Afraid to give 2 weeks.

swisschris104

Hi,

I just accepted a new job offer! (YAY!!) . Now the problem is giving my manager a 2 week notice. He is really nice, and everytime I go into his office he is like super nice. I dont know how to go and there and tell him that I am putting in a 2 week notice.

Any advice? Any tips on getting over this fear..

I am leaving my 1st major IT Job.

earonw49

If he is as nice as you say he is, there is nothing to fear. He should be understand that your career progression is important and that it's "just business". If he doesn't understand this then you definitely made the right decision to leave (aside from the fact that you are progressing in your career/seeking better opportunities).

Techguru365

Dont be scared. Its understandable to feel that way, but if your manager had a reason to fire you, he wouldnt be scared to give you the boot. You have to do what is best for you, your family (if you have one) and whats best for your future. You dont owe them anything, and vice versa

Arod95

This was always my fear even if it was a retail job. I always felt bad only because for some reason I have the best timing to put my two weeks in just when **** hits the fan.

Deathgomper

I know exactly how this feels. However, there is no way to get over the fear/anxiety you just have to do it. Considering you accepted the offer the sooner the better. Also the manager has to replace you so he/she will want to start that process ASAP because finding good people is a pain in the....well you know.

mjnk77

You just need to walk in and be straight with him. One of my former managers was a close friend, someone I knew since I was a kid. I went in his office and was straight with him. He understood that I needed to do what was best for me. It will be fine.

srabiee

Just like giving a speech in public, it's one of those things that a lot of us hate to do...but sometimes you got to do it anyway.

GreaterNinja

It was hard for me to quit my job monday.
step 1: backup / wipe all documents off your PC, especially personal docs like finances, etc.
step 2: Say, "hey you got a minute? I'm leaving. No, its not you, its me. blah blah blah."
step 3: Prepare to have your computer backed up or files pulled over network. Hence step 1.
step 4: deal with the guilt tripping...tough it out. This happened to me for 2 weeks....manager cornering me in cube to talk, other manager following me to smoking section every day to say I should stay, etc.
step 5: "leave on good terms" and profit.

MTciscoguy

First of all, be nice back and just explain, a great opportunity has presented itself and you are going to be exploring that new opportunity, thanks for all you have done for me, I wouldn't be were I am at with out the opportunities this company has given me. Then of course, make sure you have cleaned up any computers you have used over your course of time you have worked then and let them know if they ever have any questions, feel free to give me a call or drop me a note, and I will help in anyway I can. It always pays to be nice and leave on good terms, you never know what is going to happen in the future and the old employer may have a position farther up the line come open.

Good luck on your new job, after my 30 years in the Army, you would be amazed at how many tried to give me their 2 week notice!

LOL

Jon_Cisco

There are some things in life you just have to do. Yeah it will feel strange walking in and trying to find the right moment. All the way up to the point that you finally do it. It's normal to feel nervous but you don't have to let it overwhelm you.

Good Luck!

MeanDrunkR2D2

First step is always back up any personal documents/web links/etc that are your own and begin the sanitizing process of removing those items from your computer. After that is done, go and ask him if he has a few minutes to chat. Be up front and let him know that you accepted a job offer with another company and are giving your 2 weeks notice. Don't wait around and make it less than that and put him in a hard place. You never know when you will cross paths again, either at the company you are leaving, or a different one in the future. So time is definitely of the essence when it comes to talking to your boss. You don't want to burn any bridges and always leave a good impression on them so if that new job goes sideways you can always go back in a worst case scenario.

emerald_octane

Had to do this recently (who doesn't?)

All I can say is that it feels AMAZING when it's finally over with. I wanted to faint before I finally got on with it. Afterwards I felt like a building had been lifted off my shoulders. "Free at last" rang through my head as I cleaned my desk in open view, gleefully ripping my certificates down from those wretched walls. Other "mice" have left that particular ship since my departure so I think I exited at a good time. Still learned alot from the place, though, with what i'm learning now, I wish I knew before and could've applied to the environment I left when I had the chance.

Kinet1c

If he's as nice as you say, he'll wish you well! Best of luck with it.

jibbajabba

Kinet1c wrote: »

If he's as nice as you say, he'll wish you well! Best of luck with it.

That.

Plus even though he is nice, when it comes to fire you for one reason or another, he'd have no problem to do so himself

RHDS2K

I'm the same as you. I always feel bad putting in a notice because regardless of how you look at it, when you work with someone over a period of time you build a relationship with them. Assuming you don't hate the boss and the company it's always uncomfortable. I always remove documents and web history as others have stated. I then write a nice little half page resignation letter saying something along the lines of "Thank you for this opportunity, i can't thank you enough for everything you have taught me. You have greatly contributed to my future success and i can't thank you enough for that" blah blah. You always want to leave on good terms so they can give you recomendations in the future. My last job was particularly hard because it was only my IT Manager and myself, so i felt really bad leaving him with everything since we got close and regularly even got lunch together. I just got a job offer with another company so i'm probably putting in my 2 week notice on Monday. Not looking forward to it, but i'll be extremely relieved when it's done. Some people worry about being treated like crap after giving a notice, but i never worry about that. The notice is out of respect and professionalism. They still need you. If they treated me like crap after being professional and giving a proper notice i'd say screw it and just leave on the spot (yes i know that goes against leaving on good terms, but hey atleast you tried ).

powerfool

I have had a hard time putting in my notice since I hit my stride, so to speak, ten years ago. The first job I left, I really liked the job and the responsibilities that I had, but we got a new boss that I just didn't enjoy working with on a personal level so I started looking, found a job and reluctantly put in my notice. The next job, it was really hard on me putting in my notice because I had grown so much while I was there; I kept going in with a plan to put in my notice but something would come up (boss going on vacation) and I didn't want to add that stress (he came back from vacation and announced he was going on vacation again the next week). During that time, I had scheduled a day off six months in advance and got reamed by the CEO for taking the day off... so, I just told them the next day that I would be putting in my notice and it would only be a week and a half because I had three more days scheduled off and no sense in coming back one day.

That is when things got difficult... my next two moves were very trying.

I don't have any advice other than do the right thing to the best of your ability. You need to change jobs for personal career growth in many cases and that is just that. Explain to them that and they should take it well and you can part on good terms. It won't make it easier.

bradl3yC

GreaterNinja wrote: »

It was hard for me to quit my job monday.
step 1: backup / wipe all documents off your PC, especially personal docs like finances, etc.
step 2: Say, "hey you got a minute? I'm leaving. No, its not you, its me. blah blah blah."
step 3: Prepare to have your computer backed up or files pulled over network. Hence step 1.
step 4: deal with the guilt tripping...tough it out. This happened to me for 2 weeks....manager cornering me in cube to talk, other manager following me to smoking section every day to say I should stay, etc.
step 5: "leave on good terms" and profit.

Step 2 cracked me up..

OP, I'm quite sure your manager has moved jobs before. He will understand.

NetworkNewb

bradl3yC wrote: »

Step 2 cracked me up..

OP, I'm quite sure your manager has moved jobs before. He will understand.

I actually had one manager almost start tearing up... was awkward. I didn't even like the guy. Was a micromanager

olaHalo

In every IT job Ive had we pretty much are "let go" if we put our two weeks in. For security reasons.
So before you tell him make sure youve wiped your PCs and cleared out all your stuff. And make sure your next job is already lined up.

jibbajabba

olaHalo wrote: »

In every IT job Ive had we pretty much are "let go" if we put our two weeks in.

I wished they have done that to me. Even in one of the largest brokerage companies I worked for in London - they let me "ride out" my full 12 weeks notice (2 weeks must be an American thing?). Happens when you are too good and they cannot afford to lose you HAHA

cyberguypr

Can't stress enough to plan for being let go on the spot. Every time I submit my resignation I make sure my belongings are in my backpack and my machine has been sanitized.

NetworkNewb

jibbajabba wrote: »

I wished they have done that to me. Even in one of the largest brokerage companies I worked for in London - they let me "ride out" my full 12 weeks notice (2 weeks must be an American thing?). Happens when you are too good and they cannot afford to lose you HAHA

Damn, 12 weeks. I always thought it was really generous just to give 2 weeks

powerfool

NetworkNewb wrote: »

Damn, 12 weeks. I always thought it was really generous just to give 2 weeks

My last job wanted a one month notice... but it didn't happen.

--chris--

Arod95 wrote: »

This was always my fear even if it was a retail job. I always felt bad only because for some reason I have the best timing to put my two weeks in just when **** hits the fan.

Funny story, this happened to me at my last job.

I put my two weeks in, then three days later a massive system outage occurred which drained the techs out of my building. Then I left. The place went from 11 techs to 3 for about a month while the "disaster recovery" occurred at the site two states away. I felt bad for the three that were left behind lol.

olaHalo

jibbajabba wrote: »

I wished they have done that to me. Even in one of the largest brokerage companies I worked for in London - they let me "ride out" my full 12 weeks notice (2 weeks must be an American thing?). Happens when you are too good and they cannot afford to lose you HAHA

I wish I had a position that needed me that much =D

ajs1976

GreaterNinja wrote: »

step 4: deal with the guilt tripping...tough it out.

I ruined Christmas . . .

anhtran35

I have good relations with all my previous managers. I still POW WOW with them online or schedule Happy Hour events to catch up. Keep in touch with him. Networking is forge through positive relationships with past co workers and managers.

BradleyHU

I've never been nervous to give my 2 weeks notice. When I've given my 2 weeks, that means i was ready to goooo!!! you should never feel bad for giving you 2 weeks....