You’ve been working at your job for a while and you’re just not happy. Maybe you have bigger dreams beyond your current 9-to-5, and perhaps you can’t stop thinking about starting your own business. Rather than continue to punch into a job where you’re unhappy, it just might be time to take the leap into entrepreneurship. But how do you leave gracefully? Sales Executives present some strategies for quitting your job with tact.
Tell Your Boss First
You may have the inclination to leave without giving notice, but this would be unprofessional and will most likely burn bridges. If you have a good relationship with your boss, sit down with them and explain that you are leaving to start your own business. Make it clear that you’re grateful for the time you’ve had at the company, and offer to do whatever is necessary as you transition away from your job.
Provide a Resignation Letter
When leaving a job, it is always important to submit a formal resignation letter. This not only allows you to professionally and respectfully end your employment, but it also serves as an official record of your departure. According to Apollo Technical, your resignation letter should include the date of your last day of work, a brief explanation for your decision to leave, and gratitude for any opportunities or experiences gained during your time with the company. By submitting a resignation letter, you are ensuring that there are clear communication channels and a smooth transition for both yourself and the organization.
Two Weeks’ Notice Is Standard
Two weeks is the standard notice period and is plenty of time for your employer to find a replacement. Any less than two weeks may be considered rude and unprofessional. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. If you have been with the company for many years or if you are in a management position, your duration might be a bit longer than two weeks. Come to an agreement with your supervisor that suits both parties.
Don’t Slack Off
Just because you’re leaving doesn’t mean you should slack off during your final weeks at the company. Maintain your normal work schedule and be productive. You don’t want to leave on bad terms by doing the bare minimum or calling out sick all the time.
Make an Effort to Leave on Good Terms
You never know when you may need a reference from your current employer, so it’s important to leave on good terms. Thank them for the opportunity to work there and express that you enjoyed working for the company.
Start Your Own Business: LLC vs Sole Proprietorship
Now that you know how to quit your job gracefully, it’s time to focus on starting your own business! One of the first things you’ll want to do is formalize your business idea. You’ll also want to create a business plan that outlines your goals, target market, financing needs, marketing strategy and more.
The next choice will be deciding on the business structure that best suits your needs: sole proprietorship or limited liability company (LLC). While both have their pros and cons, we recommend choosing an LLC designation because it offers more protection for your personal assets in the event that something goes wrong with the business.
Brand and Promote Your New Business
If the word “branding” caused you to pause, then keep reading. Wordstream explains that your brand includes five things: oBjectives, appeaRance, vAlues, toNe, and iDentity. In other words, it encapsulates the important things about your business – what you value, what you do, and how things will look. If you don’t have a logo yet, start there as you want your logo on every promotional item you create.
Depending on the jobs you’ve had in the past, marketing and promotions may not be something with which you are familiar. It’s important that you start networking and promoting as soon as your business is up and running – or even a little before. Start by designing some free business cards using an online creator tool. You can choose from a variety of templates and modify them to create a customized design that reflects your business and branding.
Say Farewell with Dignity and Move On
As you can see, there’s really not much that goes into exiting your job on a high note. The hard part will be launching your business. Just remember to give notice, maintain professionalism, and say thanks! And when you’re ready to start your own business, be sure to choose an LLC designation for added protection.
As your business grows, you may come to need a sales department. When that happens, contact Sales Executives to build and grow your team!