How to know when it's time to resign - and how to leave well

Have you ever seen a high-profile resignation in the news or on social media? Maybe it was a hedge fund manager who released a lengthy letter calling out their company’s leadership, or a manager who made a viral video announcing their departure. While these grand gestures can be attention-grabbing, they may not always be the best approach for your own career.

It's important to be mindful of when it might be time to move on from a role, whether it's due to a difficult team dynamic, a negative company culture, or other challenges. By paying attention to the signs and making a professional exit, you can avoid letting the situation deteriorate and potentially damaging your reputation.

Because when it comes down to it, while everyone loves the idea of a dramatic exit, the reality is that your career is worth more than that.

Related: How to be more confident at work according to Asia's female leaders

When to stay longer in a job

When thoughts of resigning come to you, take a quick internal look inside and see if there’s anything you can do to improve the situation.

Especially in the workplace, it can become a habit to look at things through a negative lens. Often, a change in perspective or an honest discussion can dissolve much of that tension.

When you have low-level disagreements or miscommunications with your manager, first see whether there’s a way to preserve the relationship.

It may simply be a case of understanding a different management style, and then working out how to manage it. Staying longer to work things out could help you strengthen your relationship with this person for the future.

However, once you’ve done all you can on your side, look for signs that resigning may be the only solution.

Related: How to resolve workplace conflicts: A guide for managers

How to know that it’s time resign from your role

Look out for these factors to tell you if it’s time to hand in your resignation:

You don't feel engaged. 

If you’re showing up to work every day feeling disengaged, this is a big sign that it’s time to leave. Even in leadership positions that look great on paper, a manager can become disengaged for a variety of reasons.

If you’ve noticed a lack of passion and proactivity in your role and can’t seem to find a way to get it back, a change may be what you need.  

The office has a hostile environment or culture.

Whether it’s a toxic manager, a dysfunctional team or impossible targets, it can be hard to recover once a working environment has turned negative.

Don’t feel obliged to stay in an overly negative culture or office environment. This becomes even more important if the stress and negativity affect your life outside of work.

There are no growth opportunities.

It’s normal to want to upskill, gain new responsibilities and grow within your career. If you feel you’ve reached the end of where you can within the company, you may need to look outside for your next big role. While company loyalty is a great value, keep an eye out for your career.

Another amazing opportunity comes your way.

Especially once you’ve reached a level in your career where you’ve become a specialist, companies will start to seek you out.

Evaluate offers that come your way fairly, and decide what constitutes an opportunity that you can’t turn down. Maybe it’s at a dream company, better working conditions for your lifestyle, or an exciting chance to lead a new team.

Related: How to handle the conversation about your resignation

How to resign on a good note

Once you decide to leave, it’s important to leave on a good note and communicate clearly. Speak with your manager and also prepare a resignation letter. Where possible, preserve your professional relationships.  

Before actually resigning, take one more look at your decision. If you’re leaving because of feeling undervalued, decide what, if anything, would make you stay in the role, versus your external options. What will you do if you get a counteroffer to stay with the current company?

Ensuring that you have clearly defined reasons for handing in your resignation will also make the actual resignation easier.  Above all, keep professionalism in mind, and make it a goal to resign gracefully.

Related: Resignation letter templates [2023 Update]

Find a positive

In delivering the message, think about the positives the job has brought you. Maybe focus on the good professional relationships you have, the new skills learned, or the stepping stone it’s delivered to your next role.

Even in the most challenging environment, focusing on the good things when you’re on your way out helps make you appear more professional and constructive.

Especially in smaller job markets, such as Singapore, or specialised industries, you never know who you might end up working with in the future.

Even some of the best resignation stories can end with an old manager coming into the picture later as a necessary reference, a future manager, or a network contact.

How to find your next job

Start by signing up for job alerts and getting new jobs that match your search criteria sent to your inbox. Rework your CV, contact a recruiter and start conversations with companies you want to work with.

Meanwhile, ensure that you are still present at your current job for as long as you’re able.  

When interviewing for your next role, if a future employer asks why you’re leaving, speak more about you than about them – focus on opportunities for growth, new opportunities, and what you want to accomplish in the future.

After all, dwelling on negative aspects of your current company or manager might make you seem petty or over-emotional – not great qualities in a key hire.

Consult with a recruiter who can help you find roles that match your requirements and the next step in your career. Look for places whose values match yours, and who clearly walk the talk regarding these values.

Recruiters have the advantage of communicating with both you and the employer, allowing you instant feedback on interviews and the hiring process.  

Leave professionally

Leaving a job can feel personal, especially if you have a strong sense of company loyalty, have built a great team, or worked on pivotal projects. However, when it’s finally time to leave, try to take emotion away from the equation.

The important thing now is to look forward – and towards your next role, and to succeed in the first few months of a job.

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