How to Mail Your Boss About a New Job Offer: A Comprehensive Guide

When faced with the decision to resign and accept a new job offer, it's important to consider the best way to communicate this to your employer. While a simple letter stating you have accepted another position and providing an effective resignation date might seem straightforward, it's crucial to approach this delicately. This article offers guidance on the best practices and pitfalls to avoid when sharing news of a new job offer with your boss.

Why Not Just a Simple Letter?

One might think that simply stating 'I have accepted a position elsewhere and my resignation is effective on [date]' would suffice. However, this straightforward approach might not always be the best strategy. If your boss wants to speak with you, they will request a meeting, but if you just send the letter, you might miss out on opportunities for a meaningful conversation or a potential counteroffer.

My Recommendation: Don't

I strongly advise against sharing the news of a new job offer to your boss, especially if you are hoping to leverage this information to secure a raise. Even if you do manage to get a raise, chances are you will be 'on the street' in three to six months. Your boss can take this as a sign of disloyalty to both them and the company. If your boss offers a counteroffer, they may see this as a signal that you are looking for an exit. They will likely not invest more time or resources in your career.

Instead of trying to use this information to your advantage, focus on either accepting the new offer and moving on to the new company or declining it and staying put. Discussing the offer with your boss may indeed lead to a better counteroffer, but as soon as they learn you have declined, they will view you as captive. This happens frequently in the business world, and it's best to keep these discussions private or only discuss them once you have made a firm decision.

Professional Resignation Strategy

My advice has always been to avoid revealing your intentions until you have a definite decision. Too many employers might interpret your announcement as a threat that you will leave at a later stage, which might prompt them to offer a raise in order to keep you. However, the higher salary could just be temporary until they can replace you with someone else and maneuver you out of the company. In this scenario, you will be at a disadvantage when looking for a new job.

Additionally, rumors spreading about a potential job offer can be detrimental. If it turns out that you don’t accept the offer, others might interpret it as a management failure, or something went wrong on your part.

When making your decision, consider the current and future expectations of your position. If you decide to leave, provide professional notice, work to train your replacement, and bid farewell with a smile. Always communicate the bigger picture: are you leaving because of the opportunity, or are you staying?

Only contact your boss once you have made a final decision, and be prepared to either accept the offer with proper notice or stay in your current role to avoid creating any unnecessary confusion or negativity in the workplace.