Resignation

[Anonymous]

Alrighty- I know I will get flamed (who doesn't on this board!) but I need some opinions.
I have accepted a verbal offer from a new company. Here is my dilemma, I do not know what my current company will do when I resign. I know the current response is to tell the old company to f-off and give almost no notice, HOWEVER, I really like my current boss. Great guy- actually gets the job, isn't a pain in the ass. I respect him.
The big quandry is that the timing is going to be tight giving notice before a meeting and I don't want to come across like a shmuck. I would give notice today, but I am waiting on "officail" paperwork from HR- which might make take another week...making any type of notice impossible.
any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't say a thing until everything is official with the new company. Then, met him, thank him for being a great boss, and explain why the change is best for you.

[Anonymous]

Very simple. Wait for the written offer and then give your two-weeks notice. They never let you work once you give your notice. Someone will come and get your things within a day or two. Plus, you will still get paid for the two weeks. Your manager won't have any hard feelings because you did give 2 weeks and it is company policy not to let you continue working once you give notice.

[Anonymous]

You might also consider asking him to meet with you, after you've givne the notice. Be frank, and gracious, and tell him what made it difficult accepting the new opportunity, was that you would be losing the professional working realtionship with him. This way, you don't burn a bridge, and you can bet your ass that if he ever gets the chance to do so, he would invite you to work with him again.

We complain that HR and the rest, never give us the common courtesies of not telling us we weren't the candidate selected, or this and that about managers whom we can't stand personally or professionally. Do this and confirm in his mind, that you are a true professional.

Taking the high road precludes anyone from trash talking after your departure.

Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

In your resignation letter, dont forget to give your two weeks notice, even if you dont intend working the two weeks, by law they have to pay you for them.

[Anonymous]

Original Poster: Take a lesson from a dope; listen to the other posters who say: Absolutely do not give notice until you get a WRITTEN OFFER, and then only when you return it and they do their background check, and the announce you to the district. There are too many things that can go wrong in the interim. If you don't believe me, ask me. (Huh?) Seriously, DON'T DO IT! It's not my style to write in all caps or otherwise to shout, but trust me as I've been on both sides of that as both a rep and a DM. Don't do it. Unfortunately, this means you'll be double-dipping by a week or two, but as they say when the shoe's on the other foot, "that's business." Take care of yourself. You've taken care of the company, that is why you've earned yourself another job/promotion. The posters are right: once you give notice you'll go from totally chic to totally geek, no matter how good your relationship with your manager. They'll cut you off of e-mail and voice-mail, tell you not to go on any more calls, etc. etc.
Consider yourself terminated the very minute you call your manager. So, for the last time: Don't say a word until you have your written offer and the background check is complete and they send you info about your start date/training class, etc. Best wishes to you.

[Anonymous]

OP here-
Thanks for the great advice! Wow Who would have thought that the Darkened Sample Closet could actually produce well thought, and good advice.

My plan is to wait until I have an offer letter - the background check will be complete by then.
Thanks so much.

[Anonymous]

I completely agree with this person; under no circumstances do you tell anybody with your current company about your departure until you have the offer in WRITING!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Going to the meeting might be uncomfortable, but can you book a refundable ticket? This would allow you to fly in to the meeting, meet with the manager and resign in person, and then fly home. If yo have the respect for them you indicate, and they are one of the rare 'good ones', go out of your way to resign with class. I just hired someone who was my former boss. This is a weird world we live in!

[Anonymous]

If you like your boss and have a good relationship with him, I would ask him to write a letter on your behalf after you leave. That way when you apply to a new job down the road, you have a written letter from your direct boss at the time...in case you dont stay in touch. That will go along way in a future interview down the road. Good luck to you. I am in the same boat with a meeting coming up and a resignation likely during or just after the meeting.

[Anonymous]

When you resign, tell your DM that the new company plans on hiring another DM or a Regional DM. That the pay is extremely good with the best benefits. That you will keep him informed and get the inside scoop for him.

This will have him eating out of your lap and kissing your butt as you leave. He will think you are loyal to him. It's psychologically brilliant. Obviously, keep in touch and keep him hanging. You never know, a job might actually come open for him. Always act like you're plugging away for him, just like we do every day.