How to tell your boss you're leaving your graduate job for another?

KingJohn_2

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice on how to approach telling your boss you will be leaving your job, in the most positive and least awkward way..

I have been in a graduate job for 20 months (technically 4 months left to go of the scheme but it is essentially permanent) but haven't been happy for a while, have been working all over the country doing odd jobs, and while I'm lucky to have something when so many are struggling, it's not in line with my career aspirations or training, nor is there any solid future potential direction.

Due to this I have been applying for other roles more aligned to me. I am very fortunate to have a few options on the table, and amazingly have been offered a place on another really good graduate scheme, starting from scratch.

I will need to hand my (4 month) notice in around the end of May, but I'm really not looking forward to telling my boss as I'm not sure what his reaction will be- I can't help feeling like he will see it as I've been sneaking around going to assessments etc.

I have not given any hints away that I have another job or ahve been applying.

I thought about telling him in advance of handing my proper notice in but not sure it will be the best idea, especially as I am awaiting the results of refs & 100% confirmation.

I basically would like to break it in the most profesional way, and leave it on a good note.

Does anyone have any experience of or advice on breaking news like this to their boss / work?

Many thanks

Acc72

In the same way that you would resign from any / non-graduate job !

i.e. write a brief letter of resignation (look on google, but try to avoid the USA sites) thanking your boss for the opportunity and stating that you have been offered another position and will be leaving on x date. Finish off by wishing your boss, the team, the company all the best for the future and that is that.

InsideInsurance

You dont have to give any explanation of why you are leaving, what you are going to be doing afterwards or anything else.

Very simple letter will do fine...

Dear Boss

Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation, my last working day will be X.

I wish you and the rest of the team all the best for the future

Yours sincerely

sign

KingJohn_2

Thanks for the reply.

The thing is my company is quite close and they expect us to have a life career here, certainly not to be going to interviews on the sly - so it will be a shock for me to leave. They have planned on me being here so I feel a bit bad, but I havent been in a position to tell them yet.

I'ts quite a reputational thing- just handing a letter over wont go down that well, I need to 'break' the news in a positive and smooth way!

I was also wondering whether to give them advance notice, e.g tell them I will be leaving in 6 weeks then give my 4 week notice 2 weeks later. Thought it could ease the news in a bit but Im not sure its a good idea.

Thanks

heretolearn_2

It's never an easy thing to do but you have to just man up and get it over with. It may be the first time for you, but it won't be the last.

A simple letter, ask to speak to your boss, say something nice like 'I have really enjoyed my time here but I've had to make a hard decision about what's right for my future' and hand them the letter.

Don't give more than your required leave. It isn't all that helpful and some employers will tell you that they'll take it as your proper leave from today, so you could end up with a 2 week gap. Don't feel you have to explain or justify yourself beyond the sentence above, it doesn't help, although it's clear you want to leave on good terms you can do that without getting defensive/into debates with your employer.

They may not be as upset as you think. I don't believe any firm realistically expects a new graduate to stay until their retirement day :-) and not to be rude but graduates are 10 a penny these days, they'll be fine without you.

Sambucus_Nigra

KingJohn wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

The thing is my company is quite close and they expect us to have a life career here, certainly not to be going to interviews on the sly - so it will be a shock for me to leave. They have planned on me being here so I feel a bit bad, but I havent been in a position to tell them yet.

I'ts quite a reputational thing- just handing a letter over wont go down that well, I need to 'break' the news in a positive and smooth way!

I was also wondering whether to give them advance notice, e.g tell them I will be leaving in 6 weeks then give my 4 week notice 2 weeks later. Thought it could ease the news in a bit but Im not sure its a good idea.

Thanks

No - just hand your notice in like in Inside Insurance's post. End of. No faffing or telling them in advance. That's what the notice period is for. You do not need to break the news to them, you do not need to tell them you were creeping around on the sly. Just hand the letter in on the day that is 4 months from the day you are leaving.

bob_a_builder

awaiting .. 100% confirmation.

do nothing till then !

agrinnall

KingJohn wrote: »

The thing is my company is quite close and they expect us to have a life career here, certainly not to be going to interviews on the sly - so it will be a shock for me to leave. They have planned on me being here so I feel a bit bad, but I havent been in a position to tell them yet.

I seriously doubt if there is any organisation in the UK with such an expectation these days, and you can be absolutely sure that as soon as they get hit by any sort of downturn in business the loyalty will be straight out the window. Move on to your new job and don't look back.

gibson123

So in reality you officially have 4 months of the graduate scheme left, and you are required to give 4 months notice...so assuming that you have no firm offer from your current employer, a reasonable employer should expect you to be looking for employment now, that's just good planning.

Simples..

Dear Boss

As you are aware, my graduate internship finishes on ........ I am writing to you to inform you of my intention to leave at the end of my current contract on ...... I have accumulated holiday leave of .... so would like my actual last day of work to be..... Thank you for your support over the last 18 months, which has given me the skills and experience to progress within my career.

MrSnuggles

KingJohn wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

The thing is my company is quite close and they expect us to have a life career here, certainly not to be going to interviews on the sly - so it will be a shock for me to leave. They have planned on me being here so I feel a bit bad, but I havent been in a position to tell them yet.

I'ts quite a reputational thing- just handing a letter over wont go down that well, I need to 'break' the news in a positive and smooth way!

I was also wondering whether to give them advance notice, e.g tell them I will be leaving in 6 weeks then give my 4 week notice 2 weeks later. Thought it could ease the news in a bit but Im not sure its a good idea.

Thanks

If I'm the employer I'd find a reason (don't even need a reason really) to sack you before you get the chance to hand in your official notice to leave. You'll be doing yourself no favours by telling a single person you're leaving before handing in your notice in writing.

gibson123

MrSnuggles wrote: »

If I'm the employer I'd find a reason (don't even need a reason really) to sack you before you get the chance to hand in your official notice to leave. You'll be doing yourself no favours by telling a single person you're leaving before handing in your notice in writing.

Glad I don't work for you then! I am sure you are in a minority.

Most employers I know are perfectly fine about people leaving and do so on good terms with the person leaving.