"Take This Job and Shove It" is a Country Song NOT a Best Practice
- Henry Jackson Brown, Jr.
It can be simple to decide to leave a company at times. However, leaving your current employer in the best possible way is one of the most crucial decisions you will ever make for your career. Every company has its share of virtues and faults, just like any other relationship. People often concentrate on the negative aspects of a relationship when it ends.
BREAKUPS ARE HARD TO DO.
It's similar to breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend when you quit a company. Emotions will remain no matter how you handle them. Deeper feelings are experienced in relationships that last longer. Remember this while you are apart. PersonsThey will express their emotions in a variety of ways, so be ready to react compassionately.
WORLD IS SMALL.
Having burned bridges before, I know this firsthand. Not even two years after I left the company did my former boss hire me back. He had moved on to a more senior role at another organization and considered me for a job opening in his division. Our relationship was already excellent, so the interview process was quick and easy. In addition, the position represented a big financial and professional advancement for me.
ACT OR DO NOT ACT?
To help everyone have a little easier transition, here are some dos and don'ts.
DO draft and deliver a brief letter of resignation to your direct supervisor and, if applicable, your director of human resources. Your intention to leave the company is memorialized by putting a few important points in writing. You can also role-play the conversation you had with your boss beforehand. Your last day of employment, any outstanding tasks you have to finish before leaving, and any work you will need to delegate to someone else should all be included in the letter.
DON'T make any disparaging remarks about the business or any employees. Although it is a good idea to follow this policy at all times, it is especially important when you are departing. During this time, disgruntled workers might come to you to express their bad feelings about the company. or employees of the business. Avoid giving in to the urge to engage in these discussions. Other people will likely see your comments.
DO provide as much notice as you can to ensure a seamless transition. This usually takes two to four weeks. Consider what's best for the company when using your best judgment to determine how long you will need to give. It's also possible that the company will ask you to quit right away, so be prepared for that possibility—especially if you plan to work for a rival. This isn't personal in any way, so don't take it personally.
WORK HARD till you're done. Experiencing "short-timer's disease" is entirely normal since your mind has already shifted to the new role. When talking about films, novels, or romantic relationships, people tend to recall the start and finish of things better than the middle.
NEVER take anything that doesn't belong to you. Paperclips, staplers, company books, copy paper, and other items should all be left behind. Tidy up a little while you're at it.
DO offer to be your replacement's resource. Offer to train your replacement if the company decides to hire them before you leave. Leaving a contact phone number with times that are suitable for calls is a smart idea, even after you have left.
Don't misuse the phone, the internet, or email in your final moments. Make sure you continue to communicate professionally as you have throughout your employment.
There the reason why, after it's over, you still can't be friends. It will pay off greatly if you take care to uphold a positive reputation with the business, its suppliers, customers, and employees. Though it might not occur immediately, paths will eventually cross once more.
