1) Checking your employment contract
First and foremost, make sure that you have checked your contract or employment agreement to ensure you understand any terms that you will need to adhere to in order to resign. So, things like notice period, any documentation you will need to provide and any non compete period you are required to observe. You may think that your employment notice period is the standard 4 weeks, however, some employers may apply a tiered structure based on your longevity with the business, for example. Ideally, this should be reviewed before you start looking for a new role, so that you are able to provide accurate information of when you can commence to your new employer. It’s a good idea to triple check prior to your resignation.

2) Meeting with your manager
Book a meeting or a time to meet with your relevant manager/s. Ideally this is a face-to-face meeting but appreciate this might not be possible in the current (pandemic) climate. So, try and ensure it’s as ‘face to face’ as possible as it’s the best approach. Of course, your employer may want to know the reason for your meeting, so booking it in quickly and without too much time in between your request and attendance, can help curb these questions.

3) Have a script
Resigning can be nerve wracking and can be a moment of vulnerability for you as an employee. You may have never resigned before! In terms of what to say, it’s important to thank your employer for the experience gained and the skills you have learned. You could even point out a few career highlights during your period of employment. Advise them of your last day with the business. If you feel comfortable, you may provide 1 or 2 reasons why it’s the right time to move. This can help provide your employer with a bit of context. In addition, asking questions such as; “how can I make the transition out of this organisation as smooth as possible?” and “who is the best person to contact in regards to next steps?”. There may be other stakeholders within the business, such as HR or IT, who now need to be informed of your departure.

Bonus tip: follow up in writing!
Sending an email summarising everything you spoke about in the meeting will make sure that everyone has a clear understanding about your resignation and departure.