How to quit a job nicely?

[Cello]

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Hey all,

Long story short, I moved to Chicago last October and got a job at a web development firm in town. In addition to my salary and benefits, the company paid a 30% recruitment fee (I found that out later). I am only here until I start dental school in the fall. The company is not big (~15 employees) and they have been looking desperately to hire more backend web developers in my speciality, but right now there are far more jobs available than qualified applicants.

So, I have 2 questions:

1.) Do I give them significant warning that I am quitting even though they are already actively looking for programmers who do my job? I will risk creating a hostile work environment, but I feel that it would only be fair to give them significant notice (perhaps 2 months).

2.) Do I tell them the reason that I am leaving? My fiancée has found a job in Phoenix which pays significantly more, and I can simply tell them that we are moving for her work. That feels unethical because the real reason we are moving is for dental school, but I also feel that it would soften the blow of learning that a guy who knew he was going to dental school applied for a job he knew he would be leaving in less than a year.

I had no intention of taking on such a demanding or important job this year. I simply contacted a recruiting firm and they set me up with an interview at a Chicago web development firm. I managed to pass their proprietary programming exam and the boss was impressed so he hired me that day. For the last months I have felt really uneasy about having to quit and would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks!

 

[BluntForceTrauma]

Lie about reason I'm leaving, or not lie? Hmm. Seems pretty self-explanatory my friend.

As for the timing, I believe two weeks is the generally agreed upon time requirement for letting them know you're leaving.

With the reason in general, I don't think you even need to tell them why, just tell them you're quitting.

 

[Jake36]

I am currently in an extremely similar situation as you -- took job even though i knew i was going into dental school, my managers and coworkers dont know either

best thing to remember is that you're replaceable - the corporate world has so many slots that are always filled continuously and constantly, let them know that your passion doesn't lie in this field anymore and you're young and want to explore other options, leave it at that, they dont need to know you're going to dental school

 

[Cello]

Lie about reason I'm leaving, or not lie? Hmm. Seems pretty self-explanatory my friend.

As for the timing, I believe two weeks is the generally agreed upon time requirement for letting them know you're leaving.

With the reason in general, I don't think you even need to tell them why, just tell them you're quitting.

My fiancée did find a job in Phoenix. It would be omission of the fact that I am leaving the job to go to dental school in the event they ask me where I am going / why I am leaving.

I am currently in an extremely similar situation as you -- took job even though i knew i was going into dental school, my managers and coworkers dont know either

best thing to remember is that you're replaceable - the corporate world has so many slots that are always filled continuously and constantly, let them know that your passion doesn't lie in this field anymore and you're young and want to explore other options, leave it at that, they dont need to know you're going to dental school

Unfortunately this company is not corporate, which is why I feel worse than I would if it was. There are only 4 people who do my job and they have been trying to hire a 5th and possibly 6th since I started. The company only staffs 15 people in total.

 

[Jake36]

My fiancée did find a job in Phoenix. It would be omission of the fact that I am leaving the job to go to dental school in the event they ask me where I am going / why I am leaving.



Unfortunately this company is not corporate, which is why I feel worse than I would if it was. There are only 4 people who do my job and they have been trying to hire a 5th and possibly 6th since I started. The company only staffs 15 people in total.

If they can hire a 5th and 6th they can hire someone to replace you. I understand its only 15 people, but i believe letting them know you would like to explore other interests and that your passion doesn't lie in this its okay. I am only saying this cause I'm sure you built a more personal relationship with a smaller company, companies take risks when they hire people just like you will take risks if you ever hire people in the future, its part of the game

 

[Cello]

If they can hire a 5th and 6th they can hire someone to replace you. I understand its only 15 people, but i believe letting them know you would like to explore other interests and that your passion doesn't lie in this its okay. I am only saying this cause I'm sure you built a more personal relationship with a smaller company, companies take risks when they hire people just like you will take risks if you ever hire people in the future, its part of the game

I am saying that they have been trying to hire a 5th and a 6th but have so far been unable to find anyone qualified for the job.

 

[dyesht]

I don't see any reason to give them more than 2 weeks, which is a respectful amount of time. Anything more than that, and you risk the company treating you like crap until you leave, or finding a reason to fire you, whatever. Some companies sometimes get really bitter when employees leave and some don't so it depends on your place.

 

[clutchfans]

2 weeks is a reasonable amount of time. Finding people to fill your position and training them are your boss' job.

 

[ncide]

It all depends on the skill level of your job and how easy it is to replace you. For quick turn-over jobs, 2 weeks is fine. If you were a dentist, 6 months is the norm. In your situation, I would give them ample time to prepare for your departure. I think 6-8 weeks is fine.

 

[Justdontblink]

Give your boss at least an 8-week heads up, so he will have time to find your replacement. Offer to help train your replacement before you leave. As long as you make the effort to help the transition be as smooth as possible for the company, I don't see any reason why anyone would be upset with you for leaving, for any reason.

This ^

I am currently working with a pharmaceutical company in the NY area. I have been very transparent with them about my plans to attend dental school and they have been very supportive as a result. They actually let me do half days 2-3 weeks before I took my DAT. Once I was accepted into dental school I met with my supervisor and we figured out a time table focused around when I planed on leaving. My last day is in mid June so I have been training the person who will be taking over my position when I leave. I gave them a few months notice even though 2 weeks is the standard time table. I want to leave a good impression because you just never know who you'll see again later on in life.

 

[PreDentalStudy]

"The company is not big (~15 employees) and they have been looking desperately to hire more backend web developers in my speciality,"

what is your specialty?

Two weeks is fair. I have had to quit a job- and like another poster said, more than two weeks and the company might start looking for reasons to fire you. I was afraid of bitterness.