I've been working at this "big" company for nearly a year now and I just can't take the politics of it anymore. It seems I was naive to think that as a developer I should work to improve the product by finding bugs, fix them, build new features fast. But I was wrong. People don't want you to build new features fast because they won't be able to test it in time and they frown if you find bugs because they somehow think you're making them look bad. And this behavior goes up the chain, to senior dev, to manager and may be up. Hiding mistakes, disowning bugs and what not.
I feel like I'm neither getting recognition, nor the reward but think I'm getting the satirical blunt of it (I don't get it most of the time).
How would you guys proceed to quit this job ? Yearly performance review is coming up but I'm not sure if I can make it past the regular 5% increase. Should I say it's not enough and just quit ?
How do I quit nicely without burning the bridges?
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Re: How do I quit nicely without burning the bridges?
#2People leave developer jobs all the time; it's expected.
You haven't been able to change the process working "from the inside" so resist the urge to give them any "helpful" advice on your way out - it won't be appreciated.
Find your next job. This is important: When your new employer asks you when you can start, tell them depending "on how fast your can wrap things up" 1 to 2 weeks.
If you current employer walks you out the door when you tell them you're leaving , enjoy a week or two off. If they want you to stay for 2 weeks you do that and start your new job afterwards.
Re: How do I quit nicely without burning the bridges?
#3Start looking for another job now. If you get an offer you like, give 2 weeks notice, tell the new place you need 3 weeks, and take a week vacation recharge before your next adventure.
Re: How do I quit nicely without burning the bridges?
#4Write a nice, professional letter and leave out all of that crap.
Re: How do I quit nicely without burning the bridges?
#5[deleted]
Re: How do I quit nicely without burning the bridges?
#6> I just can't take the politics of it anymore.
Political Savvy is a core executive leadership skill--if you decide to quit, you'll no doubt run into any number of organizations full of strong egos, constituencies, rivalries, and assorted issues. Beyond your role as a developer-- can you navigate within the company to motivate others and get things done? Can you deal with your managers persuasively?
Office politics doesn't go away, here's an HBR article you may find of interest> https://hbr.org/2015/01/office-politics-isnt-something-you-c...
Re: How do I quit nicely without burning the bridges?
#7I'm iterating what's been said here already, but want to make sure you realize it really is the best way:
Just find another position, give decent notice, and move on. If anyone asks, it's always about how much better the new opportunity is, not about how crappy the current job was.
Re: How do I quit nicely without burning the bridges?
#8"Dear $NAME,
I am writing to give my $LENGTH_OF_NOTICE notice as required in my contract. My last day of employment with you will be $DATE
Please let me know if there is anything that you'd like me to focus on in my last $LENGTH_OF_NOTICE months employment.
Your sincerely,
$YOUR_NAME."
This is all you need. You don't need, nor want, to go into the reasons. It's probably best to not mention the reasons even if they specifically ask; just tell them that you got a better offer somewhere else.
Re: How do I quit nicely without burning the bridges?
#9I'm iterating what's been said here already, but want to make sure you realize it really is the best way: Just find another position, give decent notice, and move on. If anyone asks, it's always about how much better the new opportunity is, not about how crappy the current job was.
This is the way to go and well worded.
One comment, politics will be at every company you work at, especially the larger ones. Even those who swear they don't have any, so you have to accept there will always be some but find the ones you can live with and learn to navigate what remains. Good companies do their best to control and eliminate bad politics but some will always exist. I am one who doesn't do well with politics around product or deceit, so I'd be out the door with you if I saw what you are saying.
You can learn how to screen companies, to some degree, during the interview process. It takes a little time and practice to figure out how and it is also a lot about you personally and what you can accept or not.
Re: How do I quit nicely without burning the bridges?
#10People leave developer jobs all the time; it's expected. You haven't been able to change the process working "from the inside" so resist the urge to give them any "helpful" advice on your way out - it won't be appreciated. Find your next job. This is important: When your new employer asks you when you can start, tell them depending "on how fast your can wrap things up" 1 to 2 weeks. If you current employer walks you…
I'll sound like a broken record for saying this, but unless you are under contract you can leave at any time. Two weeks is a courtesy YOU extend and nothing more. If you were to be laid off or fired you wouldn't get two weeks notice, would you? You'd be out within the hour.
If this place is as dysfunctional as it seems, staying two weeks after giving notice will be a nightmare.
So clean your house now as you search for a new job. Take the time to get your work documented and tidied up. Do it quietly. Don't give any signals you're looking. Business as usual.
Once that's all set and you give notice, if your employer gives ANY friction at all then just walk out the door. If they need you for two more weeks of help they can hire you as a contractor at a nicely inflated rate.
And like chrisbennet says, schedule some downtime between jobs to decompress, unpack, and mentally prepare for the next gig (unless you really need the income).