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Ask HN: How do you leave a job?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you leave a job?

#11

Post by el_dev_hell »

killtimeatwork wrote: post #9
el_dev_hell wrote: post #6

I'm one of those people that move jobs more often than you do (roughly once every 2-3 years). I prefer to arrange an in-person meeting with my direct manager. If that's not possible, Zoom/other video platform. If it's impossible to get facetime in some capacity, phonecall/email is a last resort. Always on a Friday. Ideally in the afternoon (3PM). I rip the bandaid off quickly and tell them I've decided to move on and…

> If you get a counter offer (after resigning, not during a normal salary negotiation), do not take it. You will regret it, trust me. I got a counter-offer, took it, stayed for 3 more years, never regretted it. Also, I complain A LOT to my managers about what sucks in the company. They seem to like having someone open and honest when talking to them.

> I got a counter-offer, took it, stayed for 3 more years, never regretted it.

After you had already resigned? Glad it worked for you. I had a horror show and have met several people in similar situations.

> Also, I complain A LOT to my managers about what sucks in the company. They seem to like having someone open and honest when talking to them.

Sounds like you work for a very decent company. Do you think that's a better strategy than STFU (not being a dick, I actually would like to know your opinion)?

Re: Ask HN: How do you leave a job?

#12

Post by thirtythree »

el_dev_hell wrote: post #6

I'm one of those people that move jobs more often than you do (roughly once every 2-3 years). I prefer to arrange an in-person meeting with my direct manager. If that's not possible, Zoom/other video platform. If it's impossible to get facetime in some capacity, phonecall/email is a last resort. Always on a Friday. Ideally in the afternoon (3PM). I rip the bandaid off quickly and tell them I've decided to move on and…

I didn't know what to expect when I posted the question but this is really good advice. Thank you.

Re: Ask HN: How do you leave a job?

#13

Post by sloaken »

killtimeatwork wrote: post #9
el_dev_hell wrote: post #6

I'm one of those people that move jobs more often than you do (roughly once every 2-3 years). I prefer to arrange an in-person meeting with my direct manager. If that's not possible, Zoom/other video platform. If it's impossible to get facetime in some capacity, phonecall/email is a last resort. Always on a Friday. Ideally in the afternoon (3PM). I rip the bandaid off quickly and tell them I've decided to move on and…

> If you get a counter offer (after resigning, not during a normal salary negotiation), do not take it. You will regret it, trust me. I got a counter-offer, took it, stayed for 3 more years, never regretted it. Also, I complain A LOT to my managers about what sucks in the company. They seem to like having someone open and honest when talking to them.

My expectation about a counter offer is, they just need to keep you until they can find a replacement for you.

That said it all depends on your reasons for leaving. If it is environment only, then definitely no. If it is more money maybe, but expect to be high on the layoff list should the economy turn.

Re: Ask HN: How do you leave a job?

#14

Post by sethammons »

killtimeatwork wrote: post #9
el_dev_hell wrote: post #6

I'm one of those people that move jobs more often than you do (roughly once every 2-3 years). I prefer to arrange an in-person meeting with my direct manager. If that's not possible, Zoom/other video platform. If it's impossible to get facetime in some capacity, phonecall/email is a last resort. Always on a Friday. Ideally in the afternoon (3PM). I rip the bandaid off quickly and tell them I've decided to move on and…

> If you get a counter offer (after resigning, not during a normal salary negotiation), do not take it. You will regret it, trust me. I got a counter-offer, took it, stayed for 3 more years, never regretted it. Also, I complain A LOT to my managers about what sucks in the company. They seem to like having someone open and honest when talking to them.

Same here. Counter offer, took it, still there 4 years later.

Re: Ask HN: How do you leave a job?

#16

Post by killtimeatwork »

el_dev_hell wrote: post #11
killtimeatwork wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If you get a counter offer (after resigning, not during a normal salary negotiation), do not take it. You will regret it, trust me. I got a counter-offer, took it, stayed for 3 more years, never regretted it. Also, I complain A LOT to my managers about what sucks in the company. They seem to like having someone open and honest when talking to them.

> I got a counter-offer, took it, stayed for 3 more years, never regretted it. After you had already resigned? Glad it worked for you. I had a horror show and have met several people in similar situations. > Also, I complain A LOT to my managers about what sucks in the company. They seem to like having someone open and honest when talking to them. Sounds like you work for a very decent company. Do you think that's a…

> After you had already resigned? Glad it worked for you. I had a horror show and have met several people in similar situations.

Out of curiosity, what can go badly? They offer a counter and then fire you a couple months later, after they've found a more "loyal" (or just cheaper) replacement?

> Sounds like you work for a very decent company.

The manager was a very decent and reasonable human being. He's since left and I wouldn't try it with his replacement - the new guy is detached and doesn't really give a shit about what's going on, he certainly wouldn't bother with trying to retain me with counteroffers.

Re: Ask HN: How do you leave a job?

#17

Post by killtimeatwork »

sloaken wrote: post #13
killtimeatwork wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If you get a counter offer (after resigning, not during a normal salary negotiation), do not take it. You will regret it, trust me. I got a counter-offer, took it, stayed for 3 more years, never regretted it. Also, I complain A LOT to my managers about what sucks in the company. They seem to like having someone open and honest when talking to them.

My expectation about a counter offer is, they just need to keep you until they can find a replacement for you. That said it all depends on your reasons for leaving. If it is environment only, then definitely no. If it is more money maybe, but expect to be high on the layoff list should the economy turn.

It was in a very hot market (hot specialty at the time in Eastern Europe, where there's a ton of hiring pretty much no firing yet - we're the destination where a lot of the outsourced work from Western Europe and the US ends up in). So, they didn't retain me with counteroffer only because I had specific project knowledge, but also because realistically hiring a replacement would be a pain.

Re: Ask HN: How do you leave a job?

#18

Post by giantg2 »

Ideally, I'd like to retire, or just ghost them.

Realistically, I'd give 2 weeks notice. From the experience of others, they would have me train others and create additional documentation for my areas of knowledge.

Re: Ask HN: How do you leave a job?

#19

Post by ic0n0cl4st »

killtimeatwork wrote: post #16
el_dev_hell wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I got a counter-offer, took it, stayed for 3 more years, never regretted it. After you had already resigned? Glad it worked for you. I had a horror show and have met several people in similar situations. > Also, I complain A LOT to my managers about what sucks in the company. They seem to like having someone open and honest when talking to them. Sounds like you work for a very decent company. Do you think that's a…

> After you had already resigned? Glad it worked for you. I had a horror show and have met several people in similar situations. Out of curiosity, what can go badly? They offer a counter and then fire you a couple months later, after they've found a more "loyal" (or just cheaper) replacement? > Sounds like you work for a very decent company. The manager was a very decent and reasonable human being. He's since left an…

> Out of curiosity, what can go badly? They offer a counter and then fire you a couple months later, after they've found a more "loyal" (or just cheaper) replacement?

Definitely they question loyalty. In general all companies have an expectation of loyalty from employees they will throw away at a moment’s notice without any remorse

I leave jobs for two reasons: abusive employers/coworkers ot money. Because of this I would never accept a counter-offer, obviously I wouldnt stay in an abusive alsituation, and if another company sees me as more valuable than my current employer then the fear of losing me won’t change my soon to be former employer’s view.

Re: Ask HN: How do you leave a job?

#20

Post by p0d »

I've had two jobs in IT, 13 years and 10 years. The last job was a good one. I left it because I didn't want to do the type of work I was doing anymore. I have a family and had 6 months salary saved in the bank. 1 1/2 years on and despite covid things are going well.

Work is never finished in IT :-) My advice is be advenurous with eyes wide open. There's a lot of fantasy thinking in our geek corner of the world that says everyone is awesome and can be a huge financial success. That doesn't sit right with me. What I know for a fact is that you can make a good living if you have invested your work life in IT.

And to specifcally answer your question...leave your job being grateful for the opportunity and resources the job gave you. Everyone will be happy then.

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