U.S. Work World’s Job Hunt Tips
How to Leave a Job	
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Terminated (or fired) from a job —
If your employer is unhappy with your attitude or work performance, he/s
he may give you a termination 
notice which is usually effective immediately (the same day).  Giving you a termination notice i
s a polite 
way of saying that you are fired.   Ask your employer why you were fired.   Listen to what you are told 
without blaming other people or getting angry.  Think about what your employer said.   Plan how you 
are going to change so another employer will not say the same thing abou
t you in the future.  Realize that 
most employers think alike and will react to your attitude or work perfo
rmance in the same way — with a 
termination notice.  If you have done nothing wrong, you may have had th
e misfortune of being hired by 
an employer with a bad attitude who is impossible to please.  When this happens, be glad that you are out 
of an uncomfortable situation so that you may find a new, more interesting job with an employer who will 
appreciate you.
Quitting a job —
Think about the reasons behind this decision before taking action.  Ask yourself a few questions:  Do I 
like my job?  Can I afford to leave this job?  Am I learning valuable skills?  Does the new job pay more?  
Are the fringe benefits of the new job as good?  Do I want to quit because I don’ t like someone at work?  
If so, am I letting this person make me quit a good job?  Can I solve this problem another way?  Can I ask 
for a transfer or promotion?  Is the new job best for my career goals?   Will I learn valuable skills on the 
new job?  Will I have an opportunity to be promoted on the new job?   If your answers indicate that the 
new job is not much better than your present job, try to find out if there is something you can do to 
improve your present job before quitting.  Is there training you could get in order to change jobs within 
the same company?  Discuss training and promotion opportunities with your supervisor .  
Leaving gracefully —
If you have made a decision to resign (quit your job), do it properly (following correct procedures) and 
gracefully (showing politeness and charm).  Leave your employer and co
-workers feeling good about 
knowing you because:  1) You will find it easier to return to your old job if the new job does not work out 
for some reason, and  2) You will get a better reference from your employer to help you get jobs in the 
future.  It is important that you tell your supervisor that you are leav
ing  before you tell any coworkers.  
Give the supervisor one to two weeks notice that you are quitting.  Do n
ot become a lazy worker because 
you are leaving the job.  Meet with your supervisor to discuss leaving:  1)  Why you are leaving the job, 
2) Thanks for the job and for what you have learned, and 3) Your last day of work.  You may say:   "Mrs. 
Webster, I would like to tell you that I am leaving Happy Burger on June 16 because I have taken 
a job that will train me in new skills.  Thank you for the opportunity of working for Happy Burger.  
This job has shown me the importance of teamwork.  Would you like me to train a replacement?"  
In addition to telling your supervisor you are leaving the job, 
you may write a resignation (to resign — also called leaving a 
job) letter.  It is good to write a letter so that there are no 
misunderstandings.  A busy supervisor may forget that you gave 
notice and become upset when you leave.  A letter is proof that 
you gave notice.  The letter should cover the same three things 
you discussed during the meeting.