How do I write a document about why I'm leaving a company?

[Christopher2012]

Well, I'm beginning a new job as most of you know. However, because the company I worked for (as an intern) didn't offer me a position, I was obviously forced to leave.

But here's the thing. I really loved the company I'm leaving. I loved going to work every day, I loved my coworkers, and I know the system like the back of my hand. One of the pharmacists told me that he could leave the pharmacy at any time and I could take over with no interruption.

The pharmacy manager and I still keep in touch. He has told me that I need to write a formal document to the district manager stating how well I work at the company and that I would love any opportunity to come back in the future. And afterwards, the pharmacy manager will add to it and say all these good things about me.

But I'm having a sorta hard time. I've never written anything like this. Does anybody have any tips? I know the main things - say that I love the company, talk about how long I've worked for the company, mention that I was a loyal and good employee.

It sucks that I have to leave. The pharmacy manager swears that I'll be back in Savannah with the same company again within 1 year. I highly doubt it...

Anyways, any input would be appreciated.

 

[imemkay]

Christopher....I was so impressed at how happy and hopeful this post started. You loved the job, you loved the company, you were staying in touch with people, they could probably get you back in the company....then you had to throw in "I highly doubt it". It's like you threw a bucket of cold water over my head. It made me sad!

 

[Lord Pmann]

You just don't understand.

But I would say this, don't gush. Make it professional. But don't be too lavish.

 

[Christopher2012]

Christopher....I was so impressed at how happy and hopeful this post started. You loved the job, you loved the company, you were staying in touch with people, they could probably get you back in the company....then you had to throw in "I highly doubt it". It's like you threw a bucket of cold water over my head. It made me sad!

I'm saying that I doubt that the district manager will call me within 1 year. I'd love to come back.

Well, I would but I wouldn't. Now that I have another job, I don't really want to shit on the new company. I want to build myself and see if maybe I like it more.

So I'm undecided about my future with the "old" company.

 

[imemkay]

Oh I know what you're saying....nothing good could ever happen to you.
Of course you should be optimistic about your new company but it's important to leave options open and impress people along the way. You never know where you'll run into them in the future.

Listen to pmann...keep it professional!

 

[Christopher2012]

Oh I know what you're saying....nothing good could ever happen to you.
Of course you should be optimistic about your new company but it's important to leave options open and impress people along the way. You never know where you'll run into them in the future.

Listen to pmann...keep it professional!

Well... something good DID happen to me. I discovered The Game of Thrones. But that's irrelevant. haha

 

[Christopher2012]

You will have many jobs you love but will leave for one reason or another.

I would simply thank them for the opportunity, that you have learnt so much working for xyz and wish them continued success.

Noone likes a suck-up.

AH YES, I should thank them. That would be a good idea. I didn't think of that. haha

I'm not being a smartass. I really didn't think about actually thanking them.

 

[Lord Pmann]

No one likes a suck-up.

Depends what one is sucking.
(heehee)

 

[silverwhisper]

christopher: the point of this document is to leave the possibility of your return open. therefore, this document needs to do several things:

1. demonstrate how much you learned with some very specific details. just a sentence or two should do the trick here. it's a fine line to walk between pointing out how good you are and sounding like an insufferable schmuck.

2. explain what you did--above and beyond what another person might've done as an intern--that helped the business succeed. that person wasn't your direct manager, so very likely has no idea in terms of specifics how good you are.

3. make sure you are memorable.

and then, you do the most important part: follow-up. once ever few weeks, then slow down to once every few months.

you want them thinking about you when they think they wanna bring in a new person. that's how it's done.

ed

 

[culloden]

You are wise not to burn bridges. I've gone back to work for two different employers over the years, and I'm actually talking with one about going back a third time. It's not like in my parents' day when people stayed put.

You've gotten good advice here. The only thing I can add is to stay in touch with your former co-workers. Once you're in a network, you may be surprised at the opportunities that arise.

Oh, and for fuck's sake, be positive.

 

[ohjanesays]

Aww. I feel like we're watching Chris grow up on Lit. Asking out girls, putting things up his ass, moving away, now writing this letter.

It shouldn't be more than a page. Maybe half a page? It is always good to keep in touch with your former job and I'm glad your boss suggested it. I've actually been editing my former manager's cover letter, resume, and any correspondence she's been sending to the new job she has been applying to. I wouldn't mind looking your letter over if you didn't mind letting me read it.

I think this is as positive Chris will get Things sound like they are looking up for you. Oh yeah, I know you're not into social networks but I would suggest joining Linkedin. I'm not in any others but that's the one I have. It's a good way to stay in contact with old coworkers, bosses, etc. And could potentially help you find jobs later on if you were unhappy with your current. I know someone on this thread may put down Linkedin but it works for my field.

 

[njlauren]

It doesn't have to be lavish or ass kissing. The basic tone of such a letter usually is "I am leaving the employ of X corporation as of Y date. In my x (months, years) at the company I came to appreciate the ins and outs of the business, I learned how to deal with people, I learned how to use my schooling and the knowledge learned on the job to solve problems and make the customer experience better and I am grateful that the company and more importantly,the people who work here, gave me the opportunity to learn these things which I believe will go forward with me in my career. Though I am leaving, I truly enjoyed the experience and if in the future an opportunity arose within the organization, I would be glad to have the opportunity to apply for it and hopefully work there once again".

Obviously, use your own words, but that is the general drift. I agree with not burning bridges, you never know who you are going to run into and when. I did burn bridges with one job, but I figured if the person I burned them with was with a company I thought of working for, I wouldn't want to

 

[Lord Pmann]

Aww. I feel like we're watching Chris grow up on Lit. Asking out girls, putting things up his ass, moving away, now writing this letter.

Hahaha. I laughed at this. Very nice.

 

[BiTodd]

You could be diplomatic or not so much. Knowing which bridges to burn comes with wisdom.

 

[Bramblethorn]

You could be diplomatic or not so much. Knowing which bridges to burn comes with wisdom.

Keep in mind that a lot of prospective jobs will want references from past employers, so even if you have no intention of going back it usually pays to be cordial.

I had to break this rule because I got fired by an arsehole boss who put me in a position where I had to publicly embarrass him - the alternative was going along with something that was unethical and quite possibly illegal. He had a policy that all written references from his organisation had to be approved by him - ostensibly so he could ensure they didn't disclose confidential info, but more likely because he liked to be in control of EVERYTHING.

In the end I got around it by providing selection panels with my (non-arsehole) ex-manager's phone number, so he could give them a verbal reference without going through the censors. I don't think they were paranoid enough to tap the phones...

 

[Christopher2012]

Aww. I feel like we're watching Chris grow up on Lit. Asking out girls, putting things up his ass, moving away, now writing this letter.

I love you, Jane. And when I say "I love you, Jane," I mean that I don't.

 

[njlauren]

Keep in mind that a lot of prospective jobs will want references from past employers, so even if you have no intention of going back it usually pays to be cordial.

I had to break this rule because I got fired by an arsehole boss who put me in a position where I had to publicly embarrass him - the alternative was going along with something that was unethical and quite possibly illegal. He had a policy that all written references from his organisation had to be approved by him - ostensibly so he could ensure they didn't disclose confidential info, but more likely because he liked to be in control of EVERYTHING.

In the end I got around it by providing selection panels with my (non-arsehole) ex-manager's phone number, so he could give them a verbal reference without going through the censors. I don't think they were paranoid enough to tap the phones...

Most companies will not give references for past employees, they will verify when someone worked there, the dates and the salary, but they won't give out other details, even if the employee has been terminated for cause, they are too afraid of lawsuits to do so. Obviously if someone talks to a manager in the company or other employees they may give negative feedback, but companies will no officially comment on an ex employees performance. This has been SOP for a long time as far as I know.

 

[cwaltz]

Most companies will not give references for past employees, they will verify when someone worked there, the dates and the salary, but they won't give out other details, even if the employee has been terminated for cause, they are too afraid of lawsuits to do so. Obviously if someone talks to a manager in the company or other employees they may give negative feedback, but companies will no officially comment on an ex employees performance. This has been SOP for a long time as far as I know.

Agree. If they say anything negative about you, you could essentially sue them for not getting your potential job.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Most companies will not give references for past employees, they will verify when someone worked there, the dates and the salary, but they won't give out other details, even if the employee has been terminated for cause, they are too afraid of lawsuits to do so. Obviously if someone talks to a manager in the company or other employees they may give negative feedback, but companies will no officially comment on an ex employees performance. This has been SOP for a long time as far as I know.

Here in Australia, it varies from employer to employer. Some follow the policy you describe; some will give more info but only over the phone; some will happily give written references, possibly because .au isn't quite as lawyer-happy as our trans-Pacific cousin.

In this case my employer was willing to provide written references - it's just that they had to be authorised by Arsehole Boss who'd fired me shortly after I refused to put my name to something I thought was dishonest, so the content might have been... unhelpful. Giving a phone reference ensured that they talked to somebody without an axe to grind, without censorship.

 

[albertaboy]

I'm saying that I doubt that the district manager will call me within 1 year. I'd love to come back.

Well, I would but I wouldn't. Now that I have another job, I don't really want to shit on the new company. I want to build myself and see if maybe I like it more.

So I'm undecided about my future with the "old" company.

just take the high road and keep it vague.

I want to thank you for the great opportunity, I learned a lot, really liked the culture of the company and appreciated the support you received from your boss.

 

[njlauren]

Here in Australia, it varies from employer to employer. Some follow the policy you describe; some will give more info but only over the phone; some will happily give written references, possibly because .au isn't quite as lawyer-happy as our trans-Pacific cousin.

In this case my employer was willing to provide written references - it's just that they had to be authorised by Arsehole Boss who'd fired me shortly after I refused to put my name to something I thought was dishonest, so the content might have been... unhelpful. Giving a phone reference ensured that they talked to somebody without an axe to grind, without censorship.

It varies here as well,some companies may give out references depending on location but even in management school they said not to,so it is rare.On the other hand companies ask for references and if someone is an f up they won't have any good ones,which is a sign.Plus it tends to be a small world,people know people and so forth so it does get around.

 

[Christopher2012]

Plus it tends to be a small world,people know people and so forth so it does get around.

Especially in my case...