Coach the candidate before they resign to mentally prepare them and ensure they follow through without accepting counter offers.
1
👋
INTRODUCTION
All set to still resign later/tomorrow? How are you feeling about it? 🤔
Have you ever resigned before? 📝
How do you think your manager will react? How did they react when others resigned? 😮💨
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🎯
REINFORCE PUSH & PULL FACTORS
It’s never a nice conversation to have, it’s like breaking up with someone!! 💔
What helps I think is to remember your WHY. 🎯 I’m sure you tell your candidates exactly the same don’t you? 💬
What excites you most about going to [company]? 🚀
Now reinforce their answers by adding more of their push and pull factors. ⚖️
And remember [candidate name] that this role will also help you achieve your long-term goals of [insert goals] so you know you are making the right decision for now AND for your future. 🌟
3
🔒
CHECK THEIR COMMITMENT
Have you thought through how they might try to keep you? What would you do in that situation? 🤔
Is there anything they could say or offer that would make you stay? 💬
What if they chucked 50K at you???? 💸
4
🗂️
PREP FOR THE MEETING
Let’s run through what the meeting and prepare you for what might happen — who are you speaking to first? 🗣️
Have you prepared your resignation letter and a basic handover doc? Want me to review them with you? 📝
Just a reminder — keep the meeting short, polite, and don’t mention the company name you are going to or any salary details. 🤐
5
🗣️
COACH ON CONTENT
Let’s go through what you will say. How will you deliver the news? 🧑💼
Give them feedback on what they say:
• They should sound firm, confident and like their decision is final. ✅
• They should actually say their decision is final. ✔️
• They don’t need to go into reasons why they are leaving and they should not mention which company they are going to or any other details on the opportunity, like salary. 🤐
• Tip: Get them to pre-empt and say no to any counteroffer. 🚫
“I’ve made a clear and final decision to resign from my position. I’ve accepted an offer elsewhere and today officially marks the beginning of my notice period.
I’d prefer not to discuss the details of where I’m going or the package I’ve accepted, out of respect to both businesses. What I’d ask is that we focus on wrapping things up well and keeping everything positive from here. This has been a great place to start my career and I’m genuinely grateful for the support I’ve had here.
I’ve prepared a full handover document to make the transition as smooth as possible and I’m committed to working my notice period professionally and respectfully if that is what you would like.
I want to be upfront and say I’m not open to any counter offers, and I’d appreciate it if we didn’t go down that road. This decision has come after careful thought and consideration, and it’s based on what I believe is best for my long-term career.
I just want to end on saying thank you for everything and I wish you and the team here well for the future.”
6
⚠️
WARN ABOUT TACTICS
• Sometimes companies will ask you to go away and ‘think about it’ — that’s often a tactic to delay your move. Respond by saying your decision is final and your notice period starts today. 🧠
• They might ask you to work from the office during your notice period to pressure or guilt you. Stay professional and focused. 🏢
• They may walk you off site immediately so make sure you have everything you need ready to go if you think that is likely. 🎒
• Do not take any property including data that belongs to the company. 📁
• Do not hand over any passwords for your LinkedIn profile, you own your LinkedIn profile. 🔐
• If a counteroffer comes up, we need to talk straight away — even if you don’t plan to accept it. So call me the minute you leave the meeting. 📞
• Don’t sign anything new from your current employer — especially not updated contracts or restrictions. Ask to seek legal representation and then call me immediately. 🖊️
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📝
NEXT STEPS
Once you’ve had the conversation, email your resignation to create a written record. 📧
Drop me a quick message after the meeting to let me know how it went — I’m here for any support. 🤝
8
🎉
END ON EXCITEMENT
So how are you feeling now? 😌 The team are buzzing to have you; they literally cannot wait to have you start. ✨
Let’s get this bit done and then we can start focusing on Day One in your new role. 📅