The day has finally come: your two-week notice period has expired, and you’re ready to walk out the door of your current workplace for the last time. Whether you’re genuinely upset to be leaving this work or have been counting down the minutes till you go.
For the vast majority of people, quitting will not be an immediate decision that will result in them leaving their workplace. (Regardless of how appealing the notion may be.) Instead, the process normally starts with you deciding that you want to quit your current job and then devising a strategy to make that happen.
If you’ve been unhappy at your current workplace and are ready to leave, keep in mind that how you leave might either assist or damage your future career options.
Here’s how to leave your workplace on a high
1. Begin by determining whether now is the appropriate time
Taking the time to examine why, when, and how you should leave your work will help you make the right decision, find new opportunities, and gracefully exit your current position. Even if you’re frustrated, think about the advantages and disadvantages of leaving your job. If you’re unsatisfied with your responsibilities or overwhelmed by your workload, talk to your immediate supervisor to see if they can help.
If you’re actively searching for a new job, it could be better to hold off on resigning from your current work until you’ve officially accepted another offer. Otherwise, you risk having an unforeseen employment gap, which could have a negative impact on your finances, insurance, and other benefits.
Once you’ve made the decision to retire, make the dialogue civil and professional. Employers understand that employees may want to pursue new chances from time to time, and by acting professionally, you can stay on good terms and retain a connection that could lead to future opportunities.
2. Resign in person
When it comes to breaking news, there are three crucial guidelines to follow:
i. Without initially informing your direct supervisor, don’t tell anyone else at the company.
ii. Don’t leave it till the last possible moment. At the very least, commit to a two-week notice period.
iii. Always meet in person and keep the dialogue as private as possible when resigning. Schedule a video or phone call if you work remotely.
(The worst thing an employee can do is walk away from their work and not be heard from again.) It’s an unusual occurrence, but we’ve seen it happen before — and believe us when we say it’ll ruin your reputation.)
3. Give reasons for your departure
While you are not compelled to explain why you are leaving a position, it can be beneficial for your supervisor and other management employees to know. A conversation with your HR manager is the best method to achieve this. In some situations, an HR professional will set up an exit interview with you to ask about your time with the firm and what caused your choice to leave, as well as provide input on company policy, culture, and benefits.
Prepare what you’ll say in this meeting ahead of time so you can provide helpful comments. Remember that the idea is to keep great connections with past employers, so be honest while remaining professional.
Even if your HR department does not plan an exit interview, you should try contacting a member of the team to address any comments you may have and your reasons for leaving. If you’ve decided to quit because of a disagreement with a specific employee, HR can help you resolve the situation.
4. Take the high road instead
Take the high road and make the conversation with your supervisor positive if you had a good time with the organization. Even if you had a bad experience at the workplace, you should maintain your dignity.
Don’t add to the conversation’s complexity. “Mary, this is very difficult for me, but I’ve chosen to take a new position at…” is a straightforward way to begin.
Then tell them what you liked best about working there, what you learned, how it will prepare you for your new career, and why you’re looking forward to the move. More importantly, thank them for everything they’ve done to help you succeed.
5. At least two weeks’ notice is required
The standard amount of notice to give an employer before leaving is two weeks. If you’ve signed an employment contract, though, make sure you’re following any notice requirements.
You may be willing to remain longer than the standard two weeks, depending on your availability—especially if your new job doesn’t start for several weeks or you’re transitioning to self-employment. Whatever length of notice you give, make sure you notify your employer as soon as possible and include this information in your resignation letter.
6. Get rid of the extended goodbyes
Don’t be the person who sends an email to a hundred of their “closest colleagues” on a Friday afternoon, saying, “I’d like to thank everyone.” After today, I won’t be able to view this email…”
Send a message with your contact information to anyone you’ve formed close contacts with at the company. Also, before you go, remember to say your goodbyes to your boss in person. They’ll be grateful for the gesture.
Finally, maintain contact with your coworkers and advisors. After all, you’ve spent every day at work with them for hours. Why chuck everything away?
You never know, they could come in handy as a reference or lead to greater and better possibilities in the future.