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How do I quit a job I just started?

Hi Career Village community,

I am sharing this with you all in hopes to hear your own wisdom, experiences, and life stories.

I recently accepted my first full time, salaried position after graduating college at a little under $48k. A week in, I got an offer for at least $58k for another position--both doing great work in the world. #job #career

I know that I just started this new position--and all my friends say to take the new offer, and that's what I want to do, and...how do I engage with my manager for the next two weeks when I just started? How do I write a letter with integrity?

Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

Sincerely,
Maddie

Thank you comment icon It's a small world so don't burn bridges and always be polite and appreciative. Harris Oliner

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Doc’s Answer

Madeline if you are thinking about quitting a job you have just started, be absolutely sure that you want to quit before you mention it. Since your employer has probably spent considerable time recruiting and orienting you, your supervisor will most likely not be thrilled to hear about your resignation. However, you need to do what's best for you, and leaving may be the only option. It can also be better for the organization for you to quit, so that it doesn't invest any more resources in onboarding and training you. Once you've decided to resign, arrange to meet face-to-face with your supervisor so you can discuss your resignation in person. Be prepared to explain why you're leaving, be tactful as not to burn any bridges unnecessarily. Whenever possible, give your employer a considerable amount of notice regarding your intended departure, it is always preferred to provide your employer with at least two weeks' notice of your resignation to give them time to find a replacement. Most employers will not want to keep you around for an excessive amount of time following your resignation but will appreciate the gesture of good faith. Be prepared to leave the day you give notice, even if you have offered to work for an additional two weeks.

Hope this helpful Madeline

Doc recommends the following next steps:

RESIGN IN PERSON – While uncomfortable, you should break the news to your boss face to face so that you're perceived as being professional. Then ask how she'd like you to notify the rest of the team. Don't tell your co-workers you're quitting until you speak with your boss.
KEEP IT POSITIVE – You don't need to explain why you're quitting. Tell your boss that you thought long and hard, and it wasn't an easy decision to make. If your manager presses you for an explanation, simply say that you feel leaving is the best decision for both you and the company.
RESIGNATION LETTER – Many employers require paper documentation for resignations. Write your resignation letter in a business format. That means you need to include your contact information, the date and the company details at the top of the page. Use proper salutation and closing compliments. Don't forget your signature for the resignation to be valid.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for your continued support Kim. Positive thinking will let us use our abilities, training and experience we have. Doc Frick
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Thank you comment icon Thank You Katie. We don't have to be great to start, but we have to start to be great. Doc Frick
Thank you comment icon Thank You Mingze. The past is our LESSON. The present is our GIFT. The future is our MOTIVATION. Doc Frick
Thank you comment icon Thank You Jesse. Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others. Doc Frick
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Maria’s Answer

Congratulations on the job offer. As the other answers have suggested it is important to have an honest and straightforward conversation with your manager. In addition to the email, you should also try to have a conversation with your manager even if virtual so you leave on good terms. They may offer you a counteroffer so you need to weigh all your options and make an informed decision and ask yourself some key questions. Is the only motivation the increased salary? Are you going to enjoy the work at the new place? Is the company culture better or worse at the new place vs the old place? Are you going to grow in your career and advance in either job? And is the company also growing and advancing? Take all this into consideration before purely making a decision based on salary.
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Jyoti’s Answer

Madeline-

If you actually started the job, don't leave the job . This is really a message for others, as it is just clear that you are going to quit your job but you don't want to feel guilty about it. Currently the job market is hot , as they say. It will not always be this way. It is very possible this information will come out in the future. (Linked In or even a background check.) It's a glaring issue that indicates to future hiring managers that you left a job after only a few days. It will be a question you will need to answer for a long time. I have stayed at jobs I didn't like for a minimum of two years just so I did not look like someone who cannot retain a job. In addition, hiring managers always make specific comments about my ability to retain and grow my rank at the same institutions.
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Kim’s Answer

Maddie,

I'd like to ask that you reconsider your decision. You said that both positions are doing "great work in the world." When company "A" offered you a position, you thought it was a good offer, and accepted it. You made a commitment. That should stand for something.

There are lots of things that can happen in life. Too many times I've seen Company "B" rescind its job offer, AFTER the employee has already given notice at Company "A." Of course, if you turn down the offer, Company "A" could undergo a reorganization and eliminate your position. Nothing is promised.

If there is more to it than just the salary, enough to make it a really really good offer, then, maybe take it. But I'm talking about true opportunity for growth and advancement. If the two companies are comparable in that regard, I see no reason to leave Company "A." If you decide to stay, keep the fact that you were thinking of leaving to yourself. Hopefully all the friends you've discussed this with don't work for the company!

As far as how to quit, John Frick pretty much covered it.
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Hassan’s Answer

Sit down with your manager and tell them you received an offer that you can't refuse. Be prepared for at least two contingencies.

One, they may ask you to leave immediately. Especially if the other company competes with them in any way.

Two, they may ask what the offer is and look into matching it. This can be tricky, since your loyalty and dedication may be questioned anyway and could impact your future prospects. From what I read, the recommendation is to move on and not stay.
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William’s Answer

I would evaluate both of the companies to assess which job can provide you with the best experience to advance your career. The money will come with experience and hard work. Gaining knowledge and experience far outweighs 15K in salary. I recommend giving this new company at least a year of your time unless you feel the other company is a better opportunity to help you advance in your career. I was stuck with a similar situation. I was offered two jobs out of college. One was for 48K per year and the other was for 75K per year. I chose the 48K per year job.

The company offering a lower amount was a large company and had great mentors. The company offering more money was going to place me into a lead role. I did not feel comfortable coming directly out of college with this type of responsibility. I feel I made the right choice as I was given excellent training as to how a company works. I work in safety and I learned more in 3 months on the job than I did in my 5 years of schooling. There are many things that you will learn in the working world that is not taught in college.

Be sure to look at other factors other than the money! Easier said than done. But if you make the right choice now, you can set yourself up for the future.
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Meraf’s Answer

Hello Madeline,

First and foremost, congratulations on your new job offer! To answer your question, from my own experiences, I have sent out a well written email to my manager as well as followed up in person. The best way to approach a situation like this is by thanking your manager for the position as well as the time that he/she took to consider you for it. If you have learned anything of value from the week you have spent there, include that as well. Then segue into how you have now received a new position elsewhere and despite your appreciation for your current position and team, this new job is where you would like to continue your career. The most important things in this case are to remember to be grateful, respectful and explicit in your intentions so that there is no room for confusion. I am sure that they will understand, things like this happen more often than you may think.

Best of luck!
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Brandon’s Answer

It is important to be honest and straightforward with your answer. Do not beat around the bush, be direct with what you want to say. That being said, you do not want to come off as impolite because if a new employer asks questions regarding why did you leave the job after two weeks and if they try to contact that company you want your boss (or whoever is going to vouch for you) to leave a good word. Giving them a precaution with an email and then talking to them in person like Meraf suggested is the best way to go about it.
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