. Try to bring them on board.

Are you the primary income source in the family? Do you have a spouse or children who depend on your earnings? In this case, you need to ensure that your family is prepared to deal with possible changes in your financial status.

Setting up a business comes with its share of stress and struggles. It takes time to establish a business and build up a new network of clients. You will need the support, understanding and encouragement of family and friends during the initial struggle period.

5. Additional Responsibilities
Leaving to take up a better paying job? Get a clear and proper job description. Think about the additional work responsibilities at the new job, and the additional demands. Be certain you are ready and willing to fulfill new commitments.

Handing in the resignation letter is often a huge life changing decision. Therefore, you need to consider many things and be ready to face the consequences.

Do not rush into anything. Take time and make sure you are leaving for the right reasons so that your resignation is one of the best decisions of your life.