What you will find in this post
Wednesday morning. 09:08 AM JST. I broke the news to my team:
“So uhm… Good morning everyone. I want to share with you that I’ll be resigning from the team. After 3 years working at Travel Department, I have decided to pursue a new opportunity that aligns with my career goals. My last date is September 30th, so I’ll start my handover task and make sure everything is ready before I leave. Thank you for the support and collaboration from everyone. I’m really grateful”.
Ironic isn’t it, coz my last article was about my first year as a UX/UI Designer. You can read it (here).
September was filled with nostalgia. I had flashbacks of my intern days when I worked remotely from Southern Japan, my first day at work, and my first MVP award in my first year, among many more.
Why quit?
Just to be transparent: I did not quit, I resigned. Quitting comes with a negative connotation; But resignation is when you have had thoughtful consideration before leaving the job, followed by giving formal notice and proceeding to official resignation protocols, which was my case here.
So why did I resign?
As a thinking framework, I do believe in this Venn Diagram for an Ideal job. And for the past 2 years, each of the circles have been growing further and further apart.
My talent (skills/competencies) stemmed beyond the scope of work
Value mismatch with team culture overtime
Diminishing market demand for UXUI in Japan for junior people & foreigners, lowering my passion for the industry
(Bonus reason, but unexpectedly the biggest catalyst of them all: Key people in the team leaving).
Why now?
It was not a rush decision, but a carefully researched one.
Actually, I have been applying for new jobs since 2022. And failed miserably, linking back to my point regarding the failing potential for UXUI in Japan career for foreigners.
Actually, I have been waiting for this day for 6 months. I got the offer to move department to move to a new department back in April, but only was able to officially announce my transfer this morning.
And actually, people in the team had been waiting for me to say “This is my last day”. (And they mean well).
How to resign professionally
A flow on how to change job / resign. Your welcome 😅😅
Most of my readers are those looking for jobs, or is still in their first role. However, I do think that “The best time to look for a job is when you don’t need one”. So just in case you are / will consider resigning from your current role, follow these steps to ensure a smooth and professional transition:
🔐 Make sure you to actually secure a job: An offer is not an offer until it’s written down. It's essential to wait until you have a signed contract or official offer letter from your new employer before resigning from your current position. Verbal agreements or informal offers can fall through, so protect your career stability by ensuring you have a formal agreement in place.
📣 Notify your manager first: Before sharing the news of your resignation with colleagues, make sure your manager is the first person you inform. This demonstrates respect and professionalism, and allows them to start planning for your departure. Your manager will appreciate being kept in the loop and can help guide the transition process, making it smoother for everyone involved.
🪟 Be transparent and professional: When discussing your resignation, be honest about your reasons for leaving while maintaining a positive and professional attitude. Communicate clearly and concisely, ensuring your manager understands the situation. Avoid burning bridges by staying respectful in your interactions and maintaining a strong work ethic throughout your notice period. Remember that the professional connections you've made can be invaluable in your future career.
⏰ Give sufficient notice: Adhere to company policy when giving notice, typically providing two weeks or more (in my case, since I was the sole designer for the project, I gave them a full month 😅). This allows for a seamless handover of your responsibilities and ensures your team isn't left in a difficult position. Use this time to wrap up outstanding tasks, organize your files, and collaborate with colleagues to create a detailed plan for your departure. Your diligence during this period will leave a lasting positive impression and promote a supportive environment for future endeavors.
And a free template message that might come in handy….
Personally, I prefer giving the notice face-to-face, which shows more respect and prevents any misintepretation. But I know it can be scary going face-to-face with your manager, so here’s an email template you can refer to:
Subject: Notice of Resignation - [Your Name]
Hello [Manager's Name],
I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from my position as [Your Job Title] at [Company Name]. Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunities I have had during my time at [Company Name]. I have learned a great deal and have enjoyed working with my colleagues. However, I have decided to [Reason, e.g., pursue a new opportunity that aligns more closely with my career goals and professional development].
Over the next [Notice period length, e.g., two weeks], I will work diligently to complete any outstanding projects and tasks, and I am committed to ensuring a smooth handover of my responsibilities. I am more than willing to collaborate with my team members to develop a detailed transition plan and assist in training my replacement.
[Optional, Personal episode or good memories/achievements you made, and with the team]
Thank you once again for your support and guidance throughout my time at [Company Name]. Please let me know the next step
Sincerely,
[Your Name]