Giving Notice

Something I've found a lot of people headed into the program struggle with is the idea of having to give notice at work. Weather you love your job or hate it, the idea of having to tell your boss you're leaving can be daunting. As long as you go about it in a professional manor you should be fine, but often times people react negatively to surprises. So how do you give notice?

• Notice should be given two weeks before your last intended day of work. Some people choose to give notice early, but know that there is a good chance you will not be kept on for as long as you might hope. Always be sure to give at least two weeks notice, however, to give your boss time to find a replacement.
• Ask to speak to your boss privately during a quiet time. While you are on the clock or during a rush is not the time to have this discussion. Come in early, stay late, or go in during your break,  and make sure you let them know you can work around their schedule to talk.
•  Have a letter of resignation. Even though you are already talking to your boss, you should also hand them a letter of resignation. This should say how sorry you are to be leaving the company, when your last day of work can be, and offer to help train a replacement if applicable.
• Be sure to let your boss know how sorry you are to be leaving and how much you will miss working there. Even if it isn't true, it's what you need to say. Let them know you are leaving because you've been presented with a once in a lifetime opportunity, not because of anything that happened at work. 
• Don't talk about why your leaving. Don't talk about what has pushed you to take this internship. You're leaving, and this conversation, weather you like your job or not, will just lead to back lash. You are moving on, there is no need to look back.
• Shut down any negative talk. If things start going south, let your boss know you're happy to have had this talk, you'll be happy to talk about it latter, but you have something you need to do. You do not have to take any grief over leaving, nor should you. But it's important that you don't get caught up in an argument with your boss before leaving.
• Don't burn bridges. All of these points lead to the same thing; never burn bridges. You never know when you're going to need a reference or help from an old boss or colleague. It's important to not cut anyone out of your life, no matter how upset you might be at them at the moment. 

Whatever happens, just know that you've got something great waiting on the other side. I gave my boss notice Monday, three and a half weeks before my last available day to work. This is a hard time of year to find nannies, and they're going to be on vacation for a week of what would be my two week notice, but I'm also completely ready to be done. I wont' be desperate for work if I'm let go early. I can't wait to see you all in Florida! Have a magical day!