It doesn't matter if you are a manager, shop foreman, truck or equipment technician it's never an easy decision when you choose to resign from your job. Before going ahead, you should be certain it’s the right route for you to take at this time in your career and always think things through carefully before committing. Its essential that you’re absolutely sure this is what you want to do as changing your mind could result in a very costly mistake.

Think about it this way; in your position as a heavy truck mechanic, you’ve been a valuable member of staff. Your employers won’t want to see you leave and once they hear you’re handing in your resignation, they are likely to make you a counter offer. This will be an incentive, such as an increase in salary or improved terms and conditions, designed to make you change your mind about leaving.

However, research has shown that employees who accept this counter offer are much more likely to experience difficulties in their career while they remain with their current employer. Only very few of the heavy truck mechanics who have accepted the incentives have found them to be beneficial in the long run, so no matter how tempting the offer may seem, think carefully about it before proceeding.

When a heavy truck mechanic resigns from his job, it reflects poorly on his manager and on the business as a whole. This negative image is increased even more if the mechanic is a key member of staff, so management will try their hardest to ensure the employee remains with the company. Companies are well aware of how stressful moving jobs is so they will use this to their advantage when persuading the heavy truck mechanic to stay. By making the right offer, they believe the employee will change his mind about leaving.

However, before jumping in to accept what seems like an offer you can’t refuse, think about these widely accepted facts:

• Regardless of what management may say, the fact is your commitment to the company will always be called into question. Be prepared to be considered disloyal and find yourself feeling somewhat left out from the inner workings of the business.
• If you decide to remain with the company for now, management will be well aware that the chances of you resigning in the future are high. For this reason, any counteroffer they make is regarded as a temporary measure designed to keep you with them until they can find a successor to your role.
• The reasons you wanted to leave your job will not change and these are likely to resurface again in the future. Any improvements made with the counteroffer are unlikely to last long term.
• Well-run, leading businesses never make counteroffers. Their terms and conditions are regarded as fair by the management, who will not allow themselves to be drawn into counteroffer blackmail.

Refusing a counteroffer made by your employers will only serve to make the relationship even more strained than what it already is, so you should offer your resignation firmly and in a way that will make it clear that any incentives will not be accepted. Be confident and firm when stating you intend to resign and that your decision is not up for negotiation. A half-hearted approach that doesn’t state your intentions firmly will give the impression that you are only trying to see what improvements management will offer.

To avoid misinterpretation of your intentions, always hand in a written letter of resignation. Use a computer and keep it short and to the point. In the letter, state firmly your intention to resign, thank the company for the time you have spent with them and give a definite date of leaving. It’s also a good idea to say you’re willing to help in any way you can.

If your boss mentions anything that remotely sounds like it is leading to a counteroffer, interrupt immediately and state firmly your intention to go ahead with your decision and your mind cannot be changed. Repeat the last paragraph of your letter, reaffirming your willingness to help the company through your notice period.

Be prepared for the reaction of your boss during this meeting, which may be anything from making you feel guilty, reacting angrily, or even expressing congratulations on your new job offer. No mater what the reaction turns out to be you should always remain professional and keep your calm. Remember, you haven’t done anything wrong and are under no obligation to answer any hostile questions. Simply apologize for any upset they are feeling and again offer your assistance during the transition.

It’s vital that you remain polite and professional throughout your resignation meeting. Remember, you will no doubt be looking for a reference from this company so don’t give them any reason to criticize your behavior. The impression you make now will be a lasting one so if you anger your employer there’s a good chance you won’t get a good reference from him now or any time in the future.

You should expect your employer to ask why you’re resigning from your post as a heavy truck mechanic. It may be tempting to launch into a lengthy speech that includes everything you’ve found a problem with in the past but this really isn’t a good idea. No employee yet has ever managed to cause significant changes within an organization because of his angry resignation speech. The only thing that will happen is the company calling your professionalism into question. As far as your boss is concerned, nothing is wrong with your job or the company, you have simply been offered a new job that you will not turn down.

Other members of staff will also be curious as to why you are resigning and they’re bound to ask questions. Don’t be tempted to launch into an attack on the company or the bosses. Keep it simple and tell them the same as you told management in your resignation meeting. Anything else will undoubtedly make its way back to your employers and give them a bad impression of your honesty and intentions.

Last of all, it’s vital to carry out your normal duties to the best of your abilities during your notice period and remain professional throughout. Don’t let yourself become uninterested in your day-to-day tasks or consider them unimportant now that you’re leaving. Treat your job just as you would always have done and put in the effort right until the moment you leave. You won’t regret it.

By following the advice given above, you will resign from your job as a heavy truck mechanic without destroying your reputation and with your professional character intact. Never underestimate just how important it is to remain polite, calm and above all, in control throughout your resignation meeting and notice period.