Change is scary. In fact, one of the reasons people stay in a job they don’t like is the fear of change. Questions lurk in the back of our minds. What if I don’t get along with my new co-workers? What if I can’t perform as well in this new role? Can I manage a huge learning curve at my age? One additional fear may simply be the uncertainty about how to properly and professionally resign your current job.
Companies typically do not train their employees on the right way to quit. As a result, there is very little consistency beyond giving the traditional “2 week notice” in the workplace. But if you want to manage your career in a way to maximize your future opportunities, maintain great relationships within your profession, and not burn bridges, it is very important that you leave your job in the right way.
I have been in pharmacy management for many years and have had to “give notice” on multiple occasions in my career. The following advice is based on the best material I have read on the subject, as well as my personal experience, advice and observation of pharmacists who have left jobs to take a new position with a different employer.
My first advice to pharmacists about quitting their job is simply this: don’t quit yet. What I mean is that you should always give your current employer the opportunity to help you achieve what you are looking for in your career. If you have been a strong contributor in your present position, many employers will try to accommodate your interests. Don’t assume you need to leave your company to gain new experiences. Be honest and open with your boss about your ambitions.
My second piece of advice about quitting is that, generally speaking, you want to have another job lined up already. The fact is that, while it is a lot of work, finding a job while you have a job is typically easier. The job market for pharmacists is not what it was 20 years ago. You will want to be sure you have a job offer, and have accepted it, prior to leaving your role.
Third, when it comes time to inform your company that you are leaving, start with your immediate supervisor and make it as personal as possible. Don’t shoot them a text and tell them you are quitting. Ask to meet them in person if you can. However, depending on the type of pharmacy job you have, a personal meeting may be impossible to accomplish. In that case, a phone call is usually the next best thing. Be sure to tell your boss how much you have appreciated working for them (now is not the time to unload) but that you have accepted a new job with a new company. I recommend following up with a brief, formal letter that specifies your last day. Remember that this will probably go in your file.
As for notifying the rest of your team, co-workers and other individuals that need to know, I simply recommend you do it quickly and to let as many know at once as possible. Be very positive in all communications about your transition. Be professional.
Fourth, give a reasonable amount of time for transition. Typically a 2-week notice is a minimum for most jobs, it may be prudent to try and give 3 weeks’ notice, or more, if your role is going to be particularly difficult to replace. Whatever you can do to help create a smooth transition will be much appreciated by most employers. Can you recommend another pharmacist to backfill your spot? These efforts help create professional respect.
Fifth, and finally, be prepared for a counter offer…and turn it down. I fully agree with J.T. O’Donnell, CEO of Careerealism, who said in an article on quitting your job “When you make the decision to quit, don’t waiver. Show good character by following through on your decisions and proving you aren’t just about the money.” Statistically most people who accept counter offers end up leaving in a short while anyway. It is a rare situation where the counter offer creates a better situation for either the employer or employee.
Dwight L. Moody once said “If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of me.” Quitting is about character. It will often reveal the type of person you really are. Leaving a job is never easy. And leaving in the right way so as to promote the best interests of your career and your prior employer can be even harder. But by following these tips you will be on your way to making a successful transition while maintaining a great reputations and good relationships with everyone involved.
Technology has innovated every sector on the market, and its contributions toward the Healthcare sector can’t be underestimated. We’ve listed..
The most important part of a company's hiring process is the face to face interview. Once the company has shortlisted..
As nurses we go to work and do our best to take care of our patients, provide treatment and care..
This tip may come to a shock to some job seekers, but others who have made this mistake will understand...
If you're in the middle of a job search, it can feel like you're applying to a million jobs and..
When it comes to social media, it can be hard to see and know where the line between professional and..
There are about a million - not a hyperbole at all - articles on the internet about how to prepare..
As registered nurses we have a duty and responsibility to provide the best possible safe care to our patients and..
Applying to jobs can be a tedious activity. Sometimes the application process can involve just uploading your resume, but sometimes..
Julius Caesar once said “No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected.” I think that’s..
William Shakespeare once wrote “We know what we are, but not what we may be.” This is especially true when..
If you haven't realized yet, a lot of the tips that I post about I get from when I'm endlessly..
It's the week of Super Bowl LIII and the week of Tom Brady's ninth career Super Bowl appearance. Whether you're..
You're taught at a young age that no question is a stupid question. But as you get older, sometimes you..
I was running through resumes today that candidates had emailed us and I couldn't help but ask myself why people..
Working with a recruiter and working with a contract role can seem like the opposite of what you want to..
If you’re coming into the job search unexpectedly, or after a few years, you probably haven't even thought about your..
Someone once said “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” This may be..
I follow a recruiter named Adam Karpiak on LinkedIn and Twitter, and he is constantly posting the real truths about..
'Tis the Season to be jolly, and also find a new job! Being unemployed or in a job that doesn't..
Peter Drucker, the guru of modern management, once said that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” This is a factor that..
If you haven’t read our first post in our Job Search Preparation series you can read that . We talked..
It may seem like a small thing, and to some recruiters and hiring managers it won’t matter too much, but..
Dear Jason, It has been just over 3 months since I lost my job due to a pharmacy closing. They..
Something that a lot of people, recruiters especially, forget is that everyone is not taught the same resume format. Recruiters..
If you're working with our staffing agency or another, building a relationship with your recruiter is going to be a..
One of the best things happening in the pharmacy industry is that more and more states are providing Pharmacy Technician..
Whether you’re unemployed, graduating, or just looking for a new job, starting a job search can be daunting, some may..
I believe it was Leo Tolstoy who said “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing..
You've heard it once and you're never going to stop hearing it; check your spelling and grammar on your resume...
Next to being unemployed, being stuck in a job you don’t love is one of the worst professional experiences for..
Emails are the text message of the business world. They can be quicker than phone calls, they aren't disrupted by..
One of the hardest parts about searching for a new job can be deciphering what companies really want from their..
You got the job! Congratulations! You are excited. You are relieved. You are nervous. Maybe you have gotten promoted to..
I was scrolling through LinkedIn this morning and came across a video posted by Business Insider on . The video..
Send your resume as a PDF or Microsoft Word Document With almost any job application you can guarantee that some..
Your boss is bad. Maybe she only calls you to tell you that you are behind on your flu shots...
Email Etiquette: match the tone of who you received the original email from Sending an email seems like such a..
Always Say Thank you, and then some! I read a yesterday, outlining why you should always go the extra mile..
Keep your resume up to date, even if you aren't looking for a new position. If you're not looking for..
If there is one piece of advice that any billionaire will give you it'll probably be something along the lines..
Check To make sure your references are up to date Whenever you start a new job hunt, contact each of..
Be mindful of how you end a phone call, cold callers are people too! I know that a cold call..
Your resume should be in chronological order with your most recent position at the top When a recruiter opens your..
Leave your full name and contact information when leaving a voicemail In today's caller-id world this is probably overthought by..
We've all been there before, you spend hours and hours perfecting your resume, only to apply to a position and..
Include the months you started and ended a job, not just the years, on your resume To a lot of..
Ditch the email address from high school. I've never actually heard of anyone not getting a job because their email..
Make sure to include job descriptions and duties on all positions on your resume. You would think this goes without..
Make sure your voicemailbox is set up and empty. Something that is often overlooked during the job search is the..
When you work with a staffing agency, you will most likely have your own recruiter who acts as your manager...
A couple of weeks ago, I read an article about and it inspired me to do a little more digging..
You've prepared for the interview, you figured out what you need to bring and what should stay at home, now..
Staying organized is the name of the game if you’re trying to balance a career, a social life, and everything..
Now that you've fully prepared for your interview, and if you haven't check out our first blog post in the..
This week's Tip Thursday is all about the inteview! We're breaking it up into three parts so stay tuned next..
Someone once said that “innovation is taking two things that already exist and putting them together in a new way.”..
The best part of my day is lunch time, not because I don't love my job, but because I get..
July is UV Safety Month! Do you know how to protect yourself from harmful UV rays during long summer days?..
You've probably been told over and over again that you need to live a happy life and in order to..
I believe that manners matter. And while common courtesy may not be so common anymore, it is still important to..
The first thing a hiring manager or recruiter ever sees about you is your resume. You need to make it..
You have probably never visited Madawaska, Maine. It is a tiny, rural town at one of the most northern peaks..
This week Diana, our Recruiting Manager, and Adrianna, our Business Development Manager, will be heading to Denver, Colorado for the..
Are you a PTCB certified Pharmacy Technician? Do you have sterile compounding experience? Do you want to show your employers..
While there are many strategies and tools available to help pharmacists and pharmacy technicians find great jobs, maybe none is..
Create a Good Professional Summary Tweak your resume to customize it for each job you apply for. If you’re applying..