How to: Resign well

Heidi Bennett • August 16, 2023

Resigning from a job can be a daunting experience, but it's a crucial moment that can define how your professional legacy will be remembered. While your achievements during your tenure matter, it's often how you leave a business that lingers in the minds of your managers and colleagues.


When and where

Timing is everything when it comes to resigning. Seek an appropriate time to schedule a meeting in a private space where you can have an uninterrupted conversation with your manager to discuss your decision to allow you to have an open and honest discussion.


Resign in person

In the digital age, it might be tempting to resign via email, but face-to-face communication is crucial in this situation, and where possible in person is best. By resigning face-to-face, you convey that you value your time at the company and that your decision is not one made lightly.


Be open and honest

When you resign, be honest about your reasons for moving on without being overly critical of the company or your colleagues. Focus on the positive aspects of your experience and express gratitude for the opportunities you had. It's natural to have reasons for leaving, whether it's career growth, better work-life balance, or seeking new challenges. Share these reasons candidly but respectfully to maintain a good relationship with your manager and colleagues.


Notice period

Giving sufficient notice before your departure is a mark of professionalism. The standard notice period is typically four weeks, but consider providing more time if you have a critical role or if your projects require a smooth transition. Your willingness to help during the transition period will be appreciated and remembered by your manager and team.


Support during your resignation period

As you prepare to leave, offer your assistance in training your replacement or helping your team to take over your projects. This gesture demonstrates your commitment to the company's success even as you depart. Document your work processes, share important contacts, and be available for questions during your notice period. By being cooperative, you'll leave a positive impact on your manager and colleagues.


Finish well

The period after resigning can be challenging, but it's essential to remain focused and professional until your last day. Avoid becoming disengaged or neglecting your responsibilities. Finish strong, complete pending tasks, and tie up any loose ends. Your dedication and commitment to the job until the very end will be remembered by your manager and leave a lasting impression.


When it's time to say goodbye to a job, how you resign can shape how you'll be remembered by your manager and colleagues. By following these tips, you'll not only leave a lasting positive impression but also maintain valuable professional connections for the future. Remember, the way you leave a business can be just as important as what you achieved during your time there.

Do your career a favour: Leave well and create an opportunity to bounce back in the future - you never know when your paths might cross again!


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I recently had the pleasure of attending the B&T 30 Under 30 awards and had the chance to meet some incredibly talented rising stars in the industry. One standout was Aoife Lehane, a candidate we’ve had the privilege of working with, who was nominated and shortlisted in the Account Management category. Honestly, I wasn’t surprised at all—anyone who meets Aoife can immediately see how ambitious, creatively driven, and sharp she is. Here’s a look at her B&T 30 Under 30 experience and a glimpse into her impressive career: From starting your career in Dublin, to moving to Sydney and landing a fantastic role through iknowho at one of Australia’s top agencies, you’ve had an amazing career to date. Can you tell us a little more about your background? I have learned from some extremely talented people throughout my career to date and count myself very lucky to have had been afforded some amazing opportunities. I started my career at a boutique indie agency in Ireland where I got invaluable hands-on experience running my own accounts and pitching for new business quite early on. From here, I made the move to Droga5 in Dublin working on some of the agency’s largest clients. Whilst at Droga5, I went through a career crossroads moment where I was debating becoming a planner and actually spent 6 months working in the strategy department which I absolutely loved. This stint in strategy taught me invaluable skills that I use in my role everyday. Ultimately, I decided to stay in account management (if you hadn’t guessed!) as I couldn’t shake the curiosity of seeing the whole process come to life and the ability to really influence the work in all phases, beyond just what I touched in strat. It sounds cliché but I’m also a real people person and I thrive off building relationships. 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Personally, it was such a lovely moment to be recognised amongst such a talented group of people who have come from different backgrounds and corners of the globe. Having diversity in career paths and experience is so important for our industry to bring fresh perspectives and thinking – it only benefits the work, the people who make it and the people who see it. It was actually this time last year, seeing the finalists and the stories from past winners that inspired me to enter - I turn 30 this year so I figured if not now, when! What did you learn throughout the process of applying and what advice would you give to others looking to participate next year? Also, how did your agency help to support you in the process? I really enjoyed the process of applying and the moment of reflection it gave me on my career to date. So often I’m looking ahead to the next thing and don’t take the time to reflect on what I have achieved already. As someone who can be very hard on themselves, it was a really eye-opening and rewarding process to take part in. The 3 pieces of advice I would give to others looking to participate next year would be: 1: Think about the narrative you want to land from the start and how you weave that narrative through your response to the questions and constantly re-enforcing your point. 2: For me, it helped to get everything down on paper and then treat it as a bit of a creative review to condense and tighten (my first draft was 9 minutes long!) 3: Lean on those around you for their advice and point of view, you can get stuck in your own head when it comes to the submission, so it’s good to have those around you to offer that fresh perspective. I work with some very talented people who were extremely generous with their time not only offering me their advice and feedback but also their videography and editing skills to give my submission that final polish – it takes a village! 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