Giving Your Notice 2

[RichGeoffroy]

We’ve all had dreams of telling our boss what he can do with our job, and going out and starting our own engineering practice.

For those of you who are actually considering “taking the leap”, this is definitely NOT the way to do it. No matter how frustrated you may get with your job, going out on your own takes considerable planning --- not only to get your financial situation in order, but you have to plan your timing for entry, and get a lot of other things in order that you basically take for granted. And, don’t forget, your family has to be involved in this decision. When business gets slow, it’s hard enough as it is, you don’t need them nagging at you as to why you put them into this situation. They have to be behind you. You’ll need their support during the tough times --- and you will experience them. It isn’t all roses out here.

Once you “make your decision” to go on your own, the problems at the office seem to take on a whole new perspective. I found that it took me two years after I made the decision before I got everything in order for my departure, but life was so much easier at work --- the garbage was still there, but my perception had changed. Now, I viewed them as “funding” my planning period. The more you get in order before you give your notice, the better position you’ll be in when you finally start your business.

Don’t burn any bridges! As much as you’d like to tell off your boss, a colleague, or the owner’s son, DON’T do it! People know you for your past accomplishments, and the most recent work you’ve done, and probably the best so far in your career, has been for your current employer. Many of your contacts will come from this job, and potentially some of your clients may come as referrals from your current company or its employees. In fact, if you’re as good as you think, they may not find anyone to really do what you’ve done for them, and they will contract with you for certain tasks.

Your present employer can be a strong asset to your success. Their network is more established and widespread than yours. Your current colleagues will remain sources of information, as well as opportunities for referrals. A larger company will have expensive equipment that you may need access to in order for you to complete your assignment for a client. In fact, you may even turn out to be a good source of sales for them --- a real Win-Win arrangement for both of you.




Rich Geoffroy
Polymer Services Group
POLYSERV@aol.com

 

[RDK]

It is common in consulting that one’s first client is one’s former employer.

In my case my first client was my former employer’s client. This was done with the former employers agreement since it was services that the employer did not and could not offer to the client.






Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion

http://www.kitsonengineering.com

 

[FreeRangeMonkey]

I gave notice yesterday. As much as I wanted to let him have a piece of my mind about certain things, I took the high road. There is a website that has form resignation letters that are pretty good:

http://www.i-resign.com/uk/letters/default.asp

Here is the letter I wrote...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Boss:
It is with regret that I must resign my position at this time. I hereby give you two weeks notice of my intention to leave my position as [job title] at [the company].

I have decided that it is time for me to move on and have accepted a position elsewhere. This was not an easy decision and took a lot of consideration. However, I am confident that my new role will help me to move towards some of the goals that I have for my career.
Please be assured that I will do all that I can to assist in the smooth transfer of my responsibilities before leaving.

I wish both you and everyone else at [the company] every good fortune and I would like to thank you for having me as part of your team and making me a part of your family for the last three years.

Sincerely,
Me