Leaving Your Mark
One part of the career exploration process we often don’t talk about enough is leaving a job, but it needs to be discussed. There are certainly right and wrong ways to go about leaving your current job. Whether you’re leaving because you found a better job, are going back to school, have health issues, or any variety of reasons, these tips will help you leave the workplace respectfully and professionally while setting yourself up for the future.
Tell your manager first
You don’t want word to get around the office that you are planning on leaving the company before you’ve had a chance to tell your boss, so it’s best to set up a meeting, in person, with your manager to inform them of your plans to leave. Make sure you tell your manager first, before the process becomes muddied with unnecessary drama.
Two weeks
If you can, try to give at least two weeks notice to your current place of work. Of course, there are some rare exceptions that may require you to leave immediately – such as unethical or illegal practices by the workplace, health issues, etc. – but for the most part, it is a professional courtesy let your manager know at least two weeks prior to you leaving. This allows your employer sufficient time to find your replacement. If your job requires special skills or lots of training, it may be better to give more than two weeks.
Don’t burn bridges
When leaving your job, be sure not to disrespect your boss or colleagues in the process. Later, you may be looking for another job or looking for advancement, and you never know who will be in charge and who knows who, and people talk; so you don’t want a bad reputation. The simplest way to avoid burning bridges would be to act professional and stay positive. Be sure to avoid doing anything unethical or illegal before leaving as well, such as altering the company’s database or stealing information from the company. Also, don’t brag about your new job. Even though you’re excited to start your job with a new company, you don’t want your current colleagues to feel bad.
Don’t have to disclose
It’s human nature to be curious and to ask questions to others when a big change is happening, including transitioning into a new career or job. So, the question of, “Where are you going?” might come up when talking to your manager or colleagues. Just know that you are not required to disclose to your employer where you are going or why you are leaving. Don’t feel obliged to discuss where you are going, unless of course it has a chance to conflict with a non-compete clause in a contract you’ve previously signed. If you are leaving for a job with a competing company, don’t be surprised if you are asked to leave the job immediately instead of in two weeks. Don’t take this as a sign of disrespect; this is just a company’s way of protecting their processes so they don’t get into the hands of competing businesses. So, before you meet with your manager to discuss your plans for leaving the company, it may be wise for you to clean up your computer and to email yourself important personal documents you might require for you employment portfolio.
Tie up loose ends
Before you leave for your new endeavor, make sure you wrap up projects you are currently working on. This will make the transition smoother for your company and for your successor. Also, by finishing strong, you will leave a lasting impression for your manager and colleagues, who may become references in the future.
While there are many things to consider when leaving a job, these basic tips should get you started on the etiquette of transitioning into another position.
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