NWR need advice - update in comments need more advice...

behsco90

I've been at my current job about 5ish months now, but it is not a good fit for me. I enjoy my coworkers but I just don't enjoy my job.

I got an offer for another job which I will take but I am afraid to quit my current job. I know it sounds stupid but it gives me anxiety....I've never quit a job after this short amount of time and in the interview I told them I would be there for at least a couple years, but I guess this thing probably happens all the time in the business world.

So in my letter I'm probably going to tell them that I got an amazing job offer that I can't refuse, which is true. I don't want to tell them I'm unhappy.

So I guess I need some reassurance that my boss won't be upset, and even if they are, what can they do? I'm leaving.... I just don't want the last 2 weeks to be awkward.

Also, I've only quit one job before, so I'm not experienced by any means... what should I say when I hand my boss the letter? Do I tell them beforehand and then give them the letter later? Do I just come outright and say, I got a great job offer I can't refuse and it was a difficult decision but I had to take it?

Help please. I know I'm making a bigger deal of this than it should be, but it's just causing all sorts of anxiety.... I am just worried they are going to be mad that I'm leaving after such a short amount of time. Thinking about it makes me want to throw up...

Edited for typo

MobKaz

I would keep your letter of resignation short and simple.  I would start by stating that you are notifying them of your resignation effective XX/XX/2014.  Explain that you have been offered a new opportunity and have decided to accept it.  Thank your current company for the opportunity to work for them.  You can even add (if true,) that you have gained some valuable experience during your tenure with them. 

I personally would not go into further detail with the letter.  If HR requests an exit interview, you can discuss objective particulars at that time.  Your anxiety is being caused by turning a business transaction into a personal one.  This is standard and expected practice for any business. 

Good luck in your new position!

jenna8984

I have never given a letter until requested. I have always gone into my boss's office, closed the door, and said "Unfortunately at this time, I'm putting in my two week's notice. I will do everything I can to help make the transition smooth". Sometimes they ask for a letter for my file and sometimes they just say ok. If they do request one, like Mobkaz said keep it very short and only work related stating your last day and thanks for the opportunity. Don't feel bad and don't make it personal. 

kms6169

I just went through the same thing less than a month ago.  I asked if I could talk with my boss for a few minutes, shut the door to his office and let him know that I was officially giving my two weeks notice.  I honestly loved my job, my coworkers, my management, but it did not coincide with my career goals and what I wanted in the future.  

After I said that I was leaving, my boss asked questions relating to why/how/what, etc and I was honest.  I let my direct manager know the reasons for leaving (money, opportunity for promotion, personal growth, etc) and after that meeting, provided a short and concise letter of resignation that only, as PP stated, thanked the company for the opportunity to work for them and stated my last day.  

There is no need to give extraneous details in the resignation letter.  I would recommend, however, giving your direct boss verbal substantiated reasons given that your overall experience in the position was not poor.  My experience was that I wanted others to succeed in the position, so stating my reasons for leaving with my boss was not going to, so to speak, extradite me from the company in the future or burn any bridges.

holyguacamole79

I did this a few years ago. I simply told my boss that I had received another offer and I had decided to accept it. I wrote a 2 sentence resignation letter. It was awkward, but just rip it off like a Band-Aid and you'll be fine.

blabla89

Congratulations on the new job offer!

Chances are, if your current job is really not a good fit, then your boss knows it too (not that you aren't good at your job - just that it's not an ideal fit for the position). People leave jobs for all sorts of reasons. You need to do what's best for you, and your boss will understand that, even if they're frustrated about having to hire a replacement.

Keep the letter short and simple and don't include the details of your offer. You can give your boss a little more explanation, in whatever degree of detail you feel comfortable sharing. Say that you're very grateful for all the opportunities your current company has given you, and especially for your boss's mentoring, but you have received another offer that seems to good to pass up. Practicing what you want to say and responses to questions you might be asked will definitely help the conversation go more smoothly.

Good luck!

behsco90

Thanks ladies!  I know I'm over-thinking this...I just got to remember it's business and not personal.

JennyColada

I went through something similar: I quit my job after 8 months and right before holiday (I work retail so it's a big deal!). I thought my boss would be really upset and make the whole situation awkward for me. But really, she seemed happy for me. She was supportive and it was really not a big deal at all! But I was just like you and freaking out about it right before I did it!

lyndausvi

I quit a job after 3 months.  I hated the job.  The job was nothing like the description.  Not at all.     I was hired to be a supervisor/concierge for the club level.  What I did was run the club's food service.  First it was because they were down on staff.  Okay, I'm a team player and will help out.  Then 2.5 months later the manager wasn't even looking for a replacement.    I would have never accepted the job I was doing. Never.  I felt like I was lied to.

In my case I didn't have another job.   I was honest with them.  I told them that it was not a good fit for me.  I also explained how I was not doing anything I was told I would be doing.  After 6 weeks I had a meeting with my boss about the job. I was told in a another week or so I would be doing what I was hired for, but that never happened.   

  The entire time I stuck to my "it was not a good fit  excuse".  The only people I complained about my manager to was HR and the GM.  The GM found out I was leaving on my last day. He called me in his office apologizing for how I was treated.    He asked if I would reconsider if they found me a different position.  At that point I just wanted out.

behsco90

So I was planning on giving my boss my two week notice today, but I just found out they will not be in at all today. Should I just email them? I don't want this to drag out any longer and I know my new company was planning on me starting in two weeks... of course I'd really rather do it in person but yeah idk.

theartistformerlyknownas

behsco90 said:

So I was planning on giving my boss my two week notice today, but I just found out they will not be in at all today. Should I just email them? I don't want this to drag out any longer and I know my new company was planning on me starting in two weeks... of course I'd really rather do it in person but yeah idk.

Will they be available over the phone? That would be preferable to email. Then ask whether you should leave your written letter in their office or submit it to HR.

behsco90

lolo883 said:

behsco90 said:

So I was planning on giving my boss my two week notice today, but I just found out they will not be in at all today. Should I just email them? I don't want this to drag out any longer and I know my new company was planning on me starting in two weeks... of course I'd really rather do it in person but yeah idk.

Will they be available over the phone? That would be preferable to email. Then ask whether you should leave your written letter in their office or submit it to HR.

I'm not sure...I know they are visiting a few different clients today so I'd rather not call my boss while that's going on.

theartistformerlyknownas

behsco90 said:

behsco90 said:

So I was planning on giving my boss my two week notice today, but I just found out they will not be in at all today. Should I just email them? I don't want this to drag out any longer and I know my new company was planning on me starting in two weeks... of course I'd really rather do it in person but yeah idk.

Will they be available over the phone? That would be preferable to email. Then ask whether you should leave your written letter in their office or submit it to HR.

I'm not sure...I know they are visiting a few different clients today so I'd rather not call my boss while that's going on.

Can you email and say there's something you need to talk about and schedule a time to call you? They'll probably know what's up and find the time. "We need to talk" is breakup language in any scenario. :-p

behsco90

Haha good idea. Thanks!

wandajune6

I had to send the email last time I left a job. My boss was out of the office for client visits for a week and I wanted to give him 2 weeks notice. It wasn't ideal but it worked.

I simply emailed him that I needed to talk to him about something- then told him it was ok to call after hours if needed.

vikinganna87

You definitely shouldn't worry about leaving after only 5 months.  As others have mentioned, if it's not a fit, it's not a fit.  Later on it's easy to "spin" things on a resume.  As long as you have a good story to tell, there's no reason anyone should be worried about short employment stints, as long as you have longer ones too.

Giving your notice is never easy.  I agree it should be done in person.  I've never written a letter, but if you do, it should be handed to your boss with the expectation of having a conversation about it.  Be extremely polite and professional.  Try to think of some positive things to say.  As much as it seems like a good idea to give negative feedback, I would advise against it.  Even if they ask for feedback, just emphasize how this other offer couldn't be passed up. I've had exit interviews with HR and old bosses and even if they pretend to want to know about any negative experiences, they really don't.  They probably have heard it before and don't really care or would rather pretend it's not a problem.  Keep in mind that they still work at the company, so whatever negative you have to say about the company [even if it's delivered extremely delicately] makes them feel defensive about working there.

Your reputation is incredibly valuable.  If you stay in the same field or the same city, chances are that you're going to run into old coworkers and bosses again, for better and for worse.  Go the extra mile to ensure a smooth transition and keep in touch with anyone you like from this job; it'll be worth it in the long run.

Good luck and congrats on the new gig!