People decide to move on and make career changes. This means resigning from their current position. In fact, it is fairly common today for professionals to jump around from one company to another as they gain valuable experience and make their move up the corporate ladder.
Depending on your reason for leaving your current position, you may want to give your current employer a piece of your mind on your way out the door. However, think twice before making any rash decisions when resigning from a job because it can have an impact on future employment opportunities.
“The resignation is one of the few times that employees are free to express themselves without fearing termination,” says Anthony Klotz, an assistant professor in the College of Business at Oregon State University, who studies the ways people resign from their jobs.
Common Ways in Which People Resign
According to Klotz’ most recent study, which appeared in the Journal Of Applied Psychology, there are 7 common ways in which people resign from their jobs:
1. By the book (31%)
2. Perfunctory (23.5%) Similar to by the book, but without a reason provided
3. Avoidant (12.7%) Providing notice to people other than a direct manager
4. Grateful goodbye (10%) Offering to ease the transition and showing gratitude for the opportunity
5. Bridge burning (8.6%) Seeking to hurt the company on your way out the door
6. In the loop (7.9%) Discussing the situation with a trusted manager before deciding to resign
7. Impulsive quitting (6.3%) Quitting without notice
What Companies Can Learn from How People Resign
How people choose to resign can say a lot about your company. If people feel mistreated, they will tend to resign in a negative way; if they are treated well, they will be more likely to resign in a positive manner.
“If they see a rash of negative resignations, it is a signal that employees are being treated poorly, and they should investigate and find the cause,” he says. However, Klotz says on Fast Company, “When a company notices that in general their employees leave in a positive and grateful manner, they can take that as one sign that employees feel like they are treated relatively well,” he adds.
Learn more about making career transitions by reading these blog posts from our recruiters:
You’ve Been Fired. What Do You Say In Job Interviews?
Miss Your Old Company? 4 Tips to Return Home
Recruiting Trends: Happy Employees Are Considering Leaving
Recruiting Trends: MOST of Your People Are Willing to Leave
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