How to Resign from a Job: Everything You Need to Prepare Before Leaving Your Job

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Resigning from a job is a part of your career. However, it's not easy to tell your supervisor or manager about your decision. In this case, you should know how to resign from a job professionally. This will help you to maintain good relationships with your employer.

Leaving a job can happen for many reasons. You might find a better opportunity, want higher pay, or need to move to a different city. Sometimes people leave because they are not happy with their work environment or want to try something new.

If you are planning to leave your job but don't know how to do it professionally, don't worry. Here, we will share everything you need to know about how to resign from a job. You will find some tips to tell your manager how to write a professional resignation letter and how to handle a counteroffer from your current employer. We gathered the information from various sources, Friday (26/9/2025).

When you want to leave your current position, knowing how to resign from a job correctly is very important. The resignation process has several steps that you should follow to make sure everything goes smoothly.

1. Choose the Right Time

Pick a day when your boss is not too busy or stressed. Monday mornings are often hectic with weekly planning, while Friday afternoons find people thinking about the weekend. Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday afternoons work better for important conversations. Avoid busy seasons, major project deadlines, or stressful periods at your company. Choose a moment when your supervisor can give you their full attention.

2. Prepare What You Want to Say

Before you talk to your boss, prepare your message carefully. Keep it simple and direct without being rude or negative. You do not need to explain all your reasons for leaving in detail. A basic explanation like "I have decided to pursue a new opportunity" is sufficient. Practice your words beforehand so you feel confident and calm during the actual conversation.

3. Schedule a Private Meeting

Set up a meeting with your supervisor in a quiet, private location. Do not resign by email, text message, or in front of other employees, as this shows disrespect. Face-to-face conversations demonstrate professionalism and courtesy. If you work remotely, a video call is acceptable. Give your boss time to process the news and ask questions in a comfortable setting.

4. Be Polite and Positive

During the meeting, thank your employer sincerely for the opportunities, training, and experiences they provided. Even if you had problems at work, focus on the positive aspects of your employment. This approach helps you maintain professional relationships and leave on good terms. Remember that your current colleagues might become valuable contacts in your future career.

5. Give Proper Notice

Most companies expect two weeks' notice, but check your employment contract for specific requirements. Some senior positions may require more time for proper transition. Offer to help train your replacement or finish important projects before you leave. This shows responsibility and professionalism. Be prepared to discuss your current workload and how to handle ongoing tasks during your remaining time.

After you talk to your boss, you need to write a formal resignation letter. This document creates an official record of your decision to leave.

- Start With a Professional Greeting: Begin your letter with a formal greeting like "Dear [Manager's name]" or "Dear [Title and Last name]." This sets a respectful and professional tone for your entire letter. Avoid casual greetings like "Hi" or "Hello." Using the correct name and title shows attention to detail and respect for your supervisor's position within the company.

- State Your Intention to Resign: Clearly state that you are resigning from your position in the first paragraph. Write something like "I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from my position as [your job title]." Be direct and clear about your decision without being abrupt or rude. This eliminates any confusion about the purpose of your letter from the very beginning.

- Include Your Last Working Day: State the exact date of your final day of work, counting forward from when you submit the letter to give proper notice. For example, "My last day of work will be [specific date]." This gives your employer clear information for planning your replacement and workload transition. Double-check the date to ensure you are providing the correct notice period required by your contract.

- Express Gratitude: Thank your employer sincerely for the experience, opportunities, and professional development they provided during your employment. This shows professionalism and helps maintain positive relationships for future networking. Mention specific things you learned, skills you developed, or projects you enjoyed. Gratitude demonstrates maturity and leaves a lasting positive impression on your employer and colleagues.

- Offer Assistance During the Transition: Let your employer know you are willing to help train your replacement, complete pending projects, or organize your work files before leaving. This demonstrates your commitment to leaving responsibly and professionally. Specify what you can do during your notice period to ensure a smooth handover. This gesture shows respect for your team and the company's continued success.

- Keep It Brief and Professional: Your resignation letter should be concise, typically one page or less, and focus only on essential information. Avoid mentioning negative experiences, complaints about the company, or detailed reasons for leaving. Stay positive and professional throughout the letter. Remember that this document may be kept in your employment file and reviewed by future employers during reference checks.

- End With a Professional Closing: Use formal closings like "Sincerely," "Best regards," or "Thank you," followed by your handwritten signature and printed name below it. Leave space between the closing and your name for your signature. This formal ending maintains the professional tone of your letter and provides a clear conclusion to your resignation communication.

- Use Proper Letter Format: Include the current date at the top, your complete contact information, and your employer's information below that. Add a clear subject line like "Resignation Letter" or "Notice of Resignation" to make the document's purpose immediately obvious. Use standard business letter formatting with proper spacing and alignment to create a professional appearance that reflects well on you.

- Proofread Before Submitting: Check your letter carefully for spelling mistakes, grammar errors, and typos before giving it to your supervisor. Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing or missing words. A well-written, error-free letter reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. Consider having a trusted friend review it as well to catch any mistakes you might have missed.

Sometimes, when you resign, your current employer will make a counteroffer to convince you to stay. A counteroffer is when your boss offers you something better, like more money, a promotion, or improved working conditions, to keep you from leaving. Here are some tips on how to handle a counteroffer from your current employer:

- Consider Why You Originally Wanted to Leave: Think carefully about the real reasons you decided to resign from your current position. If the problems were mainly about salary or benefits, a financial counteroffer might solve them effectively. However, if you were unhappy with your job duties, company culture, work-life balance, or lack of growth opportunities, more money alone might not fix these fundamental issues that motivated your decision to leave.

- Evaluate the Offer Carefully: Look closely at what your employer is promising and examine the details of their counteroffer. Is it just temporary improvements to keep you for a few months, or are they offering real, long-term changes that will benefit your career? Sometimes companies make promises they cannot or will not keep just to buy more time to find your replacement, so be cautious about verbal commitments.

- Think About Your Relationship With Your Employer: Consider how your boss and coworkers might view you after you attempt to leave the company. Some people worry that their employer might not trust them as much in the future or might start looking for their replacement immediately. There could be concerns about your loyalty and commitment. Think about whether this situation might affect your job security or advancement opportunities going forward.

- Remember Your Original Career Goals: Ask yourself honestly if staying will help you reach your long-term career objectives and personal aspirations. The new job you planned to take might offer better opportunities for professional growth, skill development, and learning new things. Consider which option aligns better with your career path, industry interests, and the direction you want your professional life to take in the coming years.

- Consider the Timing: Think about whether this is the right time in your life and career to make a significant change like switching jobs. If you have been planning this career move for a long time and have already made mental preparations, it might be best to stick with your original decision. Consider your personal circumstances, family situation, and financial needs when evaluating the timing of this important decision.

- Be Honest About Your Decision: Whatever you choose to do, communicate clearly and directly with your employer about your final decision. If you decide to stay, make sure you understand exactly what they are offering and get any promises in writing. If you choose to leave, thank them sincerely for the counteroffer, but explain that you have made your final decision and will be moving forward with your resignation.

- Act Quickly: Do not take too long to respond to a counteroffer from your current employer. Your new employer is waiting for your answer, and delaying too long might cost you the new opportunity entirely. Most companies expect a response within 24-48 hours. Taking too much time to decide might make both your current and potential employers question your decision-making abilities and commitment to your choices.

- Trust Your Instincts: Listen carefully to your feelings and inner voice about what is right for your career and personal life. You know your work situation, goals, and circumstances better than anyone else. Consider what will make you happiest and most fulfilled in the long run. Sometimes our gut feelings provide valuable guidance when making difficult career decisions that will impact our professional and personal well-being significantly.

Resigning from a job is never easy, but following these steps will help you leave professionally and maintain good relationships. Remember that how you leave a job can affect your reputation and future opportunities, so always aim to resign with dignity and respect.