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Ask HN: Resigning from a Position

4 points by eaglehead ↗ HN
I am planning on resigning from my position next week and have been planning my conversation with my VP (I report directly to her)

I am feeling burnt out for past month or so. Took 2 weeks off earlier this year hoping it will reset it for me but didn’t help. So now I am planning to take a break from professional life and find my rhythm again.

I am also a very private person, don’t like sharing my personal life with coworkers so I don’t want to go into detail with my VP on why I am quitting.

Any tips on how to break ice on this conversation?

9 comments

[ 3.2 ms ] story [ 39.9 ms ] thread
orbz
This will all depend on your working relationship with your VP but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with citing burnout as a reason. It’s hard to argue against that, you’ll hopefully not burn your bridges so have the option to come back one day and lastly you’re giving them constructive feedback. Burnout is not due to the individual, but is instead the environment they work in.

Don’t ever feel like this is a you problem, it’s not.

supriyo-biswas
This may backfire if the VP suddenly gets, let's just say, "emotional" about the entire matter and then tried to be vindictive by providing a poor employment reference.
throwawaysalome
In these litigious times, companies can only confirm an ex-employee's hire and departure dates, not comment on his performance or if he was fired.
CraigRo
The standard way to do this is to say I'm resigning as if such as such a day, and optionally that you are not joining a competitor

But from personal experience, this is a bad long term idea- much harder to get hired when you are unemployed, and no reason to offer to pay up to get you to leave. This will cost you in the long run

eaglehead
Is there a reason why this is a bad long term idea? I mean I am giving them fair 2 week notice, offering to help with knowledge transfer and certainly not trying to negotiate more money or anything from them.
nikau
People are more desirable when they are already taken.
curiousObject
> I am also a very private person, don’t like sharing my personal life with coworkers

You can simply lie. Invent a family or health issue which is difficult for them to check. This method of solving problems isn’t good but if you have no other way to explain, it could make it easier for you this time

If possible though, just be honest

yuppie_scum
There’s no need to lie. There’s no need to say anything.
eaglehead
Honestly, this came to my mind as well. I don't want to lie for many reason but simply I just hate keeping track of lies. Something I regret from my younger years in the college.