I was a bad fit for my last job because culturally it wasn’t a good match. The office was empty when I did my interview. Anyway. I ended up leaving after 4 miserable months. I let them know via email, I wanted nothing from them & didn’t need face to face.

The one time I did it by email was when I had a horribly unethical, lying, and manipulative boss. There was no way that I was going to spend any more time listening to crazy stuff come out of her mouth or let her screw me any more than she could. Sent a simple email with my news, cc’d her boss and HR, and never looked back.

Anonymous wrote:I always always do face to face, then follow up with an email documenting it in writing. It can be awkward. I have stayed at most of my employers 5+ years but I left one job after 18 months because I hated the company and thought the leadership, including my boss, were all unethical. In that case I still did it in person but gave no info, no details, just said thank you for the experience, I’ve taken another opportunity and my last day will be X. He repeatedly pressed me for why/what happened and I just kept repeating that I was offered a great opportunity and would be taking it. I did not give any further details.

Well said.

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in the office at least three days a week, do it in person
If you’re in the office two days or less, do it in email

Actually email and a phone call

If you’re in the office at least three days a week, do it in person
If you’re in the office two days or less, do it in email

Anonymous wrote:I always “forget” to attend any “exit interview”.

If cornered into one, then say nothing negative about the current company, instead just say you are excited about a new opportunity elsewhere (and do not say where you are going or what that opportunity is). The less said the better. Any negative comment you make will surely be placed in your personnel file and used to characterize you in a negative light.

Always remember that HR’s job is to protect management and protect the company. It is never HR’s goal to protect you.

Yes. I told them I was going to write mystery novels. Was excited about my online writing classes.

I lacked talent and didn't write them.

Face-to-face IF you are willing to listen to offers from your boss and IF you are willing to share the reason(s) why you are leaving.

Otherwise, resign via email so that a vindictive boss cannot fire you immediately.

If set on resigning and want to avoid any further discussion about why & where,then send the email to HR & copy your boss.

Anonymous wrote:I always “forget” to attend any “exit interview”.

If cornered into one, then say nothing negative about the current company, instead just say you are excited about a new opportunity elsewhere (and do not say where you are going or what that opportunity is). The less said the better. Any negative comment you make will surely be placed in your personnel file and used to characterize you in a negative light.

Always remember that HR’s job is to protect management and protect the company. It is never HR’s goal to protect you.

+1
Exit interviews are BS. If they cared, they ask about things while you are working there. But of course you can't be honest.

F2f and then follow up with email

I always “forget” to attend any “exit interview”.

If cornered into one, then say nothing negative about the current company, instead just say you are excited about a new opportunity elsewhere (and do not say where you are going or what that opportunity is). The less said the better. Any negative comment you make will surely be placed in your personnel file and used to characterize you in a negative light.

Always remember that HR’s job is to protect management and protect the company. It is never HR’s goal to protect you.

Be sure you copy any information that really is yours (and is not the company’s IPR) before giving notice. An example might be copying down the email/telephone numbers for your professional contacts. The company’s likely response to any resignation is an immediate cutoff from all IT systems.

Also, if you work on site, then quietly take your personal items (if any) home before giving any notice (again, to be clear this excludes items that belong to the company). Many places will escort folks out of the building immediately upon resignation and disable badge access. You don’t want to lose your kid’s photo or artwork if those are at your desk.