As tempting as it might be, leaving your job is never as easy as walking out, never to return. Whether you are dreaming about a better opportunity, escaping burnout, or need a change, how you leave matters as much as where you are going next.
With the year winding down, many South Africans may be at their wits’ end and need a break. But before you leave in a fit of rage, here is how to resign professionally without ghosting, creating a scene, and creating future career regrets.
How to resign professionally: Practical steps
Don’t quit in a fit of rage
We have all had that fantasy: slamming the laptop mid-meeting, walking out, and never looking back. But impulsive resignations can backfire.
Advaita Naidoo, Africa MD at Jack Hammer, Africa’s largest executive search firm, says emotional exits are becoming increasingly common, and people regret them later.
“The temptation to blow up on the way out is increasingly common, as most people are facing unprecedented pressures from all sides,” she says. “Many resignations occur in emotionally charged moments, often when unresolved frustrations bubble to the surface.”
Take a breath. Sleep on it. Prepare. Then hand in your notice calmly.
People talk, even when it’s off the record
South Africa’s professional world is surprisingly small, and back-channelling is a real thing. We know recruiters often check your social media to see the real you. But they can also message your manager, colleagues, suppliers, service providers or clients quickly. Those casual chats reveal more than your CV ever could.
Your exit interview is not a therapy session
Many companies require exit interviews. You might want to air every grievance before you leave, but you need to do this carefully.
“Constructive feedback regarding processes or procedures is fine, but exit interviews are not to be confused with a session on a therapist’s couch,” Naidoo says. “Personal attacks rarely lead to change and will most likely just reflect poorly on the departing employee.”
If something frustrated you, frame it differently with a solution.
Resign professionally by leaving with grace
Your last impression is often what people remember. Tie up the loose ends, hand over properly, and thank the people who shaped your time there, even if you did not always see eye to eye. A graceful exit rather than disappearing shows your integrity. It strengthens your professional network over the long term, protecting your future.
South Africa’s job world runs on relationships. So, when it is time to move on, do it smartly. Leave doors open. After all, you never know when an old colleague could become your next boss, or your next big opportunity.
