How to gracefully leave a job

[blindfold]

I've always dreamed of becoming a police officer, and I'm in the last stages of the recruitment process now and it's looking like I'm going to be successful.

A few months ago I took a part- time job after being unemployed, to pay the bills and keep me busy until hopefully I can join the Police. I am way overqualified for this part time job.

 

I learned that the Police can contact your current employer after I pass the next stage, but it may still be months (up to 3 months) until I start working for the Police so I would like to stil be with my current employer during that time. Everyone treats me really well and they seem keen for me to stay and to give me a full time job in the future so it's hard for me to smile and say I'd love to continue with the company for the foreseeable future when I know that's not true and that as early as next month the Police may contact them for a reference. But I would also like to keep this job until I start training.

 

What would you do? Advice welcome, thank you!

[junebug123]

I would just stay and keep working until the police force contacts you.

 

I have found that rarely have I ever been in the situation to stick it out with a job that I've lost interest in. But it seems like you have no intent to do another job and are not sure when they will contact you (3 months) is a long time.

[blindfold]

Thanks. I would like to stay on, but the Police can contact my employer for a reference as soon as next month. So my current employer will suspect (if not know) that I'm applying for the Police and am about to be successful. I don't want them to not know they could be contacted but I also don't want to leave. On my employer's part. I don't think there's much incentive to keep me on if they know I'll leave in 3 months. On the other hand, this is a job where they're always looking for people, so they might still accept to employ me while they can have me.

 

Any thoughts or advice?

[Billie28]

Stop thinking you are so special. You are in a job with a high turnover of staff. They won't miss you. Sorry but that's the bottom line. You are clearly in a job that anyone and everyone can do. You consider yourself over qualified. Your boss couldn't care less if you leave except for the headache of interviewing again.

 

They won't even remember you when you are in the police force.

 

Relax!

[notalady]

Depending on what the call for reference entails, you may actually want to give your employer a heads up. You don't want them to be surprised with a call for reference.

 

I suggest being honest and say that you appreciate they want you to stay on full time and you've really enjoyed working with them, but you would like to pursue your passion which is a career in the police force. Mention that you would like to stay on until you are accepted in the police, ask if that suits them. Since you're only working casually anyway, I doubt they're going to discontinue your work right away, especially when you say they are all nice to you and you have a good relationship with them.

 

I've never, ever, met one employer who hold a grudge or deliberately make things difficult for an employee who wants to move on. Employers understand that people pursue their careers and will likely move on at some point. What they may not so happy about is... not enough notice. No heads up, which leaves them in the cold, with no one to cover your job when you suddenly leave. Or worse yet, if you mislead them into thinking you're in for the long haul when you're actually looking elsewhere.

[Coily]

Agreed with Notalady.

 

You need to be up front with your current employer about this, for the reasons stated above and that your future with the police force could be shakey if during the reference check your current employer is blind sided. Your character and honesty could get flagged is it's out of the clear blue sky.

 

Delacrank, friends of mine in various police forces tend to go through that length of 3 months pre-academy process; background checks, interviews, etc. Mostly to weed out people since there are usually a small pool of jobs available.

[Wiseman2]

It's pretty standard to resign in writing with a well written letter and adequate notice. In that letter state why you are resigning (to pursue training) and the date you are leaving. State that you enjoyed your time working there and your fellow coworkers..

 

Do not say anything via gossip or write anything before you can confirm a leave date.

Police may contact them for a reference. But I would also like to keep this job until I start training.

[j.man]

I remember when I was joining the Army, I eventually told my employer my intention and assured them they'd have at least two weeks notice once I had a confirmed ship date. It was fine. As Billie put it a bit more bluntly than I would have, they expect the turnover from anyone, much less someone who's "overqualified."

 

Especially considering you're entering a public service, I wouldn't worry about them being upset or you burning any bridges.

[mcolli]

Be upfront. Let your current employer know that there are no hard feelings but that you've landed, or in the process of landing, your dream job. If their not jerks, they'll understand. Especially if you're overqualified

 

Also, it's not like your going to a competitor or something

[catfeeder]

Most employers of part time employees are pretty well accustomed to talented people using those jobs as pass-throughs to something else. It's part time, not a career.

 

I'd tell employer that you've applied for a police program, but don't give details other than that these things 'take time' and your schedule won't be impacted in the immediate future. Otherwise, stay vague--you've said all that's necessary, other than asking employer if you can use him/her as a reference should the police want one from you in the future.

 

If employer is not professional enough to refrain from making you feel badly about this choice, then employer is not professional enough to want to keep as a full-time future employer.

 

Head high--and be careful out there. : )