Resigning a job is always a difficult choice you must make. Sometimes, you do not find a job interesting. Sometimes, the job stresses you out so much that you cannot keep going. Sometimes, you get a better job offer or decide to pursue higher studies. These are some reasons why someone decides to quit a job. Now, quitting a normal job after working a while is easy. You file for your resignation, there is a notice period, and after it ends, you quit the job. But things are different when it comes to quitting a job when you have just started it. This article will see why it is different to quit during a training period than quit a normal job after a few years and how to resign from a job during the training period?
Why is it uncommon and different to quit a job during a training period?
It is not an easy task to quit a job. Usually, you must provide a notice period before you quit, preferably 2 weeks or more, so the company can accommodate your resignation. But while you have just started your job or are still in training, things can be different. When you are still in training, quitting a job will make your resignation almost immediate, without any notice period. While this is the ideal result you are looking for, there might be some serious consequences.
- It might damage your reputation. While it is not a bad thing to quit a job, resigning one when you have just started it might damage your reputation as an employer. When you move companies, a common question that an interviewer asks will be the reasons you quit your previous job. Even if the reason is a legitimate one, the fact that you quit your job at the beginning does not look good and might be a reason for the rejection in some companies that you might apply for a new job for.
- You might get blacklisted. Resigning a job so early can lead to a black mark against your name. This means it will be difficult or even impossible for you to get a job again in the future at the same company, or any other partner company of the one you resigned. This leaves you with fewer options. Since companies invest money and time in the hiring process, this makes them have the right to blacklist an employee.
- Some companies have a bond. A bond is nothing but a training agreement with every new employee a company recruit. Some companies have a training period for a few months and can continue up to as much as 21 months. The agreement essentially states that if an employer decides to quit before the training period ends, he or she must compensate in terms of money.
This is often used by companies to prevent newly recruited employers to not quit and be dedicated to a job. All employers agree to the bond and if failing to do so, the company has the right to demand compensation money from the employer. If you have decided to quit, you must pay the agreed compensation to resign.
You might also be financially burdened because if you do not have another job in hand, you will lose your salary and source of income. If all the above things are manageable for you, and if you have no other choice but to resign, here is how you can resign from a job during the training period.
How to resign during the training period?
The process is the same as every other job resignation. First, you must write a resignation letter, citing the reasons, and submit it. But there are few things that you must take into consideration.
- Make the letter sound professional. The letter you draft should be more professional and less personal. It is okay to state the reason why you want to quit, but too much detail about it is advised to be avoided. The letter must also sound positive, and that it was your own decision to do so if the reason for your resignation is other than workplace harassment.
- Do it personally. A good resignation doesn’t stop only after drafting a good letter. You must show respect and work ethics by submitting the letter in person to your superior officer. This not only shows that the resignation is genuine but also increases your reputation as an employer.
- Think twice. It is always better to think twice before making a decision. Think of all the consequences that you might face, financially, and mentally. You might be without a job for a few days, or even months if you are not looking for jobs seriously, and you might lose your only source of income. Hence, think twice before planning for resignation.
- Offer a considerable notice period. Once you have decided that you are going to resign, make sure that you provide an adequate notice period to the company. This can be anything between two weeks to a month. Quitting immediately might damage your reputation and can result in a blacklist as discussed earlier, hence it is better to provide a notice period before quitting.
- Focus and move on. It is natural to be filled with guilt after resigning from a job you just started, but it doesn’t help you at all. Learn from this experience. If this job was the reason you quit, then try looking for other jobs. If working in a scheduled, and 9-5 job is the reason for your resignation, then it is advised to not look for any jobs or join one for a while. Use this time to think about where your interest lies. You can either not go for jobs, and study further, take a break for a while, or try other jobs that suit your interest.
There is no “perfect” time to quit a job. Hence, if lack of interest is a reason why you decide to quit, it is better to stay in the job for a while and go past the training agreement or contract. The consequences will be less if you quit a job after working in it for some time.
If you have submitted your resignation letter, and have given a notice period, make sure you do the job wholeheartedly even after the resignation letter. It is easy to lose interest and work hard for a job you are going to quit. Reflect on the reason, learn from the experience, and move on to a better job and a life.
