How to properly resign from your current sales job

From providing notice to handing in your letter of resignation, here’s what you need to know.

If you have worked the same job for years or even months, it can be the end of a chapter. Which can make it a rather difficult situation to leave and more specifically to resign. However, sometimes it’s necessary; perhaps you require a higher salary, new opportunities, or reasonably a completely different career trajectory – this is completely okay. 

Nonetheless, this does not take away how challenging it may be to resign and walk away. Moreover, you may feel as if you are letting your current co-workers or boss down. This is why it’s important to resign properly, leave on good terms and ensure you receive top mark recommendations.

Switching jobs is part of life. Most people have a handful of jobs before retirement. Plus, transitioning between different places of work can be fun, beneficial, and super rewarding. This article will discuss how to properly resign from your current sales job regardless of the reason. So, let’s get to it.

Provide two weeks notice when you resign

To begin with, even if you have secured a new sales job (or a job within another industry), you should provide two weeks’ notice (at a minimum). Providing this notice is standard and polite. It allows your current workplace to adjust accordingly, whether they need to hire someone new or shift around schedules.

The same applies to your new job. Notice allows them to prepare for your arrival. This may include setting up virtual accounts, providing brand new office space, or splitting work duties.

So, always provide two weeks notice minimum when you resign. If your new job wants you to start immediately, mention how it’s important for you to provide this notice. This says a lot about you and is by far the best way to approach this situation. This speaks volumes and also says you’ll do the same should you choose to transition jobs again in the future. But hey, that may not be necessary!

Offer feedback on why you are leaving 

If you’ve worked the same sales job for years, your boss or co-workers may be confused why you’re leaving. Therefore, it’s crucial that you offer feedback, ensuring this is honest and from the heart.

Providing feedback lets your current place of work know what they can improve on in the future. Whether this is salary, workload, or little opportunity to climb the corporate sales ladder. On the other hand, you may be leaving for an entirely different reason, whether relocating or else wise.

Nonetheless, you should offer feedback or at the very least, clear the air regarding why you are leaving. This is respectful and customary when going and searching for a new job. If you haven’t yet found a new job, then your current boss or management team may try to convince you to stay; this may also perhaps work well for you.

Resign by email or hand-deliver your resignation 

One of the main things you’ll need to do when reassigning from your current sales job or is writing up a letter of resignation and either emailing or hand-delivering this. This task should take top priority, the sooner you hand it in, the quicker you can move to your new job, and that’s an exciting time!

Traditionally, employees would hand-deliver their letters of resignation, also customary and a sign of respect, as recommended by Robert Walters. However, more so in the current technological age, and not to mention the climate that is Covid-19, emailing your resignation with a cover letter will suffice as well.

Alternatively, you can schedule a meeting/exit interview with your boss or management team (or choose to include this as a memo in the email with your resignation letter – the choice is yours). Generally, however, emailing your letter of resignation is the customary way to resign, so don’t feel the need to go to the extra effort, especially if this makes you feel uncomfortable or worsens the situation for yourself. Besides, there’s a chance that you may be invited to speak anyways, whether on the phone or in person, both to thank you for your work and to ask why you are leaving.

Make the transition process easy

The transition to your new sales job may be difficult for your current team. Therefore, you should strive to make the transition process easy. There are numerous ways you can do this, whether providing access to certain files, speaking with existing clients beforehand to keep them in the loop, or having a chat with those who will be affected early.

Making the transition process ensures you leave on good terms, remaining friends with some employees and co-workers. Besides, it’s a nice thing to do, too, allowing you to establish trust, respect, and credibility in your line of work, and that goes a long way.

To conclude 

Finding a new job and reassigning from your current role is an exciting opportunity, however, it can also be nerve-wracking and a little confusing. It’s essential to respect your current employer by providing notice and reassigning the proper way, leaving on good terms, and not closing the doors for good.

So, in summary, there are several things you should do to properly resign from your current sales job, making the transition period as straightforward and hassle-free as possible. These include:

• Provide two weeks notice
• Offer feedback on why you are leaving
• Email or hand-deliver your resignation 
• Make the transition process easy 

At the very least, you should provide two weeks’ notice with this stated on your letter of resignation, with this either sent via email or delivered in-person to your boss or management team. Remember: although the process may take longer than leaving immediately, you will keep connections, maintain friendships, and all in all, help both parties out, so it’s well worth sticking around and doing things the right way.

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