snacks

Resigning this week gulp

My stomach is doing summersaults as I type this but I just verbally accepted a new role and am waiting for the paperwork to sign in the next 24 hours.

I have a 1:1 with my boss this Thursday and plan to drop the news I am resigning from my current company. I am focused on leaving gracefully and not burning a bridge however I just got a promotion and my leaving might not be received super well (reason being I'm top 3 reps out of 20, brought in more revenue than anyone else in 2023 and was #2 rep in 2024. I'm not a superstar, but I did deliver results.)

Any advice to mitigate the fallout? Or any advice in general?

and before everyone says the magic words "just be professional" yes I understand professionally everything can be done right, but still leave sour feelings

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MRK47

Tycoon

Head of Growth

Perfectly natural to feel nervous about the upcoming convo…as well as perfectly natural to look to develop your career and seek continued progression. Hopefully there will be a part of your manager who respects / understands the decision.

Yes, professionalism is a given but his main concern will be to mitigate any fall-out from your departure. Reassure him/her that you are developing a transition plan to limit any negative impact to the business incl. full visibility into current pipeline, up to date reporting and detailed notes for whoever will be taking over your role etc.

And try to keep it short and to the point. The longer the conversation (or deeper you go into reasons), the higher the probability it can create a fall-out (also depends on the attitude of your manager - if they went to bat for you to get the recent promo, then inevitably there will be some friction but your priority is what’s best for you).

Out of interest and having performed well over recent years and gained progression with recent promotion, what was missing? Why the decision to move on?

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Developing the transition plan is key here. Offering to help and participating in the turn over of accounts is going to be important - and will lead to not burning bridges. Making sure that all your records are accurate and that all collateral is where it needs to be for the next rep is crucial.
Congratulations to you on landing a new role!

snacks

Valued Contributor

Thanks @Sunbunny31 !! If there's one thing I'ma do it's leave an immaculate pipeline with clear notes and next steps because that's the snacks way 😤

Thrashblock

Opinionated

Enterprise Account Executive

I agree keep it short and to the point. Also let them eat cake

snacks

Valued Contributor

@MRK47 tale as old as time -- they fucked with my money

(skewed the comp plan so heavily that it eroded a significant chunk of my good will and trust)

unclespacejam

Politicker

ur dad’s brother

Be kind but direct. Thank them for the opportunity to drive some real tangible results and maybe blow some smoke up their ass “your leadership enabled me to deliver excellent results”

Be direct though. Be firm. “I won’t dance around things, you deserve transparency and forthright handling of this: I’ve accepted a new role at another company so I will be resigning effective X date. Working here has been blah blah blah”

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

This plus transition plan is a winning strategy

Congrats on the new role @snacks !!

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Your assuming there will be fallout. There probably won't be. Guess what if you weren't delivering for them you'd get booted instead of promoted. works both ways. "I have an opportunity that is really hard to say no to and have accepted it." That simple.

snacks

Valued Contributor

@Justatitle totally right on my assuming. Fallout more so because I just got a promo and they probably think they appeased me.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Did you get the written offer and sign? If yes congrats. Maybe it says more about their promotion because it wasn’t good enough to keep you and they’ll make it better for the next person. Either way it’s better for you and you have to look out for #1

snacks

Valued Contributor

yep, signed it this morning! And you nailed it - looking out for my #1 - ME!

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Be objective, be gracious, and offer to do the right thing by working out your notice and preparing the next person in line to be successful.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

Good luck!

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

You have great comments and it looks like you know what to be done. All the best!!

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I left a company a couple years ago and I thought I’d be professional and speak with my boss. Big mistake. I should have just emailed him AND HR. I learned and when I quit my job in Dec and that is what I did.

Good luck!

snacks

Valued Contributor

@Pachacuti It's funny how dynamics change isn't it? :/

My 1:1 is a standing meeting so it feels appropriate to verbally give them the news to their face, and then immediately follow with a written letter to them and HR like you said

FeelItInMyPlums

Executive

Sales Account Executive

Disclaimer: Don't mention a thing until that other offer is signed and countersigned.
That out of the way...I'd recommend sending a thorough email the morning of your 1 on 1 (or whatever day you're going to give notice). Title it: First name last name resignation. That's all.
That way A) Your manager has documentation of your plans which he is likely going to ask for anyways, and B) You can take time to thank the company, share your availability and willingness to transition as affectively as possible (if you have a transition plan or documentation to share, drop that in as well).
Small world, if you're leaving on good terms and after putting up solid results, there's a good chance you run into at least some of these people again.
PS: Congrats on the new gig - onwards and upwards!

ChumpChange

Politicker

Channel Manager

Inform them of your recent decision. Thank them for the opportunity. Offer to support them during the transition period by either handing off current work or training your successor. Wait to see how they respond. And lastly, SCREW THEIR FEELINGS! They would lay you off in a heartbeat if things needed to be "restructured".

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

How'd it go?

snacks

Valued Contributor

Honestly, I feel a bit like Chicken Little with how nervous I was.. but it went better than I expected! Everyone was surprisingly understanding, and I've got a solid transition plan in place, so I feel good about how I'm leaving things
I just have to keep reminding myself that it's okay to prioritize myself. As so many people here reminded me, if the roles were reversed, the company wouldn't hesitate to do what's best for them either.

Filth

Tycoon

Live Filthy or Die Clean

@snacks I just went through this and it went WAAAY more smoothly than my gut and anxiety were telling me it would. Not only did my CEO understand but he actually is having me consult for a few months to close some existing deals while I onboard with the new organization. I've even been able to get a contract for the podcast I was doing for the old org and getting paid about $40k just do about 2 hours of work a week including being recorded just talking (I'm a salesperson I don't know how not to fucking talk and I LOVE FUCKING asking questions so its easy easy money).
Be straightforward - don't give them an opening to counteroffer if it would just make you miserable to be at the same place (vice versa if there is a magic number - don't be afraid to tell them). Let them know you are available for a set amount of time in windows that work for you to transition and to give context to any deals or conversations you've had in the past that a CRM may not have captured.
They'll understand and as someone great online forum users told me (that's you savages here) they wouldn't think twice before canning you and leaving you cold on the street if it was the other way around. It's great you have morals and empathy but don't let that get in the way of a natural transition that is the right move for you ( i assume it is b/c you are doing it).
Good luck - I know it went well for me and it will be great for you too!

snacks

Valued Contributor

Bang on @Filth - I was pleasantly surprised at how supportive they were, despite making it clear they were disappointed

Congrats to you as well my dude!! That podcast sounds dope

TheRealPezDog

Notable Contributor

Sr. Business Development Manager

First off, congrats. Not easy to do in this job market... Secondly, you don't owe them anything on the way out and damnit I'm just so freaking excited for you! LFG!!! Who cares what they think, these companies like to "act" like they're our family but I assure you we're just a name on their dashboards, good for you and good luck to you out there!

snacks

Valued Contributor

❤️

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

What all the above mentioned!

But, why don’t you wait for the paperwork to arrive though?

I remember a company didn’t share any offer letter to me, post salary negotiations and CEO interviews, even after clearing. I kept following up for feedback and reason for them ghosting, never got anything.

So, I may be thinking too much but I’d say wait till you get the paperwork.

Plus, I am sure he’d understand. Everyone wants to move forward, earn more, go onto a better title, if you are very important to them, they might even retain you.

snacks

Valued Contributor

@Gasty offer is now signed.

In your experience have you ever accepted a counter offer? I don't think I would entertain one in this case

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

I think I know many people who entertain the offer. If their experience was good, comfortable work situation, then you get a pay bump. Yeah sure, why not?

Congratulations!!!

DollHairs

Good Citizen

Owner

Congrats!

MRK47

Tycoon

Head of Growth

100% agree to wait until signed paperwork in hand - way too many horror stories of 'post verbal offer' ghosting. I'm kinda going through that right now.

Retired Sales Professional

Top 3 out of 20 is a pretty big deal, they should be the ones letting you know the door will always be open.

goose

Politicker

Sales Executive

You can’t control how others react, you can only control the message. Keep it short. Move on. If they fired you they would say “today is your last day, HR will take it from here”.

LMachine

Big Shot

Sr. BDR

How long did it take them to promote you? Was it long awaited? If dragged their feet then.... Don't let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split you! (On your way out the door, C'mon now life is too short.)