The Best Way to Quit Your Job

“Don’t Let Your Future Be Lit by the Fires of the Bridges You’ve Burned Behind You”

Why You Want to Consider the Best Way to Quit Your Job:

• You may want to “Boomerang”.  Many people have left their employer only to return a short time later because things didn’t work out.  If you don’t consider the best way to quit your job, you potentially close a door in the future.
• You may need a reference.  If you consider the best way to quit your job, and do it well, you can call upon that employer for a reference in the future.  You may not think you need it now, but eventually you might.
• You don’t know else might leave the organization.  One of your current peers, or perhaps a supervisor could change companies and be your boss one day.  If you don’t consider the best way to quit your job, you will leave a sour taste in everyone’s mouth that will not serve you well in the future.

The Best Way to Quit Your Job — Before You Quit

• Plan a communications strategy.  It is critical you manage how the news of your departure will permeate the organization.  Some people you will want to tell in person.  Always consider the impact of your departure on others:
  • Your boss
  • Your peers
  • Your mentor, someone you might have a special relationship with.
  • Prepare your “story” and stick to it.  You cannot tell your boss you are leaving for a better opportunity, and tell everyone else you’re leaving because you hate your boss.  You need to pick a story, and stick to it.
  • Manage the grapevine.  The best way to quit your job is to control as much of the grapevine as you can.  Do not leak information to anyone in advance, and proactively manage how the news is distributed.
  • Give appropriate notice.  Often two weeks is not enough time for an employer to replace you and transition your work.  You need to ensure you have provided enough notice to minimize the hardship for your organization and your peers.
  • Prepare for the possibility of a counter-offer.  The organization may provide you with an opportunity that tempts you to stay.  If you’ve already accepted a position with another company, it makes any counter-offer complicated.  Make sure you have considered this possibility in advance.

The Best Way to Quit Your Job — Doing the Deed

• Plan what you’re going to say, and keep it short.  You should not defend or over-explain you reasons for leaving.  Simply tell the recipient of the news that you intend to leave on a certain date for a simple reason.
• It is not a forum to air your grievances.  The best way to quit your job is to say positive and supporting things during the meeting.  Any disagreements or problems you had with your boss or your employer are no longer relevant once you choose to submit your notice.
• Be prepared to be escorted off site.  Some employers will require you to leave site immediately upon the submission of your notice.  Do not take it personally, and be prepared in advance:
  • Remove your personal effects prior to submitting your notice.  This may be tricky to do without revealing your intent.
  • Back up your contacts, or other information you want in advance of the meeting.  You may not have computer access after you have submit your notice.

The Best Way to Quit Your Job — During the Transition Period

• Try to close out your work without creating a problem for others.
• Keep any negativity in check.  You will be leaving shortly – there is no advantage to badmouthing the employer, or embellishing your reasons for leaving with your peers.
• Collect future references.  You never know when you will need a reference from a former boss or a peer.  Cultivating these references during the transitionary period will serve you well.
• You may want to consider a personal note to important peers, or perhaps a former boss.
• Treat exit interviews with care.  You must assume that everything you say in an exit interview will be revealed to any targets of your criticism.  No promise of confidentiality should be entirely believed.

The Best Way to Quit Your Job — After Quitting

• Cultivate alumni relationships.  Make the attempt to keep up with people from your former employer.  This will serve you well professionally and personally.
• Maintain networks where you can.  Networks are powerful things, and may new employment opportunities do not work out – in which case, you will be tapping into you network again quickly.
• Don’t bad-mouth the employer.  You must assume that your comments will always get back, and as such, your mother was right:  “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
• Be available for an occasional question from your replacement.  You can elevate your credibility considerably by being available to the organization, and specifically for your replacement to follow up on some of your previous work.

3 Things to Remember About The Best Way To Quit Your Job:

1. You need to have a well thought-out plan.  You don’t want to improvise this important part of career management.
2. It is in your best interest to leave “well”.  You never know when you will run across people again, and you want them to speak well of you.
3. Stick to your story.  You need to have a departure “script”, and stick to that script regardless of who you are speaking with.

Watch the ‘3-Minute Crash Course’ about The Best Way to Quit Your Job (CLICK THE ARROW TO START THE VIDEO):

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