Why you should never resign from your job

Why you should never resign from your jobWhy you should never resign from your job

There are 2 main reasons that lead to resign:

  • You have found yourself another job and you want to be free as soon as possible so you resign. It’s a respectable choice which, in a way, is quite positive.
  • Your company pressurizes you, either actively (in making you believe that this is the best outcome), or passively (shunting you aside by giving you boring missions or no mission at all). This passivity is nonetheless aggressive and this situation is negative if not damaging).

In this last case, resign may appear as a relief since it lifts the pressure off.

Yet, resigning is not a good idea from a career management standpoint, and maintaining the dialog with the company is always a good idea, as there is always a way to take them to the negotiating table.

Is resigning appeals to you, think about the following:

  • Resigning consequences
  • Only the rich get credit
  • Are there more flexible options?
  • What is the ‘Mutually Agreed Contract Break-up’?
  • What questions should you answer before resigning?

Coaching

Let’s overlook 2 of these aspects in the context of this article.

Resigning consequences

They are multiple and can be quite serious from a career management point of view even if, on the short term, it may be a relief.

If you resigned under pressure, you’re brutally left with nothing: no unemployment allowances, you’re jobless and hence necessarily in a weak spot to negotiate a new one.

When you will apply to a new job you’ll be less attractive than someone with a job. In this case, better not mentioning this if this recent (from 1 to several months) as empty holes in resumes are not popular among headhunters or potential recruiters!

Are there more flexible options?

It’s always possible to bring a company to the negotiating table so that they talk with you about your departure conditions. It’s not about being aggressive or attacking (and certainly not give away), but voice the problems and find solutions.

Negotiating between 2 entities (you and the company) is a diplomatic game with the objective is to bring the company to see the separation as the best option.

The other options are firing you and the Mutually Agreed Contract break-up (“Rupture Conventionnelle” in French). They both give you access to unemployment allowances and to the negotiating of a severance package above the legal obligations and/or the labor agreements.

Conclusion

Except at the very beginning of your professional life when reactivity is a must, resigning is not a good option as it leaves you too vulnerable in the up-to 8 months trial period (for a manager) in your new company.

To know more on the topic of why you should never resign from your job or to speak directly with a coach specialized in departure negotiation please use the enclosed contact form.

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