Let’s say you’ve decided it’s time to move on. It is more than just having a bad day at work; you’ve given it time, but the situation isn’t improving. You and your boss don’t see eye to eye, the culture of your organization grates against your values or the company is going downhill. Whatever the reason, even if you’ve gotten to a point where you are angry and extremely frustrated, you know you need to exit professionally so as not to burn a bridge.
[See: The 8 Best Jobs for Work-Life Balance.]
Take heart that although you don’t want to look like a job hopper and have a spotty resume, currently the typical worker stays in their position for an average of 4.2 years according to the U.S. Department of Labor — not very long. So even if you do enjoy your job, you will probably face the issue of how to exit gracefully several times in your career. There are many ways you can make your last days at your job go as smoothly as possible.
Give notice as soon as you can. Carefully consider when to give notice, and how much notice to give, based on your situation. The higher up you are, the longer it will take to wrap things up and remove yourself from your position, so consider a longer lead time in those cases, as well.
Once you have secured your next job, let the right people know, in the right way, at the right time. Let your direct boss know that you will be leaving before you post it on LinkedIn, or before telling anyone else, for example. Tell your boss in person, not via email or text. And not right after a tense meeting or at an office happy hour. Find out how they want you to handle letting clients or anyone else know, for a smooth transition. Make a plan leaving the details up to your supervisor because it’s now up to them.
[See: 10 Reasons to Quit Your Job Already.]
We all know it is customary to give two weeks’ notice, but consider whether you want to be, or can be, flexible to stay on a bit longer. Do you want to offer to train your replacement, help choose candidates or close out a big project before you leave? Making the transition smooth for your soon-to-be-former boss will work to your advantage in the long run, beyond just having a reference from them. Even if you can’t stand your job, you never know when your paths may cross again. Maintaining that relationship could help you land a new client later on, or ensure you continue to have a positive reputation in your industry, for example.
Know that in many cases, you may feel pressured to stay, from your own sense of obligation, responsibility or guilt. And even your employer may try to convince you to stay. Be prepared for that in advance. If you know that the best decision for you is to leave, don’t cave in to the pressure. Decide what you will say to those voices inside your head, but also to your boss or peers if they try to convince you. Be kind, but firm about your choice. Make it clear that this is something that you have given a lot of thought and is the best decision for you and your family. Repeat your reasons if needed, but don’t be long-winded. Keep it short and sweet. Practice it in front of the mirror or with friends so you check how you are coming across.
Don’t use this opportunity to air out dirty laundry, or bring up issues that made you decide to leave. If you have already decided that there are irreconcilable differences with your current job and your happiness, there is no point in hashing it out. Leave things on a good note as much as possible with everyone. Of course in some cases, it does make sense to mention some of the more touchy reasons you are leaving. Some of these cases would include verbal or emotional abuse, unethical behavior or any other issue that should be brought to the attention of human resources. Pick your battles, decide what makes sense to bring up versus let go. But if there is an issue worth mentioning, talk to human resources about how to handle that in advance of any exit interview you may have. Again, go in prepared and make sure you provide a formal resignation letter for HR to have on file.
[See: How to Follow Up on a Job Application Without Being Annoying.]
You should also communicate with your team and department that you will be leaving. If appropriate, let them know where you will be working and in what position. They will find out on LinkedIn and through other channels anyway, and it’s better for them to hear it from you because you can control the message — the reasons you are leaving — rather than rumors flying around. Decide who you would like to keep in touch with, and why. Let them know that this will not change your friendship (if appropriate) or working relationship. If you had a habit of hanging out with some of your co-workers, that doesn’t have to change — unless of course you have taken a job in a different location or at a competitor. If you are moving far away, stay in touch on LinkedIn or through email or phone depending on how close the relationship is and how you would like to maintain it; keep the friendship, it can serve you both well. Keep your news on a positive note, and resist the urge to trash talk the company. You’re leaving, but they are not.
In summary, consider carefully when to give notice, how much notice to give, whom to tell first, how to tell them and when is best to do so in order to control the message and prevent gossip. Don’t just launch into it. Practice your exit “speech,” keeping it short and sweet. If you have a bone to pick, err on the side of leaving it alone unless it’s something unethical or abusive. Pick your battles.
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How to Leave Your Job Gracefully originally appeared on usnews.com
