I am probably changing jobs in the near future and wanted some input so i'll be ready.

I do not want to burn any bridges at my current employer, so i'll be giving them 2 weeks notice. The job i might be getting will pay 10-15k more per year. What should i put in the letter? I was thinking about putting i was leaving for higher pay and I will miss everyone but its for the best, blah blah. Honestly they'll probably be pretty pissed so i'll probably keep the letter a simple peace out.

Should have to sign anything when i leave company? I've written a lot of php/sql code for the company. A lot of good CMS code for different parts of their online ordering,etc I could use later on for personal gain i'm sure.

And lastly, I'm 100% sure my future employer will ask why I want to leave. I hate to say its because of more money - do hiring managers frown upon that type of answer?

1/24/2011 11:07:06 AM

Any hiring manager who frowns upon someone wanting more money won't be a hiring manager for very long. There's no reason why anyone shouldn't have the right to seek the highest possible compensation. Consider yourself a free agent.

1/24/2011 11:14:31 AM

They shouldn't frown upon the higher pay portion, but you can come up with more creative "personal and career advancement" reasons, as well.

Don't put the higher pay part in the resignation letter, that's tactless IMO.

And also none of their damned business.

1/24/2011 11:16:00 AM

My husband had to go through a LOT of paperwork and HR nonsense when he left his previous job for a better one. Here's what I picked up from that whole situation (as a bystander, but still might be helpful):

1. Be honest with your current and future employer about the money. If that is the reason for your move, then both should be able to respect that. (As already said, it would not make much sense for anybody in HR at the new job to frown upon somebody leaving one job for a better salary.)

2. If your current job really likes what you do/have done, be prepared for a counter offer. This is where the reasoning of "I'm leaving for the money" can get sticky. If you have made up your mind, and they offer to match your new salary, they will question what you are really leaving for.

3. Not sure what exactly you do, but if it is a competitive field, there are some legal ways in which the company can "hold" you. Was there anything when you signed on regarding leaving the company? My husband's former employer had the right to keep him from working elsewhere for up to six months (they had to pay him, but he could not go elsewhere without their release). His current employer has the same policy. Just something to be aware of.

1/24/2011 11:23:12 AM

Yeah AT&T had the same thing when I left, they told me I couldn't work for 6 months, I told them if they wanted to they could go ahead and sue me, but the courts in NC rarely hold that shit up.

You should probably have to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

1/24/2011 11:25:47 AM

While your shouldn't put the pay in your letter, you should generally define your reason for leaving, but this is just my opinion. Make it clear that you had a more attractive offer (or just 'better suits' you, or career advancement), or at least, that you're not leaving because something went terribly wrong or because of management issues, etc.

Quote :

"I've written a lot of php/sql code for the company. A lot of good CMS code for different parts of their online ordering,etc I could use later on for personal gain i'm sure."

Don't. And if you do, do not ever let anyone know. Everything you learned is yours to keep forever, everything you wrote and left somewhere in the system anywhere at the company is their IP.

Now, I know the line between these two, learned knowledge, and written code can be somewhat hazy. After all, you would use the same approach when tasked with writing an identical thing later, right? Define any code you use somewhere else a new and different creation. Always be able to defend this.

1/24/2011 11:32:02 AM

^definitely.

1/24/2011 11:33:25 AM

Quote :

"2. If your current job really likes what you do/have done, be prepared for a counter offer. This is where the reasoning of "I'm leaving for the money" can get sticky. If you have made up your mind, and they offer to match your new salary, they will question what you are really leaving for."

I'm sure they'll want to counter offer but i don't see them countering me 10-15k. EuroTitToss said it best in the tech jobs thread i think:

Quote :

"just don't take a counter offer after accepting an offer. bad for business if they do raise your salary by 10k, you have to ask yourself... why didn't they raise it before? they knew you were that valuable, but they just like underpaying people? "

---

Quote :

"3. Not sure what exactly you do, but if it is a competitive field, there are some legal ways in which the company can "hold" you. Was there anything when you signed on regarding leaving the company? My husband's former employer had the right to keep him from working elsewhere for up to six months (they had to pay him, but he could not go elsewhere without their release). His current employer has the same policy. Just something to be aware of."

I have never signed anything while being here. I poured over the employee handbook and there are some little tidbits about leaving, but nothing like that.

[Edited on January 24, 2011 at 11:46 AM. Reason : s]

1/24/2011 11:46:19 AM

yeah, it should definitely be a good hard mention if its in there. many companies (like mine) don't want you to leave to a competitor, so they have a clause where you can't work in a related field for several months

1/24/2011 12:03:33 PM

You should probably hash out the legal issues with the concerned parties before the letter.

The company you're moving to is by far the most important party, and they don't stand to have a conflict of interest with you. If you're worried about surprises then be very careful with a letter.

http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/leaving-a-job/sample-resignation-letter/article.aspx

Quote :

"Roberta Jones 18 Hillside Road | Sometown, MA 55555 | Phone: 555-555-5555 | jones@somedomain.com Sept. 10, 2010 Ms. Joyce Michaels CEO ABC Company 15 Main St. Sometown, MA 55555 Dear Joyce, Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as staff accountant. My last day of employment will be Sept. 24, 2010. I received an offer to serve as senior accountant of a Fortune 500 company, and after careful consideration, I realize that this opportunity is too exciting for me to decline. It has been a pleasure working with you and your team over the last three years. One of the highlights of my career was collaborating with you to automate ABC Company’s accounting, financial and balance systems and setting up your accounting infrastructure. Your company is poised for continued growth and I wish you much success with your upcoming acquisition of XYZ Company. I would like to help with the transition of my accounting duties so that systems continue to function smoothly after my departure. I am available to help recruit and train my replacement, and I will make certain that all reporting and records are updated before my last day of work. Joyce, thank you again for the opportunity to work for ABC Company. I wish you and your staff all the best and I look forward to staying in touch with you. You can email me anytime at jones@somedomain.com or call me at 555-555-5555. Sincerely, Roberta Jones "

[Edited on January 24, 2011 at 12:21 PM. Reason : ]

1/24/2011 12:17:45 PM

keep it short and don't even mention the other job

1/24/2011 1:04:41 PM

For management and higher level 'professionals' in my current job, we have a non-compete for six months if we leave to a 'competitor'. Basically making sure that youre the only one to leave to that company.

1/24/2011 10:32:08 PM

What the fuck is this shit about writing out an explanation? Just say you are leaving. Should be very short. You don't have to justify yourself in writing

1/25/2011 2:05:20 AM

What the fuck is this shit about writing out an explanation? Just say you are leaving. Should be very short. You don't have to justify yourself in writing

1/25/2011 2:15:50 AM

I'd leave higher pay out of it all together. It's not their damn business. I'd go with the make up some personal and career advancement reasons and use that, or just tell them you've had a great time working with them and that it's time to move on.

"Hey guys, this other company offered more more money, so... SEE YA!" is probably not the best way to go about it.

1/25/2011 9:24:34 AM

It's fine to not mention the other job if that's your prerogative, but just avoid implying that your leaving is the fault of any management or people problem at the present company. Be clear about your aims. The outcome you want is to maintain good relationships with the people at present company.

1/25/2011 10:19:56 AM

I just turned one in about a week and a half ago. Got a job that pays 3k less at the moment, but it brings me back to the east coast, and it's not shift work!

The content of the letter was simple. I merely stated I officially inform them that in two weeks I would be leaving and that I learned a lot while working there, and would help ease the transition for them if necessary. You don't need a reason, or reasons, you are leaving in order to "not burn any bridges". Plus, if you're on good relations with anyone at your current job, that is good enough for a recommendation for future jobs.

1/25/2011 11:03:33 AM

Quote :

"What the fuck is this shit about writing out an explanation? Just say you are leaving. Should be very short. You don't have to justify yourself in writing"

A written (for documentation purposes) letter of resignation is the norm in the professional world.

1/25/2011 9:18:06 PM

^What kind of dumbass answer is that? I have no problem with documentation -- I have a problem with people wanting to put unnecessary things in the documentation. It doesn't benefit you in any way to be anything more than terse. If you want to emote, do that verbally.

1/25/2011 10:42:12 PM

I would maintain the highest level of professionalism in this letter. Be sure to state factual points, ie) your intent, your last day (anticipated) and also make it clear that you are willing to do everything necessary to ease the transition of a replacement for your position.

On the back end, be sure to make solid "personal" alliances with your boss or co-workers so you can feel confident asking them to write references for you in the future. Bam.

1/25/2011 10:52:58 PM

At my company if you are leaving to work for a competitor they take your phone, keys, and badge, and your resignation is effective immediately.

1/25/2011 11:26:36 PM

I've changed jobs twice since college, and both times i just had a simple three line letter stating i was leaving, my final day on the job, and that I would be willing to help recruit a replacement. In my opinion, any further information need not be volunteered immediately, but I'm open to discuss it face to face if they so desire. I always try to establish a good rapport with management. When the time comes to part ways, they are pretty understanding.

1/25/2011 11:30:29 PM

Gentlemen,

Please accept this message as notification that I intend to leave my position with company name, effective date.

I appreciate the opportunities I have been given at company name, as well as your professional guidance and support. I think of each of you as a friend, and as such, I wish the company and each of you success in the future.

In my remaining days, I’ll work to tie up any loose ends and assist with the transition. If I can be of assistance after my departure, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,
your name

1/26/2011 12:14:43 AM

Every time I have quit a job I have written the same thing, but verbally expressed why I am leaving, and its generally..... "ive decided to pursue a different opportunity, but I am appreciative of everything you and the company have done for me, and I have nothing but positive things to say about the company."

I hand the letter to them right when i walk in that simply says "This letter is to officially inform <insert company> that I, <insert name>, is providing my two week notice effective <insert todays date> in which my employment will cease on <insert last day of two weeks here>.

And then sign it

1/26/2011 4:36:59 PM

1/26/2011 9:20:34 PM

^</thread>

1/27/2011 9:21:38 AM

LOL

1/27/2011 11:58:55 AM

somehow i wouldn't think the secretary of state would be the one to accept your resignation

1/27/2011 12:06:15 PM