Offers and Resignations - Wrapping it all up! Accepting a job offer today may require you to successfully negotiate salary, bonus, commission, stock options and more.

The average American has 10 jobs in his lifetime, chances are you'll have to submit resign letters at some point of your career.

However, resignation can be a sticky situation sometimes. Many employees are scared when it's time to say good bye and write a resignation letter.

Here are some general rules (do's and don'ts) about resigning from your job gracefully -- and carefully.

• Do know how to resign from your job gracefully and professionally.



• Do be prepared for some employers to overreact to your resignation; some employers immediately dismiss employees who resign.



• Do write a professional resignation letter or memo



• Do make a plan to keep in touch with key coworkers, friends, and mentors. Keep your network strong.



• Do the exit interview with your current employer, if required. But don't say anything negative about your supervisor or co-workers during the interviewer -- no matter how tempted you are.



• Don't get caught off-guard, so do prepare to resign by removing all personal items and files from your office and computer for those instances when your employer will ask you to leave as soon as you tender your resignation.



• Don't burn any bridges. Do leave on good terms with your co-workers and supervisors.



• Don't disappear during your last weeks on the job. Do stay a productive member of the team.



• Don't consider a counteroffer unless you are sure it's a better deal for you; studies show a high percentage of workers still leave the employer within a year of accepting a counteroffer, some being forced out.



• Don't feel as though you need to tell your current employer any reason for leaving your job, but do be polite in thanking the employer for the opportunity to work there.