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I've been asked to resign and leave, what to do and how do I tell my team?

Due to various minor conflicts my manager has asked me to resign. Its a situation in which I'm really not a great fit for the team rather than any specific cause for termination. Because of that he gave me a few months to look for another job. Now I'm coming up with two weeks left on the job and I'm ready to let my team know that I'm leaving. But I haven't lined another job up yet. So I'm unsure how to announce my resignation without indicating that I've been terminated and in a way that will keep coworkers from asking about my next gig (since I don't have one). I want to keep the level of awkward at a bare minimum. In the end, I have already handed in my resignation, so the topic of whether to resign or wait until they fire me is moot.

My question is therefore, what are some great ways to communicate to coworkers that I’m moving on without indicating it was an involuntary termination and that I’ve yet to secure another job?

My goal is to reduce awkwardness as much as possible.

EDIT: I sent the following email to my team yesterday afternoon

Good afternoon Team,

I wanted to let you know first that my last day at [business] will be on the [day]. I sincerely appreciate having had the opportunity to work with you all. I’ve learned so much from each of you. Even so I am looking forward to the new challenges my next position will bring. [My Boss] will be making the announcement to the full department tomorrow. I’ll be sure to send out my final farewell later later on with my contact information and linked-in profile.

Best Wishes,

[My Name]

When they ask, I'm considering saying something like "Ill let everyone know [where I'm going] in my final farewell letter". Hopefully I'll actually have an an offer by then.

Answer

Old thread, but an important one, and I wanted to focus on the actual message.

Given that, as the question stated, it's a done deal, my route would be to send an email to the team something like this:

> Looking back over the last xx months, I came to realize that I was not a good fit for this (team/environment/company; no need to say why).  I've discussed it with (my manager), and decided that it was time to move on.
>
> I'm actively looking for a position as X (describe what you are looking FOR, not something you are trying to avoid), and would appreciate any contacts you can suggest.
>
> I've (enjoyed/learned a lot/whatever positive aspect you can name) working with you all.  Please feel free to (contact me/LinkedIn/Facebook/etc.)
>
> Cheers,

This keeps all relationships cordial, doesn't place blame on your manager or company (whether any is deserved or not is immaterial), indicates your desire to network, and doesn't involve any nasty little details.  The fact that you didn't provide more info should be taken as a sign that you don't want to offer any more.  If there is a co-worker that you are close to, you can go in to more privately, but remember never to burn any bridges.

Also remember that there are recommendations to be had, both from the manager and coworkers.  It's possible that you could still get a recommendation from your manager even though you were pushed out, especially if they feel bad (but the time to ask is when you are terminated, not later, and try to get a written letter).  If it was simply a bad fit, they can always praise those skills that you did have, and not go into the areas of shortcomings; also, THEY don't want to burn any bridges, since any of you might cross paths in the future.

Edit Summary

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7

Re "old thread": This question's only a few hours old, and questions on Stack Exchange are treated timelessly anyway (there's even a necromancer badge).
– doppelgreener
Commented Jun 14, 2018 at 23:47
8

10 hours is not that old...
– Salvador Dali
Commented Jun 14, 2018 at 23:57
This is a fantastic answer! This should be the "accepted" answer, in my opinion!
– Eliza
Commented Jun 17, 2018 at 14:08

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