Put together an exit strategy to leave a job on good terms

Are you planning to leave your job? If not, you can skip this week’s column, but on one condition: Save it for later. Because eventually you’ll need it. Not only is job-leaving fraught with emotions, it’s also filled with uncertainties and elements you don’t control.

Since that’s the perfect combination for forgetting something important, a process list like this one can be a valuable tool.

12 things to do when leaving your job

Before giving your notice

1. Review your work agreement or employee manual to understand noncompete clauses, paid time off, payout dates for bonuses, etc. You need to know the rules to better decide the timing of your last day and any financial consequences.

2. Manage your health care. If you won’t be leaving for a while, hustle to schedule preventive appointments — which is an appropriate use of your paid sick time, by the way. You also should review your plan and explore post-quit alternatives.

3. Buy your own phone, computer, printer or any other equipment you rely on that’s currently provided by the company. It’s painful to do this after quitting, when you’re under pressure and can’t shop for deals.

4. Take home or forward what belongs to you. For example, if you’ve received kudos letters or training certificates, move them somewhere that you can access later. Now is also the time to (appropriately) make work samples that demonstrate your skills, to use later in an interview or portfolio.

5. Identify future contacts and retain their information. It can be difficult later to find the people you so easily contact during the workday. By capturing contact information for key colleagues and mentors, you pave the way for later networking.

Within ethical bounds, individual clients and vendors also could fit this step. To be safe, ask each one for permission. Also, refrain from copying lists — that could be considered theft of company property.

6. Update professional memberships. If the membership is prepaid and in your name, it belongs to you. Switch the contact information to reflect your personal email and cellphone.

7. Clean your files (both electronic and paper) to eliminate personal items from company resources. Family photos and personal contacts will all be toast if you store them on a company device that gets returned.

8. Determine your leave date and when to give notice. Hint: Leaving at the beginning of the month gives you more time to switch health care, since you’ll be prepaid until the end of the month. Another hint: Try to schedule both the notification and the departure date for after bonus payouts, if relevant.

9. Gather your things. No need to be obvious, but it’s good to have less stuff at work at this stage. Desk drawers, bookshelves, break room, locker, your car or truck if it’s company-issued — making a list will help ensure noth- ing gets left behind.

Giving your notice

Type, print and hand-deliver your resignation note. Or, if your boss is remote, send as an emailed pdf attachment. Shorter is usually better. For example,

“Dear ___, This letter is to inform you that I’ll be leaving my job effective ___. I know we’ll be talking more to confirm the details but in the meantime, thank you for this opportunity to work with ___ Company. Sincerely ___”

After giving your notice

10. Write short notes to colleagues, saying goodbye and sharing your contact information if desired.

11. Ask for letters of recommendation from your boss or key colleagues. The offer to be a reference is good, but letters are better.

12. Throw a party. Heck, why not? If your colleagues aren’t remote, consider bringing a treat on your last day or inviting them for a post-work get-together.

5 things not to do when leaving a job

1. Gripe. 2. Take clients or co-workers with you. 3. Take anything else with you that you shouldn’t. 4. Slack off. 5. Overwork, trying to complete months of stacked-up work.

One thing I probably wouldn’t do

The exit interview. Your view may differ, but I detest these things on multiple levels. From my experience, they waste everyone’s time by inviting “feedback” that isn’t likely to reach the intended audience anyway. Not only that, but they can inspire griping that provokes later remorse. Better to control your exit and finish your carefully-planned leaving process on a high note.