I want to quit

Podcast 027: I want to quit

I want to quit

In this episode of the Ultimate Youth Worker Podcast ‘I want to quit’ Aaron speaks to us about how to resign from a youth work position well. Regularly at Ultimate Youth Worker we speak with people who are ready to move on from the position they are in. It may be that they are moving on to greener pastures and with the blessing of their manager or it may be that they hate where they work and already have a foot out the door. All of these people get a conversation about how to resign well and now we will give you that information too.


In testing times people have one of two ideas about their job. They either dig in and stick it out or they throw in the towel and say ‘I want to quit’. We are currently in testing times with the corona virus spread throughout the world and we know that there are youth workers who are ready to quit. When there is an economic downturn we see people hold on to their jobs tightly. When there is an upturn we see people move on. So how do we resign well? There are three stages…

  • Prepare to resign
  • Resign
  • Act professionally in the interim

Prepare to resign

  • The process will take 6 weeks!
  • Have 6 weeks cash in the bank
  • Make sure you have the other job first
  • Assume you will be shown the door straight away
  • Prepare a transition file
  • Make a bunch of lunch appointments
  • TELL NO ONE!!!

Resign (don’t quit)

  • Don’t resign in writing
  • Do it privately and with your boss
  • Never resign in anger
  • Say nothing negative…EVER
  • Say it the right way (don’t say ‘I want to quit’
  • You don’t have to answer any questions
  • Be ready to leave immediately
  • Take your transition file with you
  • TELL NO ONE!!!

Act professionally in the interim

  • Expect a counter offer
  • Expect to become disenfranchised and ostracised
  • Expect to work hard during this period
  • You should go home on time too
  • Do not say anything during your exit interview
  • Solidify your network

Today’s resources

Here are links to some articles and training that have bearing on todays podcast.

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Before you go…

Aaron Garth

Aaron Garth

Aaron Garth is a Melbourne-based youth worker, social worker, and mental health practitioner with over two decades of experience supporting young people across Australia. As Executive Director of Ultimate Youth Worker, he leads a team dedicated to training, coaching, and developing professionals in the youth sector. A graduate of RMIT University and current PhD candidate, Aaron has worked across some of the most challenging areas of youth services — from homelessness and mental health to drug and alcohol outreach and residential care. He is a sought-after speaker, educator, and advocate for a more professionalised youth workforce, and has taught at institutions including RMIT, Chisholm Institute, and Eastern College Australia. Aaron's work is driven by a simple belief: when youth workers are better supported, young people get better outcomes.

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