Making the decision to quit a job is a big step. If you voluntarily decide to resign employment, it is important that you have a next step in your career. Knowing what your rights are before you quit will make the process easier. Some employers are less casual than others when it comes to quitting time and therefore require very little paperwork while others may have exit interviews, personnel surveys and other forms for you to fill out. Make sure you know what employment paperwork, you should be filling out before you leave your present organization and head off to the next employment opportunity.
Steps Before Quitting
Before you quit, have a job lined up or a plan for what your next steps will be once you leave your current employer. This may include starting a business of your own. If you are not planning on working right away, it is a good idea to have some money saved up. It may take a while for a business to start generating revenue, and having planned for this will save you a lot of heartache. According to the Small Business Administration, the average cost of starting a business is $30,000, so plan on having at least six months of expenses saved up to counter expenses. Some people remain employed while starting a business or work part-time while starting a new venture.
Resignation Letter
Creating a formal resignation letter is a must when quitting any job. This serves as your written notice for leaving your employer and becomes an official form in your employee file. Make sure you include your reason for leaving. This is the single most important form most employers require when you quit or leave your job. Keep your letter brief and tactful, without including information about how the company can improve its services. If you had problems in the past with the company, you will want to exclude this from your resignation letter. This is not the time to bring up past hurts or wrongs.
Exit Interview
Most organizations will have you fill out an exit interview form. Others will sit down and conduct a formal exit interview with employees that are leaving the company. This may consist of a series of questions that asks about your experience with the company, reasons for leaving and related questions. The company may ask for ideas about ways the job you worked in may be improved for the candidate they plan to hire. This is another opportunity for you to speak well of your employer, regardless of whether you plan to seek a reference from the employer.
Other Employment Forms
Other forms you may need to fill out before leaving a company may include health insurance forms. You may be eligible for continued health insurance under COBRA if your company is eligible. Talk to your employment or HR representative before leaving to get more information about COBRA eligibility. Most group health insurance plans offer continuing health insurance coverage for up to 18 months following employment. You will have to pay premiums after you quit. If you find another job and start coverage you may no longer need additional health coverage.
Closing Remarks
Take time to acknowledge the positive experience you gained from your employer. It always pays to leave an employer with a fresh perspective of your achievements and accomplishments on the job. You never know when you may find yourself knocking on the door of an employer again. Make sure you thank your employer for the opportunity to work with them, whether or not you think you may work with them in the future. This is a smart career move for everyone.
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Writer Bio
Aanya Rose has been writing since 1998. Her work has appeared in "ADDitude," "Curl," "Diabetes Alternatives," "Fitness," the "Healing Path" and more. She has served as a channel manager for various websites and worked in consultation and training. Rose holds a B.S. and Ph.D.