10 Tips To Resign Your Job With Professionalism And Pride

We all know how much trouble it can be to find a new job. The hardest part is often making sure that you come off as professional and leave with pride. Most people will just be happy with a mediocre resignation letter, but not you! You want to make a statement that says "goodbye" with style!

Use these 10 tips when resigning your boss, or when leaving any job for that matter — they'll help set the tone for how you should take care of business before walking out the door, and even inspire others to follow your example if they read them.

How to avoid writer's block: 

- First of all try getting some fresh air. Take a walk outside or go for a run.

- Take a break, even if it's just for half and hour. 

- Do something else, anything else.

- If you're at your computer try clearing the screen and focusing on one thing or write longhand with a pen on paper. 

- If you get writer's block often try talking to someone about what's bothering you, but go easier on yourself too — everyone gets stuck sometimes.

How to keep things professional:  

- Don't burn any bridges — no matter how angry or frustrated you are; it will only hurt your reputation and make it harder to find work in the future.

- Keep your tone professional and polite, even if the person you're writing is not. 

- If you have to share your opinion, try to take a diplomatic approach.  

- Be careful with humor and sarcasm — no matter how much you may enjoy these things now, it may not be as funny or clever in writing form.

How to answer difficult questions:  

- Try not to get defensive when answering a difficult question; remember, someone is just trying to understand your reasoning and needs for leaving the company.  

  - Asking questions about why you're leaving gives an opportunity for you to explain yourself further and keep control of the conversation.  

  - Be honest, but be professional — don't burn any bridges and don't badmouth your bosses or your former co-workers.

How to leave a bad situation:  

- Everyone has to walk away from a difficult situation or job at some point, so try to remember that it's better to part now than it is letting things go on and on.  

  - It's not easy, but try not to burn any bridges.  Even if you have a bad history with someone you may still run into them in the future — at the office, in an interview room or just on the sidewalk — and it's best for everyone if you leave on a positive note.  

- Be careful with negative things to say about the company or your boss.  Even if you don't agree with the decision, it could be an opportunity for you to make a professional impression and impress potential employers.

How to impress future employers:  

- Stay on top of new events and trends in your field, and make sure that you're informed about what is going on in the job market at all times.  

  - Losing your job can be a great opportunity for learning. Read job postings and see what companies are looking for, then develop a resume and cover letter that will help you stand out from the competition.  

- If you have to be laid off, try to understand why.  Even if it's not your fault, it will help to understand the reasoning behind certain changes so that you can be better prepared for the future.

How to share your story:  

- Try using a friend or family member as a sounding board — they can help you get your thoughts in order before sending a letter to your boss.  

  - Don't forget to add something formal like "Thank You" or "Sincerely" at the end — even if it seems obvious or unnecessary, little things like this show others that you care about details and follow proper etiquette.  

How to keep a professional attitude:  

- Keep a positive outlook and don't let other people's moods get to you.  A good attitude will help you avoid a knockdown, drag out battle with an angry or disappointed boss.  

- Don't let the company's bad news or your own misfortune affect your outlook, try to remain positive and focused on finding a new job.  Even if you lose weight, or get sick — it won't kill you and/or your plan to find work.

How to avoid a bad first impression:  

- The first thing that people will notice about you is how you look, so make sure that you take some time for a complete wardrobe change.  

  - If you're still in the office when your boss leaves make sure that your phone and desk are tidy; this will also prevent other people from noticing anything out of place while they are taking their leave.  Try not to lurk in your cubical — even if you don't work there anymore — but be sure to find another place to go.  

How to avoid being catty:

- Try not to speak negatively about people you worked with, especially your ex-coworkers at another company.  Even if you think it's appropriate, badmouthing someone from the past can give a negative impression and may be unnecessary in the future.  

- Try and keep negative thoughts about other companies and current moves out of your mind; gossiping is what small town people do, not big city professionals.  Try focusing on being professional and taking pride in your accomplishments.

How to avoid saying something you're going to regret:  

- Don't get into a fight with your boss or leave with a bad taste in your mouth.  Even if they deserve it, try not to make any enemies while you're still working at the same place.  

  - If you have been treated poorly or if your boss has done something wrong, try and keep it short and simple — be careful with negativity and don't badmouth anyone.  

  - If possible, talk it out in person or over the phone; avoid writing honest comments about your boss on Facebook or anywhere else for that matter — social media is not for airing dirty laundry and gossiping about others.

Conclusion:

Layoffs and downsizing can be scary and emotional times. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to keep your head up and remember that these kinds of things happen to everyone — even big businesses have tough years where their profits have to stay under the line.  Getting fired or laid off is a lot like getting divorced; it's not always your fault, there are usually multiple factors involved, but you will have to move on with your life.

The problem is that moving on isn't easy and it doesn't happen overnight.