Plan a positive exit strategy
A little planning can go a long way towards making a good exit from your job, writes Dani Wright
The thought of leaving a job is exciting while you’re job hunting and no doubt you’ve practised telling your boss exactly what you think they can do with the job you dislike enough to be considering leaving it — something along the lines of, “So long, suckers!”
Strangely enough, the closer you get to having to say the words “I’m leaving”, the less likely you may be to want to rock the boat with brutal honesty about the company you’re leaving, or your manager’s shortcomings, or the fact your coworkers have driven you mad for years.
Instead, you’ll probably be more concerned about biting your tongue long enough not to burn any bridges.
Salt HR global director Jacqui Barratt agrees that it’s better to make a positive and professional exit.
“Whatever reason you have chosen to exit your current company, it’s a small world and one day you may want to go back or your manager or colleagues may end up in another company you apply to one day,” says Ms Barratt.
“A positive exit ensures the door remains open and it will be what people remember you by.”
Her advice includes telling your manager first, not your best friend in the office, or anyone else, because: “It’s simply the right thing to do and shows your level of professionalism.”
Setting up a time to talk to your manager is better than blurting it out in the middle of your weekly catchup meeting.
It’s also important to be brave and tell your manager face-to-face that you’re leaving, with a written resignation letter to hand over.
It helps to think of how you would want someone to let you know and treat your boss with the same courtesy, even if they don’t deserve it — you’re leaving for better things, so
can afford to take the high ground.
In the resignation letter, you don’t need to go into too many details about the reasons you’re leaving or be overly critical. It would be better to mention the positive things your job with the company has given you and end on a positive note.
At the end of the letter, offer to help with the transition and open the dialogue about what they need in terms of handover notes or processes. You might even be able to let them know someone in the company you think might be a good fit for the job, or offer to connect them with someone you know who may be interested in the role — they will appreciate the gesture.
Possibly more important than the resignation letter to your manager can be navigating close colleagues, who may feel betrayed or upset that you’re leaving them behind, especially your direct reports.
Make sure you connect on LinkedIn or swap personal contact details and mention successful projects you’ve worked on together.
Don’t go into too many details criticising the workplace they are still in, or mention the oodles more money you’ll be making. Keep it lowkey as opposed to rubbing their faces in your good fortune.
And for co-workers who have
been supportive, don’t just send them a group email telling them you’re leaving, make sure you contact them personally, so they feel included.
If you’ve been fired, you can still contact those you were close to and offer them an explanation or just to thank them for what they have done for you when working together.
Although you may have done something wrong, they will still feel a loss if you worked closely together and got on well.
They may also be the ones to think of you for passing on a work opportunity, so it’s important to keep doors open even if you’ve made a mistake at work.
It’s more likely they will see the full picture of your work contribution, rather than a new contact who just sees that you’ve been laid off.
As you contemplate the next phase of your career, remember that you’re still being paid by your old employer and don’t slack off in those last few weeks. “Your heart and mind may already be in your new job, but you are still getting paid and one day may even want a reference from your current manager,” says Barratt, “so deliver what’s expected — now is not the time to take a back seat or come in late and head off early.”
On the last day, it could be a nice gesture to leave a gift of chocolates or something thoughtful for your coworkers and boss to share when you go, so they’ll have something sweet to remember you by before you head off into a better future.
A positive exit ensures the door remains open and it will be what people remember you by. Salt HR global director Jacqui Barratt