Resign right?

[EgonSpengler]

Hi,
Wanted to get some advice from some more experienced and smarter people than me. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. I am going to give a little back story first to put my situation in better context.

Here is my situation…

After getting my BS in Computer Engineering I went to work for an Electric Utility/Cable/ISP/Telephone company (They did fiber to the home) right out of college. Worked there for 5 years and went back to school to get my masters. During my last semester of my masters some people I previously worked with offered me a job. I took it but did not like it because there was too much travel. I called up another guy I used to work with and pitched him an idea of adding to his software. He was all for it and hired me on. When I resigned my traveling job my boss and everyone I worked with threw a fit and thought the other guy was trying to steal me (not the case at all). Anyway it all worked out in the end and I have been working for this guy for a year now.

After about six months into my current job I realized the best job that I should have taken was at another local Electric Utility that I worked for as a summer intern while getting my Master’s Degree. They said I could work for them full time when I was done with school but I ended up taking the traveling job instead (it just paid so damn much). Anyway the General Manger at this utility ended up calling me up one day out of the blue and asked me to come work for him (this was after I already told myself that’s where I should have worked, so I was very happy). I said I did not want to leave my current boss hanging on the project I was on but maybe at the end of the year 2011 we could work something out. He agreed but asked if I would help as a consultant (I am a registered P.E. so I felt comfortable doing that) until the end of the year. They are getting ready to put in some Fiber and networking equipment and wanted my experience.

So now it’s the end of the year, I have talked with the GM of the new company and the Fiber project will basically start the first of the summer so he is looking for me to start sometime before then. My question is how should I go about telling my current boss I am leaving? I am 100% certain this new job is the right fit for me (The people, the work, the work load, longevity, etc). I guess I am a little gun shy because of how badly resigning from my traveling job went. Also the project I am working on for my current employer is not complete. In reality I probably bit of more than I can chew with my current job. Plus the fact that all my employers are basically in the same industry (some customers others suppliers) and I might cross paths with my current boss and previous bosses again.

My plan is to tell my current boss that we should redo how we are working on the project to pull in more people. I have a meeting with my prospective future boss tomorrow to discuss a timeframe of when I can start. Then maybe in a week or 2 give my current boss my resignation but say I can stay on for another 2-3 months. I am not going to tell my current boss what company I am going to in order to avoid some of the problems I had last time I resigned. I am also going to offer that I will help out with any questions that someone taking over for me might have in the future (Via email/phone).

I figure he will ask why I am leaving. I was thinking that I would tell him the new opportunity is a great opportunity for me and my family both financially and stability wise (which is true, I plan on retiring from this future job). I was also thinking about telling him I feel like I am in over my head in what I am doing anyway and think it is better for both of us if someone with more experience stepped in and took over anyway (which is also true). BTW my current job is building a billing system for utilities. They currently bill cable, TV, internet with a separate system built on COBAL and want to move away from that to a more modern platform (which is where I came into the picture).

Anyway sorry for the life story but any advice would be greatly appreciated. I put myself in this situation and feel extremely thankful that I can get out of it and land a great job. I just want to make sure I do it in the best possible way and not burn any bridges in the process.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

I see no issues with your plan. Give your current boss plenty of head's up time to find another/more employees, leave without burning bridges whenever possible. Don't worry about the former job and cronies, it's irrelevant to your future.

One thing I'll warn you against is thinking you'll retire from this next job. Things rarely work out that way, particularly in today's job market and no matter how stable you think the position is or how invaluable you might be.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[MiketheEngineer]

MAC and you have it covered pretty well. Most people - if they are polite - give a company two weeks notice and are gone. Some companies give you two weeks notice - if they are polite.

Some hire security guards - pack up your junk - take your keys - kill your passwords - and throw you out the door within about 30 minutes of your "notice"

As noted - NEVER burn bridges - only God knows what may happen in the future - but it is your life and your career. It is up to you to make the best of both.

 

[EgonSpengler]

Thanks for the advice guys. Like I said before I am gun shy from the bad experience I had quitting last time. They were completely unprofessional and were really mad that I was leaving (They tried to stop me from getting hired at my current job). I am somewhat afraid of that again but more so worried that I will be hurting my current boss. Its a really small company of only 5 people. That's why I wanted to do everything I can (like give a couple months instead of 2 weeks). Plus I am leading a pretty large programming project and don't want to leave them stuck.

I know the new job is a better fit for me and is the right move. I just want to go about the move in the best possible way. Like Mac said even though I don't plan on ever leaving the new job stuff happens and I might. That's even more reason to not burn my bridges.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

If it makes you feel any better, I was heading up a rather complex software project and my lead programmer called and said he was giving his 2 weeks notice. He was well paid, got overtime and good benefits, well respected and he up and quit. He did work his last two weeks. Took me another two MONTHS to get somebody up to speed on the project..... Basically, had to start over - almost.

So - don't be sad - Do what is best for you. The company will surely do what is best for them....

 

[Ron]

EgonSpengler...don't take this the wrong way, but you talk too much! I realize you want to do what's right by your current boss, but you don't have to go into as much detail as you are planning....I suspect that's why your last resignation didn't go well...TMI all around.

Also, I don't think you should create a plan surrepticiously to increase current staff knowing that you'll be leaving. I agree that you should tell your boss, offer to stay for a finite length of time, suggest that he gear up for that and that you'll help him....but I don't think you should start that process with him out of the loop.

Good luck.

 

[weab]

I agree with Ron. You had a bad experience, but that shouldn't happen and usually doesn't. Yes, don't say too much. Thank them for your experience, but say that you had to make this change for your own development and for your family. Be honest - this new job is a good fit for you and an opportunity.

People leave jobs all the time. It's not that big of a deal. Definitely get any personal files off your computer before giving notice and remove your personal effects. Some companies do like an immediate clean break.

For what it's worth, if this new job ends up something different than what you thought, your resume for the next opportunity may show a guy who can't stick with what he starts. Eventually, you will need to stay with a job for some amount of time or else you might not be able to get a job if the job market gets tight.

I hope this all works out for you.

 

[MikeHalloran]

You don't need to tell a current employer why you're leaving a job, or what you're going to do next. In fact, there are some serious downsides to doing so; having them try to spoil the new job for you is just one of them.

<template for resignation>
<date>
I, <your_name>, hereby resign as <your_title>, effective <date>.
<signature(optional)>
</template>

That's it; fill it in and send it. DO NOT add anything.
Your current employer is not your friend. Do not supply ammunition that could make them a stronger enemy.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[SomptingGuy]

A job is not like a marriage. There are no kids involved and no splitting of the proceeds.

My only emotional ties to my job are to the products I've created or helped to create. But they're not mine, I was paid after all.

- Steve

 

[EgonSpengler]

Haha Ron I literally LOL'ed at your post Your right, not sure I really talk to much... Maybe just think to much.

Weab I totally agree on not job hopping to much either. I would give the same advice to someone else in my shoes on don't move around to much. Actually I would probably stay with this job longer if I did not already know the people and the place very well.

Anyway got the firm offer today and my new boss said "You can start tomorrow or 2 months from now, just let me know".

I am just going to tell him that I got an offer that's a better fit for me, work, career, future goals, etc and leave it at that. If he asks where I am going or anything else I will politely say that I had a bad experience in the past with telling that information and would rather not say. Then offer to stay for up to 8 more weeks. Finally email/snail male him (after I talk to him) a resignation that says nothing other than I will be resigning my position on <date>.

Thanks again, Ill post up here how it all turns out in hopes that it will help someone else one day going through a similar problem.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Personally, I would hand him the resignation letter after letting him know... snail mail is too impersonal for someone you consider a good boss and wouldn't mind keeping a bridge up. The letter confirms what you were just discussing, so there's no confusion.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[PhilBW]

I will politely say that I had a bad experience in the past with telling that information and would rather not say.

If you say this, you are basically telling your current boss you are afraid he is going to be a jerk because you gave notice. That may not go over well. Just tell him you would rather not say who your new employer is just yet. As others have told you, it is better not to say too much.

 

[brandonbw]

Can't you just give 2 weeks notice and that's that? I would do it in person though as a letter seems like you are scared. And there is no reason to be scared to switch jobs.

I have never been asked where I was going. They may ask why, but that depends on you.

B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil and Structural Engineering

http://bwengr.com

 

[thruthefence]

This is a "bad experience"?

Apparently the OP is a sharp guy with a current job, and other potential employers ready to put him to work.

I guess "bad is a bit subjective.

To the OP, Give notice, thank your current boss for his help, and move on. It's your life.

I would add, be careful of that "100% certain" feeling. You'll just end up beating yourself up in the future if it doesn't pan out.