Maybe there’s no clear path of progression at your current job. Perhaps, you’re planning to relocate, or you just landed a web design job you can’t pass up. Regardless of your reason for leaving your current job, quitting is never easy. You’ll likely have a lot of loose ends to tie up and a slew of coworkers and clients to inform before your departure. Follow this guide on how to quit your job gracefully.
Notify your boss appropriately
Standard notice is two weeks, but it could help your team and show your boss extra respect if you offer even more time to prepare, noted Forbes. Be prepared for your manager to expedite your exit, as it’s some companies’ policy to escort employees out the door as quickly as possible for the sake of security. If you need examples of projects and other materials from your work computer, make sure to download them before you meet with your boss. While it’s never easy to tell a manager you’re leaving, it’s important to keep your approach direct and professional. Thank him or her for all of the experience you received in your position, and add that you’d like to stay connected. If you worked well together, you both could serve as each other’s resources for future opportunities.
Help find the new you
Aside from losing great talent, your boss also has to cope with the struggles of finding a replacement who can get up to speed quickly. Fox News explained that it would greatly benefit him or her and the team if you helped with the process. Not only are you the best source for identifying the skills needed for your role, but you could also help train the new employee if he or she is hired before you leave, which is the ideal situation for employers. After giving your notice, ask your boss for the approval to start contacting marketing recruiters or professionals in your network to fill your spot. Chances are he or she will be very appreciative of your assistance.
Tell your coworkers
It could rub people the wrong way if they hear of your departure through the grapevine – especially if you worked closely together. Fox News recommended telling a handful of your most influential colleagues before they learn of it elsewhere to show respect to coworkers who have helped you in your career. Also, no matter how excited you are to be leaving, always keep the exchange professional. Stay away from either extreme of emotion. Too much negativity and excessive gloating are sure ways of creating enemies. You should inform your colleagues the same way you told your boss: with respect and gratitude.
Keep communication open
Whether you were at your company for a few months or several years, you probably built some great working relationships and friendships, and should treat them with respect. Plus, you never know when you’ll need your coworkers in the future. Forbes explained that it’s common to send a goodbye note to all of your coworkers and include some sort of contact information to encourage them to reach out. Being easily accessible is essential to leaving on good terms. Include an email address or link to a social media account if you don’t feel comfortable telling everyone your personal phone number.
Stay positive
There’s no reason to hold onto any negativity on your way out. If anyone, including a future employer, asks what caused you to leave, always keep it positive, advised U.S. News & World Report. Be sure to regard your manager highly, even if he or she had flaws that pushed you to search for a new position. Throwing people under the bus will only make you look bad and lead hiring managers to wonder what you could have done to cause the animosity.
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