Once you hate your job, you cannot comfortably keep working there. The hate could result from an irritating coworker, a long commute, or long hours. If you hate your job, quit cause ultimately, nothing about that place would give you joy.
However, it is important that when leaving a job, you hate, you must not make your employer and coworkers hate you as well. You must know how best to resign from a job and this article serves as a guide to help you effectively resign from a job you hate without hassle.
Table of contents
- How to Resign from a Job you Hate
- #1. Be subtle
- #2. Avoid the rant
- #3. Write a resignation letter
- #4. Give at least two weeks’ notice
- #5. Ace your exit interview (if there is one)
- #6. Find your next job before you leave
- #7. Reflect on the job
- #8. Offer to help with the transition.
- #9. Prepare for leaving
- #9. Say goodbye to coworkers.
- #9. Inform your employer
- How to Resign from a Job you Hate Over the Phone
- How to Resign from a Job you Hate Through E-mail.
- Tips to Resign from a Job you Hate
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
- Recommendations
How to Resign from a Job you Hate
#1. Be subtle
When you are planning to resign from your job, you should not only be subtle but should also be discreet about it. Do not announce your plans to quit, even before you put in a resignation letter.
Have the courtesy of telling your employer about your decision to leave before telling those you work with. The other way around is very bad form. Some bosses would not want you telling all of your co-workers you have resigned to avoid emotions all over the place. Make sure to ask your boss how she would like you to notify the rest of the team.
#2. Avoid the rant
Your boss is going to want to know why you’re leaving your job. Instead of going on, talking about why you hate your current job so much and further destroying the relationship with your boss, it is better that you explain why you couldn’t resist your new job opportunity. Your boss will be more receptive when you present it that way.
#3. Write a resignation letter
Besides having a conversation with your boss, you would want to put your announcement down on paper so that HR has it on your record. Your resignation letter should include-
• A statement showing your intention of leaving your job
• The name of your office staff position
• The date of your last day, when you include the notice you must have put in
• Gratitude to your employer for hiring you
• An offer to train your replacement
• Well wishes for the future of the company
• Your contact info
#4. Give at least two weeks’ notice
With few exceptions, quitting a job you hate by walking out on the spot is not very nice. Even though you hate your job, follow due process. Timing is crucial for when you announce you want to leave your job.
Normally, two weeks’ notice is the standard time, but check to see if your company sets the standard time needed. If you want, you can offer to stay around and complete tasks to help train your replacement.
#5. Ace your exit interview (if there is one)
Depending on your employment, an exit interview could be conducted. Remember that an exit interview is not a medium for you to vent your anger. By having a positive conversation, you would freely ask your boss for a reference, which will benefit you when applying for future jobs.
#6. Find your next job before you leave
Before you quit your job, ensure that you already have a job. Do not make the rash decision of leaving your current job and delving into unemployment.
Though this might seem like an obvious first step before quitting a job you hate, most people make the mistake of not looking for a new job to keep them employed before quitting a job they hate.
Think about three months after you resign, how miserable you could feel. Make sure you find your next job before you leave a job you hate.
If you’re looking for a job, you need to know the 30 Best Job Search Engines Of 2023
#7. Reflect on the job
Before you decide to resign from a job you hate, think about what exactly you dislike about your job. When you think about it, maybe you can find a solution rather than hand in your resignation. Look for solutions to the hate you have built for your job before you resign.
#8. Offer to help with the transition.
Another way to leave on a positive note is to offer to help with the transition period before you leave. You might offer something specific. When you offer to help the company out, you could also enter the good books of your boss, for future purposes and a great reference.
#9. Prepare for leaving
Before you put in your resignation letter, consider staying for at least a few weeks, or months. Use this time to prepare yourself to reenter the job market and decide what type of employment you are seeking.
Update your online profile and make sure that you are ready to enter the market again. You can look out for jobs and send in applications during non-work hours. Also, try not to ask for a recommendation from your employer except you have given him notice you are about to leave the job.
Gather samples of your work to build your portfolio. A great portfolio would go a long way in getting you into those doors.
#9. Say goodbye to coworkers.
When resigning from a job you hate, do not forget the relationships you created. DO not just leave without telling the co-workers that you have resigned. That may leave bad blood with people who cherish you.
Consider sending goodbye emails to colleagues you work with. If possible, send individualized goodbyes to each person. This would go a long way in making them feel special.
#9. Inform your employer
When you were not working remotely, it is best that you inform your employer about your resignation in person. When it’s time for putting in notice, you need to tell your employer of your decision to resign.
The major aim is to leave on good terms, as you may need a future reference for external as well as internal positions that become available. You also need to keep that relationship with your employer open, so that even if you need something in the future, you would not hesitate to ask him. This is especially when you have tendered your resignation with HR. You must inform your employer personally. It leaves a good impression.
How to Resign from a Job you Hate Over the Phone
When you are about to resign from a job you hate, doing it over the phone should be the last resort. It leaves a poor impression and shows how nonchalant you are about due process. It is impolite.
If you cannot resign in person, do it by sending an official mail instead of calling your employer on the phone to say you have resigned.
Keep in mind that if you resign and you don’t plan on working any more days, it may cost you a good reference. It is also quite unprofessional, so avoid it as much as you can.
How to Resign from a Job you Hate Through E-mail.
Even though it is usually advisable to resign in person, you can also do it through the mail. However, if you work remotely, and there is possibly no way that you could go into the office to tender your resignation letter, you can do it through the mail.
If you want to resign through an email, ensure you do it correctly. That you are resigning through an email and not in person does not give you the leverage to be rude or use any form of language. Your language must be formal and straight to the point. Also, avoid vulgar words and the use of abbreviations.
Your first email might not get any response, Learn How to Write a Follow-up Email after no Response
Tips to Resign from a Job you Hate
There are some other things you should note when you plan to resign from a job you hate. Some tips are:
- Leave a pleasant atmosphere so your boss can hire you back if there is an opportunity to do so. Avoid being rude, ace your interview and avoid burning bridges between both of you.
- When you are asked to come for an exit interview, review sample exit interview questions to get an idea of what you’ll be asked during an exit interview. Also, look through the do’s and don’ts to get the general idea of acing your exit interview so that you can prepare in advance. When you are prepared, you can avoid being taken unawares.
- Take the time to write a personal email or note to the colleagues who supported you, and who you would like to keep in touch with. Do not forget to say goodbye to your colleagues and thank them in the most ways you know how. That way, in the future, you can always go back to them and keep the friendship blossoming.
- When you resign from your job, you may not be eligible for unemployment benefits. If you quit voluntarily, you may not be eligible at all. However, if you left for a good cause, you may be able to collect.
- Know your losses and plan for them. Your budget and savings would feel the impact of your resignation. Bills do not wait for you to get a job. They have to be paid. If you have no savings and are forced to use your credit card, you will soon feel anxious and start missing the paycheck that came with your previous job. On the other hand, having a sizable savings account buys you time to look for a job you like, without worrying about your rent, groceries, and gas money.
- Ask the Human Resources Department how long your healthcare and dental coverage will work after you have resigned. You may be eligible to get continued healthcare coverage through Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), but if that’s too expensive you can get private or individual coverage.
Conclusion
When you hate your job so much that you want to resign, one of the first things to do is to keep the complaints about the job to yourself.
You don’t want everyone knowing you hate the job (except they hate it as well). If the hate you feel can be sorted out, go to your company’s HR office and file an official complaint. If the hate you feel is personal, you can let it go, and move on to another job.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first step is to quit. You could also talk to a lawyer, take notes, sit down with HR. In addition, be honest when you resign, give 100 percent until the end, learn from the experience and move on.
Yes. Working a job that makes you miserable would affect every single moment of your life. If you find that your job makes you miserable, work on getting a new job before you quit.
Most people find it difficult to resign from the job they hate because of fear. There are many concerns, worries, and fears that might hold you back from quitting the job you hate. Some others are just not ready to start a job search all over again.
After you have worked at your job for a while, you would find that your daily routine is tied to you. This and the identity and self-worth tied to a job are reasons why a person may be scared to leave a job.
Yes. When you constantly grumble and show no interest in work at your place of employment, your employer can see this and thus assume you are unhappy at work. You can be fired for this.
Asides from hating your job, you would know it is time to leave your job when you cannot grow at the company or you do not have opportunities to learn.
Control your expenses, diversify your income, always have money in the bank, keep looking for alternative sources of income, consider “employment projects”, have only good debt, plan for changes.
Most people accept a job that they tolerate so long as they’re well paid/well compensated. It’s probably common for people to say they hate their job, but rare for people to actually hate their job.
References
- zety.com – how-to-quit-a-job
- work.chron.com – send-resignation-job-hate
- quora.com – What-would-be-the-coolest-way-to-resign-from-a-job-you-hate-and-without-looking-pathetic
- hqhire.com – how-to-resign-from-a-job-you-hate
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