You've got the job. Now leave on the right note.
Accepting a new role is exciting. Handing in your notice can feel a lot less so. Our consultants guide finance, HR and business support professionals across Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire through this step all the time. Here's how to resign professionally, protect your reputation and start your next role with a clean slate.
How you leave says as much about you as how you joined. In finance, HR and business support, regional networks are close. Your current manager could be a future client, colleague or referee, so it pays to resign with care. Whether you're a payroll administrator moving to your first supervisory role, an HR Manager stepping up to Head of People or a Finance Director joining a new board, the same principles apply: be prepared, be clear and stay professional right up to your last day.
Before you resign.
Follow these steps to make sure you're 100% on your decisions before you resign.
Get your offer in writing
Never hand in your notice on a verbal offer. Wait until you have a written offer and contract, and you're happy with the terms.
Check any conditions
If your offer depends on references, qualification checks or other pre-employment checks, ask your consultant where things stand before you resign.
Check your notice period
Your current contract will set out how much notice you need to give. Look for anything else that may apply, such as restrictive covenants, garden leave clauses or repayment terms for study support or relocation.
Agree a start date
Make sure your new employer knows your notice period and the start date works for both sides.
Be sure of your decision
Remind yourself why you started looking. If you're clear on your reasons now, you'll be far better placed if your employer tries to change your mind.
Writing your resignation letter
Your resignation letter is a formal record, so keep it short, positive and factual. It doesn't need to explain the reason why you're leaving, but there are some things you should include:
- The date of your resignation
- A clear statement that you're resigning from your role
- Your notice period and your expected last working day
- A brief thank you for the opportunities you've had
- An offer to help with a smooth handover
Print it out and sign and date it, and ensure you have a copy for your manager, and one for your own records.
Ensure you resign in person
Your manager should hear the news from you first, not from a colleague or an email.
Ask for a private conversation: Book a short meeting, in person or by video call if you work remotely.
Be direct: Get to the point early. Thank them, tell them you've accepted a new role and hand over your letter.
Keep it positive: Focus on the opportunity ahead, not what's wrong with your current role. This isn't the time for criticism.
Be prepared for questions: Your manager may ask where you're going, what you'll be earning or why you're leaving. You don't have to share details, and it's fine to say you'd rather keep that private for now.
Follow up in writing: Send your letter by email after the meeting so there's a clear record of the date you resigned.
Be ready for a counter offer.
When a good person resigns, businesses often try to keep them. That might be a pay rise, a promotion, a new job title or a promise that things will change.
It can be flattering, so think it through calmly before you respond. Ask yourself:
- Why did I start looking in the first place?
- Will more money change the things that made me want to leave?
- Why is this offer being made now, rather than before I resigned?
- How will my relationship with my manager and the business look after this?
If your reasons were about progression, culture, flexibility or the work itself, a counter offer is unlikely to fix them. Your consultant can talk it through with you honestly so you make the decision that's right for your career.
Working your notice
The last few weeks in your current role still matter. Leave a lasting impression for the right reasons.
Keep your standards high: Stay focused, meet your deadlines and keep turning up as the professional your team relies on.
Plan a thorough handover: Write clear notes on your open tasks, processes, key contacts, deadlines and where everything is saved. In finance, that might mean month-end timetables, reconciliations and system access. In HR, it could mean live employee relations cases, payroll changes and upcoming recruitment.
Support your replacement: If you have the chance to train someone, use it well.
Stay discreet: Avoid talking down the business or your new role around the office.
Respect confidentiality: Don't take documents, data or contact lists with you, and follow your contract on confidential information.
On your last day.
- Return company property: Laptop, phone, keys, pass and any other equipment.
- Check your final pay: Confirm with HR or payroll how any unused holiday, outstanding expenses or bonus will be handled.
- Ask for your P45: You'll need it for your new employer.
- Say thank you: A short goodbye message to your team and the people you've worked closely with goes a long way.
- Stay connected: Connect with colleagues on LinkedIn. The people you've worked alongside are part of your professional network for years to come.
Common mistakes to avoid
There are some common mistakes to avoid when in comes to resigning. These include:
- Resigning before the offer is confirmed in writing
- Telling colleagues before your manager
- Resigning by email or text without a conversation
- Using your resignation to air grievances
- Easing off during your notice period
- Accepting a counteroffer without thinking it through
- Posting about your new role online before your employer knows
We're with you every step.
Resigning is one of the parts of a job move people find most uncomfortable, and you don't have to do it alone. Your Sewell Wallis consultant will help you plan your resignation, talk through any counteroffer honestly and keep in touch with your new employer throughout your notice period, so you can start your new role with confidence.
Thinking about your next move?
Talk to one of our specialist consultants about your experience, your goals and the roles that could take your career further.