How to tell your boss you got another job offer

The first step in telling your boss you got another job is to schedule a meeting with them. This information is best suited for an in-person meeting. You should try to avoid telling your boss this via email, phone call, or internal messaging system. When you ask to schedule a meeting with them, just let your boss know you need to discuss something important.

• Practice honesty

When you meet with your boss, it is important to be honest. Tell them that you have another job offer, and give them your reasoning as to why this offer is an improvement on your current position or is a job you can not pass up. Ask them how you can start to transition or phase out from your current position and if there is anything specific that you need to do.

• Express your appreciation

It is very important to express your appreciation to your boss for the current job you are leaving. This means you should be respectful, polite, and professional when delivering this news and also personally thank them for the opportunity you have had working under them. You could also highlight specific skills and experience that have been vital for you at this job.

• Be open to options

Your boss might come back at you with a counteroffer, perhaps a raise or even a promotion, to keep you from leaving the company. It is important to be prepared for this and to give it respectful consideration, especially if it is a great counteroffer. If you are not interested then respectfully decline and reiterate why you are taking the new job offer.

• Use active listening

It is important to actively listen to your boss and their feedback on this matter. Again, they might offer you incentives to stay or simply want to probe you a bit further on the matter. You should not just deliver the news and then lose focus in the meeting. Remember, you still might need them as a reference in the future of your career. Use professionalism in this interaction.

• Give your notice

Most companies appreciate at least two weeks' notice when you are leaving a job. Make sure you understand your specific company's policies beforehand. If you work somewhere that typically asks for more advanced notice, you should try to honor this request. Once you have given your boss notice, offer to help in any way you can with this transition process.