Resigning from a job is awkward at best and can get downright ugly in some instances. Whether you are leaving for money, career advancement or personality differences - offering a timely, polite, professional resignation is always the best course of action.
If you’ve determined that you are ready for a career change it may seem like a good idea to pour all your resources into the job search and quit your job to free up time. However, when possible, it is best to wait until after you have secured another job for resigning from your current job. This may sound obvious, and is not always possible for various reasons, but any gap in your employment could be a potential red flag for future employers. In addition, even if it looks like you have a secured a job, but it’s not 100% certain, do not resign until there is an offer and acceptance with no other conditions. We have seen jobs fall through at the very end from issues stemming from background checks to the changing needs of the future employer.
You have gone through the long process of applying for jobs, interviewing, perhaps facing rejection multiple times along the way, and finally have landed that coveted job. Now you are faced with the inevitable task of telling your current employer that you are leaving. There is no “right” way to give notice because it will often depend on the circumstances. If you have a close, personal relationship with your boss then an in-person meeting is probably the best way to break the news. In such a situation, it is also advisable to provide a written resignation letter for your employment file. If you have a poor relationship with your boss and cannot stomach the idea of confronting that person directly then simply providing a letter of resignation (whether in person, US mail or email attachment) is probably the best route to avoid any heated personal encounters.
Even in situations where animosity is almost unavoidable (e.g., taking business from your firm to a competitor), you should act with civility and professionalism. Not only will it help down the road if you encounter that employer (most legal markets are surprisingly small), but it also can work to your advantage if you still need something from your former employer, including client files or personal items. Just remember, you may get some brief satisfaction by unloading on your boss as you resign, but in the long run burning those bridges may come back to haunt you.