My chapter here at Ask, or IAC Search & Media is ending. I gave my resignation letter yesterday. I had a few talks today but they not resulted in me staying here, not that I would have anyway.
Yesterday was a very stressful day for me. I got the e version of the offer letter. I decided that it is best for me to resign yesterday since I wanted to take some days off. I waited till 5:30 and I sent him an email that I want to talk to him in private. He came to me around 6PM. We went into the room. I had hard time talking. So I gave him my letter and told him I resign. He looked at the letter and said OK. He then asked me to email this letter to Tricia. I expected that he is at least going to ask me why. He did not. So I said, thanks and I walked out of the room. Weird.
In the morning, I got a call from Eric. He asked me where I’m going. Then he asked me why? You don’t like the work here? You don’t like the environment. I let it all out. I told him that I lost a lot of energy by being on the search project. I told him that the environment is not great. He pulled on my tongue a little. But he was relaxed and I was relaxed as well. I was just saying what I think. I told him there is no bound in the group. A lunch suggestion, where Chris had indicated that they have no money in the budget, he said “that’s bull shit.” I also told him that Etienne would be a better manager. He said, oh really. I told him how we don’t have a voice, etc. It was a very productive talk. I should not have said everything, but on the other hand, I did lie. I cannot lie, actually, and I don’t want to lie. I had a sense that he wanted to keep me there. Would that be a good move, no?
In the afternoon, Chris invited me for a chat. He asked me where I’m going. He asked me why I’m leaving. I told him that my energy level has gone down way down. He said that I did not assert myself on one of the previous project. I said that I had my piece and it’s a team work. He agreed. I explained how he shut down several of my ideas.
There was one thing that he said is interesting and I might want to modify the way I do it in the future (hopefully not too soon). He said that he had been through a lot of resignations (not a good sign) and that my was a little different. I asked him why. He said that usually people say more things before they actually hand him the letter. I told him that it’s not easy for me to do it and I’m sure it’s not easy for him. But I expected at least that he’s going to ask why. I guess, in the future, I should first talk about it verbally and only at the end hand the manager the letter. Yes, that seems like more respect (though I don’t really see how).
In any case, MY TIME WITH ASK (yeah, right) IS OVER.