Congratulations!! You have accepted your dream job in wealth management, and you can’t wait to start! There’s just that one small thing that’s keeping you awake at night – how to resign? Is this stressing you out a bit? Is this weighing on your mind? Sleepless nights are a real thing when resigning, it’s a big change in your life! There is so much to consider…
Are you wondering how your manager will take it? What do you say? There is a lot of help that a great recruitment consultant can give you, from listening to how you feel, to helping you with your resignation letter, to talking through the conversation you may have with your manager. However, in the meantime, here are some pointers to think about…
Make sure you know your notice period and any holiday that you have not used. You will then be able to calculate your end date. The company will either pay you for your unused and accrued holiday, or you can use this to leave earlier – you might not get a choice of which, but knowing the information before you resign, empowers you in the conversation about your leave date.
Check your contract again, so that you are very aware of any restricted covenants. For any Financial Planners, there will be one in there. It can be 6 months, it can be 12 months, make sure you know and are aware of especially what restrictions are in place. You won’t want to put a foot wrong with these – wealth management companies take these seriously and will come after you if cross the line in this area.
Another important thing to check in your contract, is your bonus eligibility – if you resign too soon, you may miss out on payment! You have worked hard for this bonus, so make sure you are eligible for this. If it’s a long way off, remember you are moving to a new role with better career and earning opportunities!
Start by writing a formal resignation letter/email. Keep it concise, professional, and positive. Express gratitude for the opportunities and experiences you’ve had at the company and your intention to resign. State your last working day.
Post emailing your resignation, speak with your immediate supervisor or manager in person to inform them of your decision. Do this before sharing your resignation with colleagues. Be prepared for this conversation, and remain calm and professional.
Be clear but diplomatic about your reasons for leaving. You don’t need to provide extensive details, but you should communicate your decision is based on personal or career growth reasons, not dissatisfaction or problems with the company or colleagues.
Let your employer know that you are willing to help with a smooth transition. You might suggest a period during which you can assist in handing off your responsibilities, training a replacement, or documenting your work processes. You will need to agree with your manager how to communicate to your clients that you are leaving. If you are great at financial advice, then your clients will react strongly to this. Your manager will be very aware of this and have a strong opinion too.
Even if you have had challenges or disagreements during your tenure, stay positive and professional during your notice period. Avoid engaging in gossip, complaining, or burning bridges.
Don’t share confidential or sensitive information about your company, colleagues, or projects after resigning. Keep any grievances or concerns private. Remember, the company may well check to see if you have accessed client information prior to leaving.
Make an effort to complete any pending assignments or projects and leave detailed documentation for your successor or colleagues. If possible, meet with them and provide guidance on your projects and responsibilities. Be helpful and willing to answer questions.
Express your appreciation to your coworkers and colleagues for the time you’ve worked together. Send thank-you notes or emails as appropriate. It’s always beneficial to leave on a great note!
Your manager may become emotional – in either direction, so think about how you will handle different reactions. You could be placed on immediate gardening leave, especially if you are moving to a competitor, or alternatively made to work your full notice period.
A counter offer may be suggested. Whilst this may seem inviting, especially if you are nervous about a move, be very wary of accepting a counter offer; this very rarely produces a successful long-term outcome. Help with this decision can be found in our blog “Accepting Counter Offers: The True Cost of a Job in Financial Services”
Be mindful of what you post on social media, as your current and future employers may see your updates. Avoid sharing negative comments about your current or former company.
Fulfil any final company requirements, such as returning laptops, paperwork, or other company property, and participate in exit interviews if required.
Keep in touch with colleagues and supervisors who can serve as professional references – good recommendations are vital. Maintaining positive connections can be beneficial for your career. Remember, it’s a small world and financial services is a bit like a village! You never know, you may run into your manager again later in your career!
Remember, resigning from a job is a common part of professional life, and employers generally understand that people move on for various reasons. By resigning gracefully, you demonstrate professionalism and maturity, which can leave the door open for future opportunities and ensure a positive reference from your current employer.
You can find some useful sample letters on the Indeed website:
6 types of resignation letter templates | Indeed.com UK
The Truestar team are the perfect people to help you with your recruitment queries and can walk you through the process from role selection, interviews to resignation and beyond. We are with you every step of the way.
Be clear but diplomatic about your reasons for leaving. You don’t need to provide extensive details, but you should communicate your decision is based on personal or career growth reasons, not dissatisfaction or problems with the company or colleagues.
Your manager may become emotional – in either direction, so think about how you will handle different reactions. You could be placed on immediate gardening leave, especially if you are moving to a competitor, or alternatively made to work your full notice period.
Resigning from a job is a common part of professional life. Demonstrating professionalism and maturity in how you resign can leave the door open for future opportunities and encourage a positive reference from your current employer.
