How to Quit Your Tech Sales Job Like a True Professional
Quitting can be nerve-wracking, stressful, or exhilarating, depending on the circumstances.
If you’ve spent more than a few years with a boss you admire, the experience of resigning can be downright dreadful.
No matter what the circumstances are when it’s time to resign, there’s no turning back. It’s best to put one foot in front of the other, focus on the future, and quit like the sales pro you are.
Leave on a positive note with these nine tips...
#1. Always Give Two Weeks Notice
You may face time pressure from your new employer to get started right away. But giving two weeks’ notice is an important part of keeping your professional reputation intact.
Let your current boss decide if you need to work through the notice period. Often, your boss will appreciate the notice and free you up to move on to the new company in a matter of days.
#2. Tell Your Boss—In-Person
Most people get fired in person, so offer the same professional courtesy to your boss when you resign. If you can’t put in your notice face-to-face, the next best tool is the telephone. Never leave your resignation news on voicemail.
Put your notice in writing and submit it the same day you have the conversation with your employer. This documentation will go into your employee file and serve as a supporting record for your rehire eligibility.
#3. Keep it Simple
Giving your employer notice shouldn’t be a long-drawn-out affair. Get right to it. Simply let them know you’ve enjoyed working for the company, you’re submitting your resignation, and you’ve found a new position.
Thank them for the opportunity they’ve provided and their ongoing support, and let them know your decision is final.
#4. Keep Quiet Until Management’s Ready
Let your current employer remain in control of your resignation news. They will want to decide how to package the information and when to inform employees of your departure.
Don’t leak the details of your move out to social media. When the time is right, and you’ve got the green light from management, let others know you are moving on to another opportunity.
#5. Speak Positively about the Company You’re Leaving
Maintaining an enthusiastic demeanor is difficult when you know you are exiting a situation. But you’ll need to leave as if you’re taking a long vacation and returning in a few months.
Never get roped into criticizing your employer, talking negatively about your supervisor, or getting into deep conversations about what’s wrong with the company. Nothing will come of it because the company isn’t going to change. Keep your personal gripes to yourself.
Exit with a tall glass of Kool-Aid in your hand, a smile on your face, and a positive attitude about the organization, and you’ll be able to keep your reputation unimpaired.
#6. Leave Them Wanting More
Great salespeople always leave commissions “on the table.” That’s the job of a true professional. You’ve worked hard to build a reputation as someone who consistently sells and now’s not the time to tarnish it.
Just because you start a job search doesn’t mean you stop selling. You must remain focused and end on a high note. Never let them regret hiring you. Finish strong because you’re a sales champion.
This will make your resignation extremely painful for them–exactly how it should be. You will burn an indelible impression of yourself in their mind as someone who demonstrates consistent and successful sales behavior.
#7. Crush Hope Quickly
When you sit down at the Resignation Table, never let them think you’d consider staying if they’d just … offer you a little more money, give you a promotion, or better your circumstances somehow. You will immediately lose credibility. Any promised changes rarely come to fruition and should be seen for what they are–delay tactics.
Employers hate to see top talent leave, and when confronted with the inevitable, are willing to say a lot of things to buy time. Let them know your decision is final, and you’re moving on.
#8. Document Key Information Before You Leave
Part of leaving on a high note means setting up your successor for success. Take time to organize critical client information, sales projections, and any ongoing deals into a concise handoff document. Make sure your notes are clear and accessible. This step shows your commitment to professionalism and can help you maintain positive relationships long after you’ve left.
#9. Keep Connections Warm
In sales, your network is your lifeline. After you’ve exited, keep communication lines open with key colleagues, clients, and even supervisors. A quick check-in every few months or a LinkedIn message can go a long way in nurturing those connections. You never know when a former colleague could turn into a future client, referral, or even a valuable ally in your career path.
Focus on the Future
When you resign, it’s time to focus on the future while giving your current employer your best work on the way out.
Let someone else complain about the flaws of your soon-to-be former employer. Now’s the time to wrap up loose ends, close out unfinished work, and clear your desk for the new incumbent.
You’ve got a bright future ahead of you. Strive to make your last impression a great one, and you’ll forever remain a standout sales professional in the eyes of your former employer.