[IL Davey]

I am working at a fortune 500 company but got offered a job at a BIG 4 accounting firm and decided to switch. I like my job and the people I work with but I am nervous about the wave of questions I will get about why I am quitting. Any suggestions on what to say both to my boss and to the 40 other people who will certainly come by my desk one-by-one to ask why I’m quitting???

Thanks.

done!

[potatogun]

Are you giving 2 weeks notice? People understand you moving on to new opportunities. But be upfront and don't surprise them by just leaving. If you had good professional relationships it will help you in the future and no one will hold leaving against you. Your business network will help you at a big4 as well.

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

[IL Davey]

Yes, I am giving two weeks. I guess I am wondering if I should be very specific and say I am quitting to go work at Big 4 “X” or if I should be more general and talk about another “opportunity” or a job in “public accounting.”

done!

[Trevor]

I would say that an opportunity came up in public accounting. I recently just changed jobs (went public to private…), I am young and had the same question as you. If they respect you it will not be as big of a deal as you make it in your head. I basically said that I had an opportunity elsewhere and decided to give it a shot, they (partners) asked was it the money, is it a competitor. And I said no, the main reason is that I am only 22 and not sure what I want to do with the rest of my life, but right now I am not sure public accounting is where I want to be. They did then ask the name of the company as it was not a competitor and I told them. They both agreed that it was a good oportunity, and said they will miss my hard work and willingness to learn. They then ended with, I would always have a place back in their firm if it doesnt work out… Hope this helps!

BEC: 73,81(7/6/2010); AUD: 75(5/24/2010); FAR: 76(8/31/2010); REG: 77 (10/18/2010) - DONE!!!!

[Anonymous]

general keywords (like new challenge at big 4) are fair enough. i went through the same situation (however, the other way round:-) and no one blamed me for not beeing more specific. nevertheless, in order to ensure a happy end i would highly recommend to:

– try to accomplish all outstanding tasks first,

– perform until the very last second professional (you always meet twice in life),

– and to make things as easy as possible for them (e.g. offer help in regard to training your successor).

anyhow, good luck with everything!

[vukz]

I actually just quit my current position last week….basically said thank you for the opportunity that they gave me but the new position is more inline with my career asprirations….and how it is a new and challenging opportunity…..no one can be pissed for moving positions because chances are everyone you work with has done it themselves…again just dont screw off for your two weeks and you will have no problems

FAR (75)
AUD (76)
BEC (75)
REG (72), (80)

[Anonymous]

IL Davey – I think the comments already presented are appropriate. Just curious did people know you were looking at other opportunities. If so then it should be no big deal. However, if you do get a negative comment, I would not entertain their conversation, I would say something like “I believe this is more inline with my career goals” or “I think this opportunity will broaden my knowledge and make me more marketable in this tough economy”. Spin your response on you and not on the person's negative comment. I think most people in this industry understands, but the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence if you know what I mean.

I work in a huge government building (4-5K employees) and I most definitely need to watch out how I leave one job for another. People can and do hold grudges in my building. Never burn a bridge because you may never know when you might need to cross it in the future. Be honest, people can respect honesty even if they feel you are misguided.

Congrats on the job, best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Congratulations!!

[Author]

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