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Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 7:13 pm
by Anonymous User
2L - have been working as a clerk at a small firm since the fall. Accepted a position at another firm for the summer. Firm I'm at now doesn't give me much work/hasn't said anything about working over the summer or coming on as an associate. Firm I'll be at over the summer said there is a possibility of coming on as an associate. What's the best way to tell them I'm leaving for a better opportunity while still being respectful? I've never really been in this position
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 7:15 pm
by zot1
Just talk to your supervisor. It's not that big of a deal.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 8:23 pm
by misterjames
agree with zot, this sounds pretty straightforward. next time you get a chance to speak with your supervisor just say "wanted to let you know my last day here will be [xyz]."
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:02 pm
by Abbie Doobie
i want to thank you for the opportunity to start my legal career at the firm and to develop my skill set
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 1:21 pm
by ur_hero
Anonymous User wrote:2L - have been working as a clerk at a small firm since the fall. Accepted a position at another firm for the summer. Firm I'm at now doesn't give me much work/hasn't said anything about working over the summer or coming on as an associate. Firm I'll be at over the summer said there is a possibility of coming on as an associate. What's the best way to tell them I'm leaving for a better opportunity while still being respectful? I've never really been in this position
Not a big deal....And you don't have to be apologetic about it either.
"Hey, I just wanted to let you know in advance that I have just accepted an opportunity with another firm for this upcoming Summer. I really appreciate having had the chance to work with you and everything I learned . . . this was a tough decision, but believe this is the best move for my career goals."
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 1:45 pm
by ClubberLang
ur_hero wrote:Anonymous User wrote:2L - have been working as a clerk at a small firm since the fall. Accepted a position at another firm for the summer. Firm I'm at now doesn't give me much work/hasn't said anything about working over the summer or coming on as an associate. Firm I'll be at over the summer said there is a possibility of coming on as an associate. What's the best way to tell them I'm leaving for a better opportunity while still being respectful? I've never really been in this position
Not a big deal....And you don't have to be apologetic about it either.
"Hey, I just wanted to let you know in advance that I have just accepted an opportunity with another firm for this upcoming Summer. I really appreciate having had the chance to work with you and everything I learned . . .
this was a tough decision, but believe this is the best move for my career goals."
Don't say that. It does nothing for you, and at worst they'll think you are insincere, because, quite honestly, it does not sound like it was a tough decision.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 2:13 pm
by ur_hero
ClubberLang wrote:ur_hero wrote:Anonymous User wrote:2L - have been working as a clerk at a small firm since the fall. Accepted a position at another firm for the summer. Firm I'm at now doesn't give me much work/hasn't said anything about working over the summer or coming on as an associate. Firm I'll be at over the summer said there is a possibility of coming on as an associate. What's the best way to tell them I'm leaving for a better opportunity while still being respectful? I've never really been in this position
Not a big deal....And you don't have to be apologetic about it either.
"Hey, I just wanted to let you know in advance that I have just accepted an opportunity with another firm for this upcoming Summer. I really appreciate having had the chance to work with you and everything I learned . . .
this was a tough decision, but believe this is the best move for my career goals."
Don't say that. It does nothing for you, and at worst they'll think you are insincere, because, quite honestly, it does not sound like it was a tough decision.
So don't be courteous and tactful? Got it.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 7:28 pm
by lolwat
I think the point was that you can go overboard with the supposed courtesy/tact. I would have stopped at the second sentence myself too.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:06 pm
by Anonymous User
OP here
Was thinking of getting a small thank you gift for the partners I worked with, any suggestions or is this not really necessary?
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:09 pm
by trebekismyhero
Anonymous User wrote:OP here
Was thinking of getting a small thank you gift for the partners I worked with, any suggestions or is this not really necessary?
Not necessary.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:10 pm
by zot1
trebekismyhero wrote:Anonymous User wrote:OP here
Was thinking of getting a small thank you gift for the partners I worked with, any suggestions or is this not really necessary?
Not necessary.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:15 pm
by Anonymous User
,
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:15 pm
by Anonymous User
So, would a $10-$20 amazon gift card with a thank you note look tacky?
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 10:04 am
by Anonymous User
I also have a question about this
I wanted to give a two week notice but the attorney I work with isn't here and I'm not sure when he's getting back. Is it fine to send him an email telling him I'll be leaving or should I wait till he gets back?
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 10:20 am
by chili_davis
OP, IMO the best way to let your employers know is with a two-week notice. I would say a gift card or equivalent is comparable to giving your teacher an apple. Take the professional route with a notice, thank you, and hand shake.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:39 am
by ur_hero
Anonymous User wrote:So, would a $10-$20 amazon gift card with a thank you note look tacky?
I think this would be weird.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:46 am
by ur_hero
lolwat wrote:I think the point was that you can go overboard with the supposed courtesy/tact. I would have stopped at the second sentence myself too.
Honestly, it's just an example of a pretty standard thing to say. If people are stressing over a few words in this context, they are overthinking it.
Point is, be a human being. Worst thing that can happen is if they liked you enough to be mildly disappointed.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 2:41 pm
by trebekismyhero
ur_hero wrote:Anonymous User wrote:So, would a $10-$20 amazon gift card with a thank you note look tacky?
I think this would be weird.
Very weird. What is the point?
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 2:46 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:I also have a question about this
I wanted to give a two week notice but the attorney I work with isn't here and I'm not sure when he's getting back. Is it fine to send him an email telling him I'll be leaving or should I wait till he gets back?
I just had to do this - I sent a short email, saying that we needed to talk but I'd prefer to talk on the phone. The attorney knew what that meant and called back. If you know the attorney will be back tomorrow, then I would wait, but if it'll be a couple of days then best to get moving. I think in person or as close to in person conversations are the best, but it depends on your relationship with the attorney, how long you've been there, if you're a law student clerking who they expect will move on vs. an associate, etc.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 2:47 pm
by Anonymous User
My parents aren't from here and in there culture gift giving is huge. Even though I've lived here my whole life I guess there are some aspects of American culture I'm still not familiar with
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 3:35 pm
by trebekismyhero
Anonymous User wrote:My parents aren't from here and in there culture gift giving is huge. Even though I've lived here my whole life I guess there are some aspects of American culture I'm still not familiar with
As a general rule, you don't give your bosses gifts except maybe for very special occasions. Especially when you're leaving. You thank them for everything, maybe offer to buy a drink and keep in touch. That's the extent of gift giving
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2017 6:57 pm
by sms18
Anonymous User wrote:So, would a $10-$20 amazon gift card with a thank you note look tacky?
Please don't do this.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 5:50 pm
by Anonymous User
Is there a thread about how best to quit from a legal job? I'm about to quit from my first real-world job and was wondering if there is anything different I ought to do other than give two weeks notice to HR.
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 6:11 pm
by trebekismyhero
Anonymous User wrote:Is there a thread about how best to quit from a legal job? I'm about to quit from my first real-world job and was wondering if there is anything different I ought to do other than give two weeks notice to HR.
Just have a conversation with your supervisor and HR. Don't need to overthink it
Re: Best way of telling current employer you're leaving
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 6:19 pm
by jchiles
Anonymous User wrote:So, would a $10-$20 amazon gift card with a thank you note look tacky?
Fwiw i don't think there is any situation where I would buy an adult a 10-20 amazon gift card. No thank you gift is necessary in any situation like this.
