No matter if you have been at your job for 6 months or 10 years, eventually there comes a time when you’ll need to resign. How to know when is the right time to leave your job is a topic for another blog entry.
Whether you are leaving to move up the career ladder, pursue a new career direction, go back to school, start your own business, or take care of family for while, there are certain actions you should take in order to leave your current position and not burn any bridges.
Prepare a resignation letter
In order to formalize your resignation, you’ll want to put it in writing. In fact, most companies require it. The letter does not have to be long, but should thank your manager for the experience and give the date of your last day of employment. You do not have to state why you’re leaving, or where you’re going unless you want to. It is customary to give a minimum of two weeks, but if you can afford more, do it, as your employer will be grateful. Also, if possible, resign, in person. Schedule a meeting with your manager early in the day, so they have some time to react.
Tell your co-workers
During the meeting with your manager you can discuss the best time to share your news with the rest of your team. Some managers may choose to call a quick meeting with staff. Others will just have you tell people individually. This will ease your teammates’ anxiety about taking on additional work while they look for a replacement.
Create a transition plan
Make a list of all the projects you are currently working on in addition to your day-to-day activities. Then prioritize your projects—if there anything you know you can complete before you go, do that first. For other projects, note the status and next steps that need to be taken. For your daily tasks, document what you do and how you do it, so it’s easy for someone to step in after you leave.
Don’t check out before your last day
This is probably the toughest thing of all, as it’s easy to just think “This job won’t matter anymore in two weeks so why should I care.” Instead think “How can I leave the best impression with my manager and team.” You never know when you may need them down the road.
Stay connected
Even if you hated your job, there are probably people you worked with that you did like. If you’re not already connected on LinkedIn, reach out and connect. This is also a great opportunity to get referrals. Start by referring your colleagues and then ask them to return the favor.
Have you recently left a job? What did you do to exit gracefully? Tell us in the comments below.
photo credit: markhillary via photopin cc
