Resignation 101: The Dos and Don’ts of Quitting Your Job
After the stressful process of looking for a new job while you’re still employed, you finally got an offer. At last, you’re free! You probably can’t wait to share your good fortune with the world and tell your boss where she can shove that evil assignment she gave you last week.
You might think that because you’re leaving, you don’t have to worry what people think of you anymore. This is not the case. Unless you want to erase everything you’ve accomplished since your first day on the job, your departure must be as strategic and deliberate as your arrival.
Don’t jump the gun
This starts with your resignation. Under no circumstances should you let on that you’re leaving before you have a signed agreement and official start date from your new employer.
If you blab to everyone and your job offer falls through, your best-case scenario is that you’ve got egg on your face. The worst-case scenario, of course, is that your boss is insulted enough to fire you.
Follow these drama-free departure musts
Here are some other suggestions to make a smooth exit:
- Tell your supervisor first. You want your boss to hear the news from you, not from someone else in your department.
- Give two weeks’ notice. Stay for the entire two weeks, unless your company requests that you leave sooner.
- Be modest. Don’t alienate your colleagues by bragging or chattering incessantly about your awesome new gig.
- Don’t insult anything or anyone. Whether it’s true or not, make a point to show your regret at leaving such wonderful people behind.
- Stay on top of your responsibilities. Remember you’re accountable for your work until 5 p.m. on your last day.
- Continue to adhere to office protocol. You worked hard for that professional persona, so leave them with the right impression.
- Review your employee handbook. Understand what benefits and compensation for unused sick or vacation days you’re entitled to.
- Organize your files. Make it easy for your colleagues to find materials so they can more easily transition your work and won’t need to call you at your new job.
- Train your replacement well. Your organization paid your salary for as long as you worked there, and you owe it to them to leave your job in good hands.
- Don’t take anything that doesn’t belong to you. This includes office supplies and any work product you did not personally develop.
Full story at Brazen Careerist.