When it comes to your career, there are a handful of things that you’ll inevitably end up going through at some point: applying for a new construction job, interviewing and resigning. Whether you’re in a permanent role with years in your current role behind you, or you’ve only been with that company for a short time, these never get any easier.
Resigning from your job can be tricky and there are certainly potential risks of burning bridges with your employer if it’s handled poorly. If you’re thinking of resigning, here’s what you need to know.
Make Sure You’re Certain that You Want to Leave
It’s important to have the right reasons for wanting to leave your current role, if you feel that it’s time for a new challenge or feel you want to move in a new direction, the chances are it’s time to go. Be sure to take plenty of time to think it over before acting, though. This is a big decision and warrants fair consideration.
Speak to Your Manager and Colleagues
Request to have a conversation with your manager, it’s best to do this on a Friday afternoon as this will give them the weekend to think it over. Doing this will also help to remove any negative emotions from the situation and ensure you leave on the right note.
It’s probable that over your time with the company, you’ve had a mentor or someone who helped you at some point over your time within the organisation. At this point, it’s a good idea to thank them and let them know your appreciation for the assistance they gave you. This will help you build a network that could last you for the rest of your career.
Write a Letter of Resignation
You should address your resignation letter to your manager and should cite the reasons you wish to resign. Remember to keep it positive, you want to leave your current job on a positive note, especially if you need a good recommendation. Take this opportunity to thank your manager for the opportunities they’ve offered you. If you’re not sure where to start with this, take a look at our resignation letter template here.
Continue to Work Through Your Notice Period
The contract you received at the start of your employment will outline your required and agreed notice period. To leave on the best possible terms, you can offer to stay beyond this period to ease the transition between yourself and your replacement. It’s also a good idea to offer to train your replacement during this transition, this will leave you in excellent standing with your employer, and they will reflect this in any recommendation given to you.
Request an Exit Interview
Whether you’ve loved every minute of your time with your current company or have some concerns or ideas you’d like to put forward, once you hand in your resignation you can request to have an exit interview with your manager. This will allow you to disclose anything that may have been bothering you or give any feedback that you feel could help them improve.
An exit interview will also give you an opportunity to ask your manager if they have any advice for you. This will allow you to determine what you could improve on or any key things you should focus on before you embark on your next role.
Contact a Recruiter
Whether you do so before you resign or after you’ve finished your role, it’s always helpful to get in touch with a recruiter to help with your next steps.
Recruiters, like our construction recruitment specialists, can give you advice on your CV template and keep you posted on any opportunities that may be available to you. Whether you’re unsure of your next move or you’re confident in the path you wish to take, recruiters can add great value to your decision-making process.
Summary
If you’re considering resigning from your current job, be sure to take some time beforehand to ensure you’re making the right decision. Following this guide step-by-step will ensure you leave your role on the right note, maintaining strong relationships for the rest of your career whilst also building a positive reputation within the industry, which can go a long way to being successful for opportunities in the future.
For support with finding construction jobs and navigating the construction recruitment process in New Zealand, contact our team today.
