I am sure you have thought of many interesting ways to tell your employer that you are leaving - send a cake spelling it out in decorative icing, dancing through the office belting out "I want to break free" by Queen or simply just not turning up for work. You may never want to work for your current employer again, but remember, paths might cross with your manager or colleagues in a different company in the future. Making sure your exit is as professional as possible will ensure you retain your credibility – even if you cannot wait to leave!

Here are some tips on how to resign in style:

Tell your manager first

It is important to remember that although you are leaving life still goes on in your current company, therefore it is essential that you handle your departure as professionally and with as much consideration as possible. Do not let your colleagues know about your imminent resignation until you have chance to resign formally, your manager certainly will not be impressed if he or she finds out via the office gossip. Request a meeting with your manager to say that you are leaving, following up soon after with an official resignation letter.

During the meeting with your manager write a list of ongoing projects that you are working along with status updates and any suggestions you have for completion. Also use this meeting to clarify things such as your notice period and leaving date and how they would like you to inform your colleagues and external contacts. You may also want to request a personal reference form your employer at this point as you may want to use it when job hunting in the future.

The letter of resignation

• Keep it short and stick to the point. All resignation letters need to be addressed to the correct person, this may be your manager or the HR department. They should include the name of the position you are resigning from and the date that you will be leaving.
• Always speak positively. Reflect on the good times at the organisation and how you have benefited personally and professionally. It is always possible to find positives if you think long and hard.
• Do not use the letter as an opportunity to be negative. The resignation letter is not the place to comment on the less happy memories. Spelling out your Mangers or organisation’s failings should be avoided at all costs. In a few months or years you may regret what you said in the heat of the moment.
• Thank your employer. The chances are that you have learnt new skills and your CV looks more impressive than before you started working there - they have also paid your salary that has supported your lifestyle for however long!

Prepare for all outcomes

• People resign every day, so it is not something that your manager is unfamiliar with. In the most cases, a resignation is agreeably accepted and notice periods are often negotiable. However, it is always worth considering the following scenarios:
• Your resignation may be met with a counter offer (such as a pay rise, promotion or flexible working hours), would this convince you to stay? Think about why you are leaving, what opportunities are left for you at your current company and what possibilities you may have open to you elsewhere.
• Your boss may insist that you work out a longer notice period than you were expecting, which may conflict with your start date at your new job. Pre-empt this by checking your holiday entitlement prior to the meeting to see if you have any outstanding holidays that you could negotiate with.
• You may be asked to leave the premises immediately (especially if you are joining a competitor).

And finally...

Remember that resigning is not wrong. Stay positive, be polite, be professional, but be assertive too. Always aim to leave on good terms, but don't forget that it is your life and your career.

Good luck!