Save the drama: No need to leave any job in a blaze of glory

Sure, it would be fun to leave your job with a dramatic flourish – dumping your desk, telling off the boss, throwing your chair through a window on your way out the door – but is it smart?

No, not at all. An over-dramatic exit can create unnecessary tension and burn bridges with your colleagues and employer. But dramatic exits are often a matter of opinion so if you’re not sure you’ve planned appropriately for your final day at work, here are ways you can create too much drama when making your exit:

Making a scene: Storming out of the office, yelling, swearing, busting up office equipment – causing any disturbance on your last day can create a negative impression and damage your professional reputation in the future.

Sending a confrontational resignation letter:

Writing a resignation letter filled with complaints, grievances or personal attacks can escalate the situation and strain relationships with your employer and colleagues. Not to mention that you’re leaving a trail of “do-not-hire” evidence in your wake.

Publicly airing grievances: Sharing negative comments about your employer or colleagues on social media or public forums can poorly reflect your professionalism. Also, it may harm your future job prospects – no one wants to hire a person who may go scorched earth on them in the future.

Stretching the truth: Making up a scenario or completely inventing a reason for your exit may make for dramatic storytelling but you never know who may be listening.