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If you’re thinking about leaving your job, it can help to have a plan in place. This guide walks you through how to resign from a job professionally, including how much notice to give, what to say to your manager, and how to set yourself up for whatever comes next.
Quick overview
- Taking time to reflect can help you decide if leaving is the right step
- Resigning involves giving notice and confirming your final day of work
- Your notice period depends on your job type and your contract (if you have one)
- It’s possible to leave in a way that feels right for you
Before you resign: a few things to think about
If you’ve been thinking about quitting but are still on the fence, it can help to pause and check in with what’s going on for you before taking the next step.
Sometimes the things that make a job feel difficult can be improved with the right support, a conversation, or a bit more time.
Reflecting on these questions may help you identify what’s not working and what you might need going forward:
- What has been feeling difficult or frustrating about this job?
- Is this something that has been building over time, or is it linked to a recent situation?
- Has your experience been influenced by bullying, discrimination or harassment?
- Is there anything happening outside of work that might be making this job feel harder or less enjoyable right now?
- Have you had a chance to talk to your manager about what's not working for you? Were your concerns taken seriously?
- Are there any changes to your job that could help, like different tasks, hours, training or support?
- Are there any parts of this job that you do enjoy or want to keep building on?
If you feel comfortable, it might also help to talk things through with family or someone else you trust. Getting another perspective can make it easier to sort through your thoughts and explore what your options might be.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between a job that isn’t the right fit and feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. Learning more about work burnout and how it can show up might help you work out whether it could be playing a part in how you are feeling about your job.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure about your decision, or just need someone to talk things through with, you can reach out to a headspace centre or connect with eheadspace for support.
Even if you do decide to leave, reflecting on your experiences can be valuable learning and help you identify what to look for in your next role.
How much notice do you need to give?
It’s generally a good idea to let your employer know you’re leaving as early as possible so they can plan for your replacement. Depending on what kind of job you have (casual, part-time or, full-time) you may be required to give a minimum amount of notice of your intention to leave. If you don’t, it could affect your final pay or entitlements (like annual leave payouts).
The first thing you should do is check your employment contract as notice periods are often set out in this document.
If you can’t find this information in your employment contract, or you weren't given one, you can use the Fair Work Notice and Redundancy Calculator to give you an idea of how much notice you may need to give.
It’s also important to know that your required notice period may be determined by how long you’ve been employed there, and also that an employer can choose to reduce or remove your notice period completely. If you feel comfortable, consider speaking to your employer about what notice period would suit both you and them.
How to tell your boss you're leaving
It can be hard to tell your boss that you want to leave. You might be worried about how they will react, or nervous to take this final step. These feelings are common, even if you’ve been through this before.
It might help to know that this is often a short, professional conversation where you let your manager know your decision and your final day of work. Even though it may feel like a big moment, it’s a normal part of working life, and you should be treated with respect.
Here are a few suggestions for how you could approach it:
How to write a resignation letter
Some companies don’t require formal written notice, if you’re not sure try checking your employment contract. Even if a formal letter isn’t a part of your organisation's official resignation process, it is always a good idea to document your resignation in writing.
All you need is a short letter or email outlining your intention to leave and final dates of employment (last day of your notice period if there is one). How much you feel like explaining is up to you, but this isn’t the right place to document negative feedback; many workplaces will offer an exit interview where you can go into more detail if you want to.
- Keep it short, polite and respectful, thanking the employer for the opportunity to have worked there.
- Keep emotion out of it - don't send a resignation letter in the heat of the moment. Try writing it out and running it past someone you trust first for suggestions. A good idea is to leave at least 24 hours between your decision to resign, and writing/submitting a resignation letter.
- Check out SEEK and Youth Central for some easy templates and more advice.
What to do after you’ve resigned
After you’ve submitted your resignation to your boss, there are several steps you can take to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
During your final few weeks or days at your current job, you can help your company with the transition by handing over any work that is in progress. Understanding the best ways to handle work after resigning can help you maintain a good relationship with your former employer which will support your search for another job.
- To ensure a smooth transition for your replacement, be sure to document your daily duties, ongoing projects, and any relevant resources and contacts. If you are open to helping with the recruitment and training of your replacement, that is a great option if appropriate.
- Ask your boss if they would be willing to be a reference for future jobs. If for whatever reason your boss is not willing to be a reference for you, consider asking another supervisor or even a colleague, as a future employer may be happy to chat with anyone who can confirm your previous duties. It’s good to ask at this time as it makes it easier to reach out when you do need a reference down the track.
- Check your contract and see what they are required to pay you. Your employer may have to pay out your entitlements such as accumulated annual leave, long service leave or payment in lieu of notice (if they waived your notice period.) For more information visit the Fair Work website.
- Reflect on your experience. You could journal, chat to a friend, family member, Elder or someone else you trust. It might be something you wish to discuss with your mental health supports too, particularly if the experience was negative. Reflecting on a negative experience at work can also help you to identify what you do or don’t want in a job or workplace in the future.
- Try to avoid speaking poorly about your previous workplace at your new job or online - you never know who knows who. It could be helpful to take some time to think about how you want to respond to a potential employer if they ask you why you left. Try to be as honest as you can whilst remaining professional and stick to the positive experiences you had in that job.
- You could say something like "Although I really enjoyed my team and my work, I'm ready for my next challenge and am looking to take on more responsibility in my next role and use my skills to their full potential.” or “I'm excited about taking the next step in my career. I loved the people I worked with and the projects I worked on, but I realised that I wasn't being challenged the way I used to. Rather than let myself get complacent, I decided to pursue a position where I can continue to grow and learn something new."
- You could say something like "Although I really enjoyed my team and my work, I'm ready for my next challenge and am looking to take on more responsibility in my next role and use my skills to their full potential.” or “I'm excited about taking the next step in my career. I loved the people I worked with and the projects I worked on, but I realised that I wasn't being challenged the way I used to. Rather than let myself get complacent, I decided to pursue a position where I can continue to grow and learn something new."
In your own time (outside of work hours), you can prepare yourself for a new job or to begin job searching. This can include doing things like creating a job search plan and reviewing your resume.
Get support
Deciding to take this step in your career and navigating everything that comes afterwards can be overwhelming, but we're here to support you. If you're aged 15 - 25 and want to talk through your options, get free and confidential support from the Work and Study team and sign up for one-on-one support.
For support with your mental health and wellbeing, find your nearest headspace centre or access online and telephone support via eheadspace.
The headspace Clinical Reference Group oversee and approve clinical resources made available on this website.
Last reviewed June 2023.
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Greenblatt, E. (2002). Work/Life Balance: Wisdom or Whining. Organisational Dynamics, vol 31, No.2, pp 177-193. PII: S0090-2616(02)00100-6 (execu-care.com)
Should I Quit My Job? 10 Common Reasons To Resign. (Updated March 11, 2023). Should I Quit My Job? 10 Common Reasons To Resign | Indeed.com
20 Reasons to Quit a Job Without Another Lined Up. (Updated March 30, 2023) 20 Reasons to Quit a Job Without Another Lined Up | Indeed.com
i quit! your 5 point checklist on how to resign the right way. (05 September 2022). I quit! your 5 point checklist on how to resign the right way | Randstad Australia | Randstad Australia
Try to avoid talking to co-workers about your resignation before speaking to your manager. Word can spread quickly and it’s best they hear it from you first.
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