Get Offered a New Job? How to Break the News to Your Current Boss

• Author: Mary Singleton
• Posted: 2024-01-14

There is nothing that quite compares to the feeling that comes with getting a great job offer. However, then you realize that you now need to break the news to your current boss. Regardless of if you are truly ready to move on or if you want to parlay this offer into a raise, you need to approach this situation delicately. Here is what to do when you receive a job offer at another organization.

Make a Plan

There are a number of things that may have precipitated this job offer. Maybe you were looking for a new job because you have not been happy with your current employment? Or perhaps the job came to you unsolicited? You should still have a plan when you set up a time to speak with your supervisor.

It is important that you seriously consider your options to understand what you are hoping to get out of the meeting with your boss. If you know that leaving may be difficult, you may want to stay on but use this job offer as leverage to receive a raise. Conversely, if you know that you are going to accept the new offer, you want to leave gracefully without burning any bridges on your way out.

Schedule a Meeting and Arrive Prepared

This news is clearly not something that you want to mention in passing in the break room. Instead, you need to schedule a meeting with your boss and get it on their calendar. If possible, this meeting should be conducted in person. If you are currently working remotely, a video conference call is a much better choice than a phone call.

It is also a good idea to have an official resignation letter ready to go. Your boss will most likely ask for something in writing. This letter should provide details such as when you plan to leave the company and how you plan to help during the transition.

Consider the Timing

It would be wise to consider the timing when you schedule the meeting with your current boss. It is considered bad form to deliver bad news on a Friday afternoon. However, you also want to let your boss know as soon as possible. Many people recommend breaking news such as this at the end of a Monday or Tuesday. And it goes without saying that you should offer to stay on for at least two weeks to help with bringing your replacement on board and to tie up loose ends.

Keep it Positive

This is not the time to air your grievances. Even if you are certain that you are leaving, you need to keep the tone of the meeting positive. Remember that you may someday need a reference. This is also a good time to praise the organization and what you have gained from the experience.

Be Prepared for a Counteroffer

If you are using this job offer as a way to improve your position with the current company or to get a raise, it is important that you are prepared for a counteroffer. This is why you need to go into the meeting knowing your overall objective. If you do not want to stay in your current position, this potential counteroffer probably means nothing to you. However, if you are open to staying with the organization, you need to know what your price is to remain. Either way, you need to be ready to respond to the counteroffer or at least be prepared to ask for a bit more time to consider your options.

Do Not Neglect New Employer

During this time of transition, you also should be keeping in contact with the new employer. It is recommended to let them know when you have put in your resignation so that they know exactly when you will be ready to start. This communication ensures that you start off the new job on a positive note. Going without any contact could potentially send the message that you are not fully on board.

There is no doubt that making this leap may be a challenging time for you. However, going in with a plan of execution to transition from old to new will make the change as easy as possible.