So, You Decided to Quit Your Job! Now What?

by Kimberly Schneiderman, City Career Services

First, congratulations on making a tough decision! Whether you are leaving your job to accept a new position, venture out on your own, or take a break from the work world, there are several things you need to do to make the transition smooth for your employer and retain your professional reputation.

Before you give notice:

1. Delete personal and/or embarrassing emails and documents from your email account and computer. There is no reason for someone to be able to read the intimate details of your Super Bowl party, and it could serve to your detriment if you ever need a recommendation from this employer.
2. Take an inventory of the personal items in your desk and office. If you are asked to leave immediately upon giving notice, you will want to make sure the company ships everything you have to you. You can start taking some things home, but be cautious, nothing says “I’m outta here!” more than a clean office.
3. Understand your company’s policies on unused vacation and sick days. Can you expect payment for the days or do you have to forego them as unpaid?
4. Decide what the appropriate length of notice will be. Everyone knows the standard notice is two weeks, but if your position is complex or will require a long transition period, you should give four weeks.
5. Prepare your resignation letter. Draft it like any other business correspondence, using your own letterhead; include the date of the letter and the date of your last day on the job. You can also express appreciation for the opportunity to work at the company without going too overboard. Keep the letter simple.

After giving notice:

1. Create a manual for doing your job and train/coach others in your job. Be open with information related to your position, your responsibilities, etc., even where you keep key records and files.
2. Go over lists of to-do’s and priorities with your supervisor. Make sure the supervisor understands that you are continuing to work hard in your position and are trying to make the transition as smooth as possible.
3. Assist Human Resources in replacing you. Offer to write a job description complete with skills and experience required to be successful in the position.
4. Express your desire to use this company as a reference in the future. Also, secure personal contact information for your supervisors in case they leave the company.
5. If there is an exit interview, this is not the time to bring up every wrong done to you over the past five years. Simply state that you were looking for different opportunities and found one that was too good to pass up. If you wish to give constructive feedback on ways to improve the position, make sure the information is given without emotion. Your safest bet is to be professional and say nothing that will make you (or them) look bad.

If you are asked to leave immediately:

1. Have the inventory of your desk and office ready. Ask them to send the items to you or make them available for pick up on a specific date.
2. Hand over the Blackberry, cell phone, keys, credit cards, computers, and anything else the company may own that you use.
3. Be respectful on the way out; often, having an employee leave upon giving notice is a business decision based on security issues, not one to be taken personally.

After leaving:

1. Keep yourself available for questions following your departure.
2. If you are eligible for long-term benefits (401K or pension), continue to provide updated contact information to the benefits manager.
3. Remember these people are part of your professional network. Stay in touch with co-workers via email and occasional lunches or coffee. Drop notes to executives on a regular basis to check-in.

Leaving a job can go really well, with all sides feeling positive, if a bit apprehensive, about the change. Alternatively, it can go badly, with a lot of finger pointing and disruption to operations. Your goal should be to end your employment professionally, so that if you ever needed a reference, or even wanted to apply to a position with the company in the future, you would not hesitate.

Best of luck!

Kimberly Schneiderman is owner of City Career Services, a company that provides job search tools including Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interview Workshops to goal-oriented professionals at all levels and across all industries.