The Right Way to Quit a Job

Whether in constant turmoil with a supervisor or team morale is nonexistent, there are a number of reasons that drive a worker to call it quits with their employer. Rather than walk out never to be heard from again (and leaving the company in a pinch), keep your reputation in tact and leave on good terms. You never know if you'll need your previous employer for a future reference -- or another job -- down the road.

Alexandra Levit is the founder and president of Inspiration @Work, a career consultant firm. Levit is also the author of 'They Don't Teach Corporate in College' (Career Press 2004), and is a nationally syndicated columnist and career advice blogger.

Today, Levit advises on how to quit your job the right way.

Visit Levit's Web site at www.alexandralevit.com.

Find more career-related news and advice in our Jobs section.

The transcript follows below.

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Alexandra Levit: Hi everyone. Thanks to The Washington Post for having me on the chat today. As some of you might know, I'm a twenty and thirty-something career expert and the author of a book called They Don't Teach Corporate in College, and in my travels I've come across a lot of "sticky" issues such as the ones we're going to address today. We have a lot of great questions in the queue already, so without further adieu, here we go!

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Cherry Hill, N.J.: How should one go about leaving the company when you know the store manager is engaging in inappropriate behaviors with a renegade associate (who gets away with breaking ALL the rules, and in so-doing, has destroyed many careers since her relationship with the manager over the past two years)? Should one turn-in both of them and let their careers sink as well as those they have destroyed? It's diffucult to accept a blatant wrong.

Alexandra Levit: Hi, Cherry Hill. In most cases, I would suggest that you stay out of this situation. If you are leaving out of principle and no one is behaving inappropriately toward you, then it's probably not going to do your career any good to raise a ruckus on your way out. However, if the manager's behavior is not only inappropriate but immoral, and you feel that other employees are being compromised against their will, then you may have an ethical obligation to at least inform HR of what's going on.

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Washington, D.C.: I have been at my current job for just three months and it's not a good fit. I am actively interviewing and applying for other jobs. How do I explain my short tenure? When I do give my notice, how much detail do I give my current employer about why I'm leaving? (I don't think it'll be a big surprise, I don't think they feel it's a good fit, either).

Alexandra Levit: Hi there. If you must leave your job after three months (and I recommend staying a year unless you're totally miserable), then downplay the short tenure both in your resume and in interviews. Your resume should list the position as taking place in 2007, with no months attached, and in interviews, don't mention it unless directly asked. If you are directly asked, respond with something like: "While I enjoyed the company, the job responsibilities were different than the ones outlined in the interview, and I wanted to ensure that I continued to grow in my career." As for the notice, wait until you have a signed job offer before you give it, and then tell your current boss that this was simply too great an opportunity to pass up.

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Washington D.C.: What do you do when the people in your workplace behave negatively toward you when they find out you have decided to leave for a new job? It makes me uncomfortable to think I might use my former employer as a reference, even though he said I could, if I feel like the office is upset I'm moving on. What's the best way to handle this situation?

Alexandra Levit: Hey D.C. People can be so petty, can't they? This is why you should only give as much notice as is considered culturally appropriate in the organization, and once you do, keep up with all of your job responsibilities until the very last hour. Other than that, all you can do is take the high road, and behave professionally yourself even if you aren't receiving the same treatment back. As for a later reference, maybe give your boss a few months to cool down, and then show that you want to continue the relationship by having coffee, sending a holiday card, etc.

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Washington, D.C.: When submitting your resignation, how much information, if any, should you provide about your new job to your current supervisor? For example, when they ask the name of the new company, is it okay to just say "I would prefer not to discuss that right now."?

Alexandra Levit: Written resignation letters tend to be more of a formality, and I think it's appropriate to be vague about your new opportunity. If people ask you outright and you're leaving on good terms, I don't think there's much harm in revealing where you are going. After all, there's a good chance they'll find out anyway. However, don't forget to assure them that you've really enjoyed working with them, and you're taking the new job because it will offer you an unparalleled opportunity to grow your career. Whether this is absolutely true or not, it will allow you to save face and preserve these relationships for a time down the road when you might need them.

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Austin, TX.: Thank you, Alexandra, for considering my topic.

How do you best leave a position, when you're working on contract for a third party? A few years ago, I was an employee of a technical firm that hired me out for a "death march" software project. The firm turned out to be rather slimy: fudging employee time records to over-bill the client, not paying overtime, long draughts between checks. Everyone on my team had problems with this company, regardless of whether we were employees of the agency or independent contractors. A few months later the firm mysteriously went out of business, not only being unavailable for references, but not even providing us with W-2s. (I learned they even stiffed their payroll company).If you need to leave such an agency, what is the proper way to handle your leaving with the on-site client? Can you ask the on-site client to give you a reference? And how long is too long to ask for a reference? (I.e. if you don't ask for one within a few months of leaving, is it in poor taste to ask later on?)

Thank you.

Alexandra Levit: Austin, this is a great question. Do you have a strong working relationship with the on-site client? If so, then I would suggest sitting down with your boss there and having a heart-to-heart about this sketchy agency. Tell the client why you are leaving the agency, and perhaps recommend that they rethink their engagement with them as well (after all, no one is getting burned in this situation more than the poor client!). If you would be willing to come on board as a full-time employee of the client's company, this is a great time to bring that up as a potential solution. Otherwise, if you've done well by then, I don't see the harm in asking for a reference. The important thing is not to leave them high and dry on their project, regardless of what you end up doing with the agency.

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Belleville, Ill.: I have a job that I absolutely hate and has nothing to do what I am studying in school. The people there get me down in the dumps and really make me mad because they complain about hours. I just want to walk out of the place. I need help.

Alexandra Levit: Hi Belleville, I'm sorry you're feeling this way, and it sounds like your co-workers aren't doing much to diffuse your own negativity. My advice to to try and stay at the job for a year, all the while looking for ways to learn transferable skills (e.g. project management, budgeting, public speaking) that will help you in your next position. This may mean volunteering for projects outside the scope of your regular responsibilities, but it will do a lot to increase your level of motivation and make you feel as if you aren't completely wasting your time. You can already start looking for other opportunities that are a better fit, but do it on the down low. You want the decision to leave to be in your hands, not your employer's.

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San Francisco, Calif.: Almost a year ago I was hired as general manager of a restaurant. With less than a day of training from the previous manager and owners, I have stumbled upon the ways in which I can keep the ship afloat. Now I am working seven days a week, I am not even sure I want to be in the restaurant business and I have almost no time for a personal life. Needless to say I have decided to leave, but I feel so responsible for this place now, I am not sure how to go about it in a way that won't leave the staff, owners and regular customers without leg to stand on. Is hiring a replacement for myself the only reasonable way to go about this or should I jump ship before I go down with it?

Alexandra Levit: Hi San Francisco, I can personally relate to this question, and congratulations on your innovation. One of the toughest situations to be in is when you are objectively good at something, but realize that it's making you unhappy and unbalanced. If I were you (and I have been in a similar situation), I would look hard for a decent replacement before jumping ship. Maybe that person won't do things QUITE the same way, but you'll feel better your own transition and will maintain a good relationship with the restaurant as well.

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Washngton, D.C.: I now realize I was hot-headed and let my supervisor get the best of me. I began taking off from work, letting others know I didn't like my job and ended up losing my job. Now I am looking for work. Should I leave my supervisor's name as a reference and take a chance that she will report negative things about me? Or is there a law that she can only report I worked there and what were my duties?

Alexandra Levit: Hi, D.C. Some companies have policies against divulging performance information to references, but others do not. I wouldn't risk it. Is there someone else at the company you enjoyed working with who would be more likely to impart positive information? Maybe a colleague or boss from a previous job? In general, you should only proactively provide references who are going to help your cause, not hurt it.

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D.C.: What a perfect topic for what I am going through right now. I have been in my current position for over seven years and I have finally decided to take my career to the next level. The problem is that I have been very vocal during some tense times in our small office and have developed the reputation of being out spoken though not disrespectful. I am afraid that this behavior has overshadowed the fact that I am an excellent producer and is relied upon heavily. I am concerned that this might affect my getting a favorable recommendation should they be contacted by a future employer. What are they allowed to say about me?

Alexandra Levit: Hi, D.C. This came up in the last question, and what they are allowed to say depends on the organization. Try to honestly assess what your reputation is there, using the tone and content from past performance reviews as a guide. Someone who is outspoken may not really be looked upon unfavorably at all - particularly if she is a strong performer - but disrespectful and negative is another issue. When interviewing for your next job, provide individual references for people who you know enjoyed working with you. Don't let the new company make the decision as to who to call. Control who they talk to, and what the references are going to say, as much as possible.

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Upper Marlboro, Md.: I've been working at my job for a few years and just recently transferred to another division within the company. I transferred because I was bored with the work in my previous division and now after only a month find myself bored with the work in this area. I feel that its time for me to look for work outside of this company because I don't think this career field is my true interest. However I am worried about offending my new boss since I've only been in this area for a little while. Would it be in bad taste for me to leave so soon, even though I've been with this company for almost three years?

Alexandra Levit: Hi, Maryland. Try not to burn a bridge here. Repeated transfers within a company in a short period of time can indicate (both internally and externally) a lack of commitment and may signal to others that the problem is you rather than the jobs. I would wait it out for a year, using the time to do a thorough self-assessment of your skills and true interests, so that your next move is strategic and well thought-out. In the meantime, think about what attracted you to transfer in the first place, and try to find something in your current job to be enthusiastic about.

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Baltimore, Md.: In an interview for your next job, how can you address the issue of resigning in lieu of firing? As you know, when you are an at-will employee, and a government office changes administrators, that person has the right to fire for no reason.

Alexandra Levit: Hi, Baltimore. You mentioned a government office changing administrators, and I'm not sure if that's your particular situation. If it is, then I think most people working in the government sphere understands how these things work, and that you can be honest about it.

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Alexandria, Va.: Excellent chat subject today! In my "younger years I burned a couple of bridges by just quitting with no notice, knowing full well that I'd never wanted to use those bosses as a reference, and I've made out pretty good in my career. However, I have realized that times have changed and having every available positive reference from a former employer is essential in today's job market ... so much so that I gave my last employer 6 weeks notice. The new job didn't work out and I've gotten offers from the old company that I'm contemplating. The point is that it's ok to loathe your current employment situation ... it happens more than once in one's career. Secure another job and give at least 2 weeks notice. I can guarantee that you'll appreciate someone giving the same when you get into a management position down the road.

Alexandra Levit: Hi, Alexandria. Thanks for reiterating this point. You never know when a new job isn't going to pan out, or circumstances change, and you'll want to return to your previous company. I myself have done this. While being a hothead about leaving a job may seem satisfying at the time, it's just not very likely to serve you well in the long-run.

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San Francisco, Calif.: I've started a new job a month ago but I feel like quitting. I have recently graduated with an MBA and after my new job, I've found out the following changes:

- handling another area of work not mentioned when I had applied

- the bonus is significantly lower than expected

- the base salary is $4,000 lower than my last job I had two years ago before going back to graduate school. So the combined base salary with bonus will be lower than my last job I had two years ago before going back to graduate school.

- working for a very fast paced-environment

- understaffed and been working at home almost every day since I started.

- I was not expecting the work to be that data/analytically driven, and not sure I enjoy it as much. I have a passion for sports but hard to get into this field.

Do you have any suggestions that would help me in my decision of whether I should look for another job and quit?

Alexandra Levit: Hi, San Francisco. I'm sorry about this, and you're not alone. Many post-MBAs find themselves in similar situations, which is why I don't recommend getting one unless you've given your resulting career path a great deal of thought first. If the job is not what you expected and not even your cup of tea, stay put and learn as much as you can while you carefully consider your next move. It sounds like you are interested in making a total career change into sports, and this may be the time to take the plunge. However, competitive fields like these often require that you break in with volunteer work or low-paying internships first, and it's a lot easier to do this when you're receiving a regular paycheck from another job.

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Purgatory, D.C.: I'm leaving my job in two months. I have no desire to be at work. I want to sleep-in until noon. Since I can't do that and 'have to' be at work, I want to go under my desk and sleep until I can leave for the day. Where's my motivation?

Alexandra Levit: Purgatory, oh no! How do you know you're leaving your job in two months? Do you have a signed offer letter from another company? Do you have a non-refundable plane ticket out of the country? If you're positive that you are in fact leaving, then is there a project that will allow you to make a difference in your organization on your way out? Something juicy to add to the resume? Can you scoop up some excellent references for the future by leaving in the most professional manner possible?

If leaving is not a definite, then let fear (or at least concern) be your motivation. You do not want to find yourself fired, putting your financial situation totally in the hands of your employer.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: What is the best way to maintain references from previous jobs? I've left all of them on good terms, but I've lost contact. Thanks so much.

Alexandra Levit: Gaithersburg, first I have to say that I was raised in Gaithersburg! Now, onto your very good question. Maintaining strong references is a critical part of effective networking, and I suggest sending your best contacts periodic updates, e-mails just saying hello, and holiday cards. Ideally, you should be keeping in touch with them at least a few times a year, so that when you need to give them the heads up that you'll be using them as a reference, it won't come completely out of the blue.

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Portland, Oregon: I'm planning a move to another city, but I haven't told my employer. I'm tired of making up excuses about going on interviews, so should I tell him about my intentions? Or should I just keep my mouth shut until I have a job offer?

Alexandra Levit: Hi, Portland. Try to keep your mouth shut until you have a job offer, especially if your move is not entirely certain. There are only a few cases in which I think it would be appropriate to tell your boss what's going on. For example, if your spouse is being forced to relocate, obviously you are going to go, and if you have a good relationship with your boss, then it might take some stress off of you to tell the truth. The general rule, though, is not to give your employer more power over your destiny than you have yourself.

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N.Y., N.Y.: I started my current job four months ago and since then three people I worked with have been let go, including the man who hired me. I now report to someone in Los Angeles. I'm on the lookout for a new job but if I do find something, how would I go about giving my notice? Is e-mail too impersonal?

Alexandra Levit: Hi, New York. Geez, sounds like you are doing the right thing by looking for a safety net. If you never see your new manager, I don't know how it would be possible to give your notice in person. I would at least do it live on the phone, though (not on voicemail). The LA person might not know you from Adam, but you never know if or when you'll run into him/her again. You want to leave a good impression - particularly since what has happened in your department is not fault of this person. He or she may just be an innocent bystander!

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Alexandra Levit: Well, I've just been informed that our time is up. I want to thank The Post for having me on today, and all of you for joining me and asking such smart questions. Sounds like you're all going about things in exactly the right way, and I wish you luck with all of your career endeavors!

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