The average person changes jobs about 5 to 7 times during their career, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and today, about 30% of the workforce will change jobs every 12 months. If you happen to be moving on from your current role or plan to accept a new job soon, you may wonder how to break the news to your boss.

Depending on your situation, you might feel a mix of emotions, from guilt or sadness to joy and gratitude. No matter how you feel, though, bringing up the conversation is seldom easy. Adrian Granzella Larssen, the founder of Society, a creative content studio, says you can make the discussion as low stress as possible by following a few steps. We share her tips in this issue of PromoPro Daily.

Remember this happens often. You’re not the first person to resign, and you won’t be the last, Larssen says. Before knocking on your boss’ door, take a deep breath and remind yourself that quitting a job is a totally normal part of the working world.

Consider how your boss might respond. Will they get weepy and present a counteroffer? Will they send you on a guilt trip or try to get you to stay longer than the notice you’ve given? They probably won’t start throwing things in a fit of anger, Larssen says, but they may not respond in the way you anticipated. It’s best to prepare for the reaction you might get.

Practice the conversation. When you know how you want to get the discussion started – and how you’ll address your boss’s questions – you can take some of the stress out of it. Larssen advises jotting down some notes and rehearsing with a friend, or just say it out loud to yourself. Try to work on responses to questions they’ll likely ask you, like where you’re headed, what inspired the move and the date of your last day. Feel free to give as much information as you’re comfortable with, and make sure you give at least two weeks’ notice. If you work in a higher-level role, try to give a bit more time.

Scheule a face-to-face meeting. An in-person meeting is best, but if you don’t work in the same location as your boss, set up a video call. On the morning you plan to submit your resignation, Larssen suggests sending a message like, “Do you have a minute to hop on Zoom?” or “Hey, can we chat for 15 minutes today?”

Psych yourself up. It’s hard to leave a job you truly love, but remember why you chose to resign in the first place. Larssen says it’s likely a great move and you’ll feel amazing once you have the difficult conversation with your boss. Remembering your next step can help you feel calm and positive rather than worried and panicked.

Plan to stay in touch. It’s common to keep in touch with former bosses and co-workers. Make sure your team knows how to reach you once you pack up your desk for good. Plus, you may have opportunities to collaborate in the future, Larssen says.

If you’ve decided to put in your two weeks’ notice, follow the tips above to make the discussion go as smoothly as possible. Try to do it in person if you can and make sure you provide a formal letter of resignation. Quitting your job on good terms could lead to references or future opportunities down the line.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Adrian Granzella Larssen was The Muse’s first employee and editor-in-chief. She’s also the founder of Society, a creative content studio.