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View Full Version : Just wrote my first resignation letter...


Squirrel
01-02-2012, 04:22 PM
Plan on turning it in tomorrow, if my salary negotiations do not go my way... i'm really not sure how it will turn out, i believe with the way the company is going i have the upper hand in negotiations, keeping me would be in their best benefit but i will be asking for quite the heavy raise... either way i believe i will be satisfied... does anyone have experience/insight in to the best way to handle a situation like this?

BonzoHansen
01-02-2012, 04:24 PM
are you bluffing or do you mean it? do you have a replacement job already lined up?

Squirrel
01-02-2012, 04:40 PM
Mean it 100%... if they arent willing to pay me the money i'd like, i have no problem whatsoever resigning, i already have a part time job lined up because if i do have to resign i plan on going back to grad school full time (already had a full course load chosen anyway), and if they do pay me, cool lol... win/win for me IMO

JW
01-02-2012, 04:51 PM
There isn't much to the approach other then writing it and handing/emailing it to Managers/Directors. I usually talk to them in person first obviously tell them whats up and then once thats done, I send the letter off to make it official.

Like Bonzo said though, if you are willing to quit if things don't go your way then you are fine, as long as you have planned out the future which it seems you have.

Edit. Sometimes if you have the money talk the company may take a day or 2 to get back to you. So don't fire off the quit notice too fast!
JW :D

BonzoHansen
01-02-2012, 04:55 PM
Is your part time job related experience? If not I hope you don't plan on being out of your chosen profession too long. No one likes gaps in the resume. How will you explain your move to prospective employers? You can't say "they would not give me a raise during a time of recession and 10%+ unemployment so I told them to pound sand". It could be a hard conversation trying to not come off like an self-centered idiot. And most people try not to hire those. "I left to get my MBA" or whatever will sound as thin as it looks on paper. No one with a brain does that in this economy.

My experience is find a job while you look for a new one. And negotiations with the new employer is in your favor if you already have a job. Gives you bargaining strength.

The old saying "don't cut off your nose to spite your face" may apply here.

:2cents:


FWIW, once you get a raise based on a threat to jump, you often acquire a spiteful bulls-eye after that.

edpontiac91
01-02-2012, 04:59 PM
In this job market, you are far from being indispensable. There are at least 5 or 6 people that will do your job for even less than you are making now and most companies are always looking to find ways to cut back.

Your young and at your age you will find another job, but quiting your position does not look good on any resume. If you enjoy your work and feel you are a real asset to your company, speak to your manager and see what are your options for advancement and earning an increase. Just giving them a take it or leave it demand, will usually end up with a one way trip to the exit door. Just my :2cents:.

BonzoHansen
01-02-2012, 05:04 PM
back up a bit. before you get to the ultimatum step, do you have a logical and thought out conversation ready on why you deserve more money? Specifically a list of 'what is in it for them' if you get more money? What are you offering them besides the status quo?

Squirrel
01-02-2012, 05:33 PM
There isn't much to the approach other then writing it and handing/emailing it to Managers/Directors. I usually talk to them in person first obviously tell them whats up and then once thats done, I send the letter off to make it official.

Like Bonzo said though, if you are willing to quit if things don't go your way then you are fine, as long as you have planned out the future which it seems you have.

Edit. Sometimes if you have the money talk the company may take a day or 2 to get back to you. So don't fire off the quit notice too fast!
JW :D

I gave them a heads up last week about my intentions, their fault if they didnt prepare a rebuttle

Is your part time job related experience? If not I hope you don't plan on being out of your chosen profession too long. No one likes gaps in the resume. How will you explain your move to prospective employers? You can't say "they would not give me a raise during a time of recession and 10%+ unemployment so I told them to pound sand". It could be a hard conversation trying to not come off like an self-centered idiot. And most people try not to hire those. "I left to get my MBA" or whatever will sound as thin as it looks on paper. No one with a brain does that in this economy.

My experience is find a job while you look for a new one. And negotiations with the new employer is in your favor if you already have a job. Gives you bargaining strength.

The old saying "don't cut off your nose to spite your face" may apply here.

:2cents:


FWIW, once you get a raise based on a threat to jump, you often acquire a spiteful bulls-eye after that.

part time work is job related, another hit on the nail was that my current work was not willing to work with me in my school situation, which is more important than work to me

In this job market, you are far from being indispensable. There are at least 5 or 6 people that will do your job for even less than you are making now and most companies are always looking to find ways to cut back.

Your young and at your age you will find another job, but quiting your position does not look good on any resume. If you enjoy your work and feel you are a real asset to your company, speak to your manager and see what are your options for advancement and earning an increase. Just giving them a take it or leave it demand, will usually end up with a one way trip to the exit door. Just my :2cents:.

I do not enjoy my work lol, its a very hostile work environment that treats people like they are cattle, and with the recent scandals that have been reported and the less-than-ethical direction of the company i would not like to be a part of it no longer

back up a bit. before you get to the ultimatum step, do you have a logical and thought out conversation ready on why you deserve more money? Specifically a list of 'what is in it for them' if you get more money? What are you offering them besides the status quo?

I made a list of several things ive done to help them save money/run more efficiently, ive helped make the transition to our new software run much more smoothly by being the only one working one on one with the programmers, i redesigned our billing process to be more automated, among other things... i also have a list of future projects i would like to implement.... if the money is right :)

Jersey Mike
01-02-2012, 05:40 PM
I lol'd when I read the thread title as I remember reading your thread a year or so back about how you couldn't find a job. Was this the company that you gave you an offer then, or have you moved around a bit since then?

BonzoHansen
01-02-2012, 06:24 PM
part time work is job related, another hit on the nail was that my current work was not willing to work with me in my school situation, which is more important than work to meI'm reading this as they are not flexible time-wise, like you can't leave early enough to get to class. If no more money is offered, perhaps you can negotiate a more flexible time schedule. would that make things more palatable? cash is not the only benefit in the world.

Speaking of benefits, can I assume you have weighed the loss of health insurance into your plan?

Based on what you posted here, I'd still not quit on the spot. I don't know what scandals you are talking about, but unless your name is in the paper I'd not sweat that too much. If at the end of the conversation tomorrow there is no flex I'd simply offer 'well, please take the next few days to reconsider your position'. If by 9 am Friday morning they don't move, hand in your 2 weeks then. Give them chance to be the good guy. a few days won't kill you.

WayFast84
01-02-2012, 06:38 PM
I say do what will let you finish school the earliest as possible. Do you wanna be back in school in your 30's paying off loans in till your 50? What about in your 40's paying them off when your 60? This is the advice I got from my mom who is getting her second masters and will be paying it off in her 70's. She is a professor and it's not uncommon for them to work up until then, so I guess it's not a big deal for her, but it's something for you to think about.

BonzoHansen
01-02-2012, 06:46 PM
or change jobs to somewhere that pays for continuing ed. My MBA was free. Well, I was an indentured servant for a period of time. But then it was free. lol

LTb1ow
01-02-2012, 07:04 PM
gjdm

Squirrel
01-02-2012, 07:49 PM
I lol'd when I read the thread title as I remember reading your thread a year or so back about how you couldn't find a job. Was this the company that you gave you an offer then, or have you moved around a bit since then?

this is my 3rd offer, i didnt like the first company and the 2nd was just too far away

I'm reading this as they are not flexible time-wise, like you can't leave early enough to get to class. If no more money is offered, perhaps you can negotiate a more flexible time schedule. would that make things more palatable? cash is not the only benefit in the world.

Speaking of benefits, can I assume you have weighed the loss of health insurance into your plan?

Based on what you posted here, I'd still not quit on the spot. I don't know what scandals you are talking about, but unless your name is in the paper I'd not sweat that too much. If at the end of the conversation tomorrow there is no flex I'd simply offer 'well, please take the next few days to reconsider your position'. If by 9 am Friday morning they don't move, hand in your 2 weeks then. Give them chance to be the good guy. a few days won't kill you.

i couldnt put in the 50 hours/week they assumed i would be willing to work during school, and i have guaranteed state health benefits till the ripe age of 27 :)

edit: they actually halved about everyone else's benefits as well and they suspended their 403b program as well... there will be several others leaving the company soon as well because of those

qwikz28
01-02-2012, 07:59 PM
or change jobs to somewhere that pays for continuing ed. My MBA was free. Well, I was an indentured servant for a period of time. But then it was free. lol

That wouldn't be a terrible thing to demand either. That would be of benefit to both you and the company. Win-win.

Squirrel
01-02-2012, 08:07 PM
That wouldn't be a terrible thing to demand either. That would be of benefit to both you and the company. Win-win.

No tuition reimb at my current company, though the company has paid for certain peoples educations in exchange for not pursuing a sexual harrasment suit

qwikz28
01-02-2012, 08:27 PM
Sounds fair.

fmybody
01-02-2012, 08:34 PM
I do not enjoy my work lol, its a very hostile work environment that treats people like they are cattle, and with the recent scandals that have been reported and the less-than-ethical direction of the company i would not like to be a part of it no longer...


Wow lol I guess I'm not alone.
No tuition reimb at my current company, though the company has paid for certain peoples educations in exchange for not pursuing a sexual harrasment suit

Our bosses should go bowling.

WildBillyT
01-02-2012, 08:41 PM
IMO, expect to take a walk. There's a ton of people out there with no jobs and employers know this and use it to their benefit. I know for a fact that my company never counter-offers, as once somebody wants to go they are already gone.

BonzoHansen
01-02-2012, 09:03 PM
IMO, expect to take a walk. There's a ton of people out there with no jobs and employers know this and use it to their benefit. I know for a fact that my company never counter-offers, as once somebody wants to go they are already gone.

+1.

sweetbmxrider
01-02-2012, 09:15 PM
gjdm

its GTL pal

1QWIKBIRD
01-02-2012, 09:19 PM
I would be very careful about the whole situation for a number of reasons.

First, companies don't like to be held hostage and that is what you are proposing. Even if they meet your demands, there will be backlash. You could experience resent from co-workers making for an even more difficult workplace. If word gets out that you made these demands, others may attempt the same thing because the precedence has been set. That is a major factor for the company to deny, regardless of you contributions.

Second, the economy is such that you could be replaced, possibly at a lower rate.

Third, quitting a job because of salary rarely looks good to the next employer (will you walk out on them too if you aren't compensated?). If the situation is as poor as you describe, you would be better off to simply resign citing the lack of a professional environment and leave salary out of the discussion entirely.

The best approach would be to secure other employment, based on work environment, schedule flexibility (for school), education reimbursement, and salary. Then you can resign and simply state you have secured and accepted a position with another company. Do not give specifics about the new position or even the company you are going too. And don't play one company against another, then you will have potentially burned two bridges. I've seen all these scenarios play out. And I have even seen people come crawling back from what was perceived to be a "better" position only to find out it wasn't.

By all means, if the work environment sucks and/or there are upper management issues, get out, but do it in such a way that your aren't hurting yourself in the process.

Chris

91chevywt
01-03-2012, 01:23 AM
I'm not sure what you mean by heavy raise (25-50%?), but since you're implying it's hefty in this economy it sounds like a long shot you'll get what you want. I've learned from the whole "I want more money or I'm out" thing and it rarely works out for young guys. The loss of a solid reference is a killer in this economy, it screams "over-educated and under-experienced." If your mind is really made up, you're better off just leaving on good terms and giving reasonable notice than taking a chance of it ending with a screaming match.

Squirrel
01-03-2012, 08:14 AM
Oh absolutely ill be professional, I've planned on leaving for quite some time and figured if I can squeeze a little money out of them give it a shot... but I just feel its best for my health and career at this time to quit

elle
01-03-2012, 03:54 PM
They prob won't care and will tell you to leave ASAP. I have known people that were escorted out of their job at that exact moment. Everyone is replaceable. Good luck on your future.

Squirrel
01-03-2012, 04:45 PM
Have a formal negotiation with HR tomorrow... will keep ya'll posted

fmybody
01-10-2012, 06:42 PM
hey what ever happened with this?

Squirrel
01-11-2012, 08:36 AM
no agreement was reached, friday is my last day :)

fmybody
01-11-2012, 02:54 PM
no agreement was reached, friday is my last day :)

well good for you I guess... did they budge at all?

Squirrel
01-12-2012, 09:09 AM
well good for you I guess... did they budge at all?

They did, but not far enough