How to quit your job

You’d think that the act of resigning from a job would be pretty straightforward — just a simple “I’m outta here!” and you’re gone. But, of course, that’s not how it goes in reality. And in this day and age, there are quite a few details that have to be ironed out before you can walk out that door. Here’s a list of things you should take care of if you resign from a job.

1. Give notice

Unless you have an employment contract that states otherwise, you should give two weeks’ notice. If your employer asks you to stay longer, you are not obligated to do so. The only obligation you have in this respect is that you start your new job when you said you would.

2. Have the “conversation”

When you deliver the news to your supervisor, you don’t need to say much more than you’re leaving. Resist the urge to add “And do you want to know WHY? Because you have made my life a living hell since I’ve been here.” If you are pushed to say more, try to stay positive. Concentrate on the ways the company has benefited you. Don’t burn your bridges because, even if it seems unbelievable at the time, there may be some day in the distant future when you will need your ex-boss to do you a favor.

3. Write a resignation letter

Even if you resign verbally, write a resignation letter; it can help you maintain a positive relationship with your employer. You may one day need that former employer to give you a reference, so it makes sense to take the time to write a polished and professional resignation letter.

4. Ask for a reference

This may not always be possible if your boss is really upset about you leaving. In other words, it may not be the best time to ask for a reference letter if he’s throwing tape dispensers at your head. But, if the parting is amicable, then by all means ask for a reference.

5. Don’t forget the details

You may be entitled to some benefits and other salary upon leaving. Ask about continuing your health insurance coverage through COBRA, collecting unused vacation and sick pay, and keeping, cashing in, or rolling over your 401K or other pension plan.

6. Return company property

Return any company property you have, including keys, documents, computers, phones, and anything else that doesn’t belong to you.

And now, for a change of pace, here’s a video called “How NOT to quit your job.”

Four Reasons to Fall for Your Best Guy Friend

By Serena Kim

Millions of women thought, "No way, no how!" until they saw When Harry Met Sally…. In honor of the romantic comedy's twentieth anniversary, some real-life Glamour readers share their stories of slow-simmering love.

When Bridget Met Jeff

 

"Jeff and I were friends since we were 18. In our twenties, his close friend died in a skiing accident. Six months later my mother passed away. Those losses brought us closer than ever. One night at a bar, while rehashing everything that had happened, he said he was in love with me. I nearly wet my pants. I was shocked and very upset, figuring now I was going to lose my best friend on top of everything else.

 

"I told him I thought we'd been spending too much time together and needed a break. But it was only a couple of days before I was calling him up and telling him how much I missed him. Twelve months later we were engaged, and now we have two kids.” —Bridget Palitz, 36, San Diego

When Lisa Met Derik

 

"We met in gym class in high school, and after a three-year crush, I finally told him. His response: 'Thank you.' I was so mortified that I cut gym for two weeks. After graduation we lost contact for a few years, only to find out that we both lived in Brooklyn and worked across the street from each other. We made lunch plans, and I was having such a bad hair day that I brought pictures of myself and said, 'This is what I actually look like.'

 

"There was nothing to worry about, though. Sparks flew. We exchanged numbers, so I called and said, 'I'm going to ask you out, and please don't say thank you this time.' We've been married for four years, and it still feels new every day." —Lisa Coffey, 33, Montclair, N.J.

When Britt Met Jared

 

"I was introduced to my husband when we were in the eighth grade. We even 'went out' for a few weeks back then. After that, Jared and I stayed extremely close all through high school. He would constantly tell me that he loved me and that I was gorgeous, and I would literally pat him on the head and say, 'That's really nice.'

 

"Eventually, after a string of the most horrible boyfriends you can imagine, I sat down one day and made a list of the attributes of a good one. I was mortified to find out that the only person I knew who had everything I was looking for was my very longtime, very dorky, very just-a-friend friend, Jared. We have now been happily married for almost nine years." —Britt Reints, 29, Orlando, Fla.

When Emily Met Joe

 

"Once a friend asked me point-blank, 'Hey, how come you and Joe never hooked up?' I'll never forget my answer: 'His car is full of garbage.' But when I went to study abroad in college, I thought about him constantly — and not how you think about a best friend, which Joe was, but how you think about a man.

 

"I'd walk blocks and blocks in terrible weather to check my e-mail at a crummy café, only to feel deflated if he hadn't written. The first time I saw him when I got back, I was terrified. I mean, how could I love Joe? And what if he didn't feel the same? But — thankfully — he did! That was nearly 10 years ago, and we're still very happily together." —Emily Plicka, 30, Athens, Ohio