The Great Resignation continues to make its presence felt across the global workforce. According to Willis Towers Watson’s 2022 Global Benefits Attitudes Survey, 44% of surveyed employees consider themselves as “job seekers”. Based on Earthweb’s statistics, only 20% of the world’s workforce feel engaged in their work and 41% are thinking of resigning. In Vietnam, an online survey reported that six out of 10 people are looking for new work.

Quitting your job is a major career move that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Before you turn in your resignation, here are some points to help you make an informed decision and to guide you through the process.

1. Exhaust all internal options

Have you fully explored all possible means that would help you stay with your current employer? You may want to discuss with your manager if it’s possible to request for a raise (assuming the salary increase will be commensurate to your accomplishments), a new work schedule, or a shift to a different role that might give you more job satisfaction. Evaluate all your available options first. Doing so will also give you more reassurance if you finally decide to stay or quit.

2. Assess your professional needs

Identify what is it that you really need that can only be found if you leave your current job. Do you need a more flexible work schedule? Do you want to hone your skills in another industry? Knowing what will motivate you to resign will also help you to determine what you are aspiring for in your career.

3. Establish your post-resignation plan

If you’re resigning because you received a better job offer, good for you. But if there’s none, you’d better make sure you’re well-prepared. So before you resign, plan ahead on how you’ll get by financially whilst you’re looking for work. Create a more focussed job search plan with a clear idea on what your preferences are for the kind of job you want.

4. Keep a record of your accomplishments

Whether you have plans of resigning or not, make sure you document your noteworthy achievements whilst you’re still employed. This will provide an accurate record of your work experience. By the time you decide to resign, you’re ready with your list of accomplishments that you can include in your CV when you start applying again.

5. Ask for recommendations

Some employers request for references when they assess your application. Before you resign, ask for an endorsement from colleagues and supervisors that you’ve actively worked with. Make sure the ones you’ve chosen can provide an accurate perspective of your work experience.

6. Review your company’s resignation protocol

To ensure a smooth exit, take note of the company’s policy on employee resignations. Your employer might require a particular timeframe where you will tender your resignation to give them ample time to find your replacement. You might also be asked to do a proper turnover of office equipment and other official documents. In any case, be compliant with the protocols and don’t hesitate to ask HR or your manager for any clarification.

7. Assist with the seamless transition

After you’ve informed the relevant stakeholders about your resignation, find ways to help ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities without causing major disruptions in the day-to-day operations. Recommend candidates who can take on your role. Organise your files, documents, and other work-related materials for a smoother turnover. Do this out of respect for your manager and colleagues to save them time and effort as they adjust to your future replacement.

8. Gather your work samples

When you leave the company, you will no longer have access to any file-sharing platforms where you may have stored your work. So make sure you download and save on your personal storage all your samples of work, personal information, or other non-proprietary files whist you’re still with the company. This will enable you to build a portfolio that you can use to present to hiring managers during your application.

9. Be thankful and keep the connection

Take the time to thank your colleagues and your manager for their significant roles in your work life. Let them know that you’d like to stay connected and send them your contact details. Don’t burn bridges. It shows your professionalism and how much you value and respect your work relationships. You’ll never know when you might work with them again but in a different capacity.

10. Stay in contact with HR on your resignation process

Make sure that you meet up with an HR representative to help facilitate your resignation. Update them on your status, your compliance to the company’s resignation policies, and let them know if there’s any problem along the way. You can also enquire about any benefits that you can receive as an ex-employee. This includes your final pay, limited health or insurance coverage benefits, and other forms of compensation that may be due to you.

Highly recommended recruitment agency in Vietnam

The Talent Consultants provides permanent recruitment services in Vietnam for industry-leading companies that are looking for the most qualified candidates to become members of their organisation. As one of the highly-rated talent and staffing companies in Ho Chi Minh City, we stand out with our finely tuned recruitment process and a rich pool of top-tier talent from across the Southeast Asian region.

If you’re a job seeker, we’re here to support your career journey. You can find rewarding employment opportunities at our job vacancies page. You may also send your resume to our candidates page. We’ll inform you as soon as possible of any job opening that will best suit your unique skillset.

If you’re a hiring manager who needs professional expertise in sourcing top-tier talent, contact us at +84 28 7309 7991 or book your free consultation here. Visit our clients page for more details about our recruitment process.