5 Do's and Don'ts when Leaving a Company

[joffre]

Diplomacy is defined as "tact and skill in dealing with people." While it's always a good idea to be diplomatic in your personal and business dealings, it's especially important when you are leaving a job.

The world is much smaller than we sometimes think. You never know when or how paths will cross again, especially considering the fluidity of today's job market. When you're leaving a job, it's not the time to burn bridges. Years down the road, you never know who will be interviewing you for that job you're dying for or who will be hired to sit in the cube next to you.

Here are some do's and don'ts to consider before your last day, whether you are leaving by choice or not.

1. Do use professionalism and courtesy in announcing your intention to leave the company. Advise your direct supervisor first. Then tell colleagues and department staff.

Don't do it at the last minute. Give your employer advance notice so there is enough time to arrange for your successor. Generally, acceptable notice is two to four weeks. Work with your current and future employers to set a time frame that works for both them and you.

2. Do write a professional letter of resignation. No need for lengthy explanations, you can simply state that you are resigning from your position to pursue other interests or opportunities. Whether you loved or hated your job or your supervisor, the outcome should be the same: a brief, respectful letter stating your intention to leave.

Don't badmouth the company. Once others know you are leaving, naysayers may seek you out to share their feelings of discontent. If you want to leave on good terms, don't be associated with disgruntled or unhappy employees.

3. Do finish the job. Don't leave projects half-completed. Provide a list of projects and review what can or needs to be completed before you depart. Don't disappear. Avoid short-timer's attitude. Stay an active and contributing member of your team during your last days at work. Work hard and do your best to leave a good and lasting impression.

Don't leave your desk or office in disarray. Take a day to organize your materials for your successor. Leave the company assets behind. Unless you brought something from home or paid for that stapler with your own money, it should stay on your desk

4. Do offer to train your replacement if time permits. If you leave before that person comes on board, make yourself available to answer questions in person or over the phone.

Don't send boastful or sobbing farewell e-mails. If you choose to use e-mail to notify colleagues that you are leaving, provide your contact information -- these people are part of your network

5. Do use your exit interview time wisely. Regardless of what you are told, this is not the time to trash your boss or your boss's boss. If you haven't discussed your concerns about a co-worker in the past, don't use this as an opportunity to reveal them for the first time. If you have voiced concern, however, this is the time to reiterate it professionally.

Remember: Leaving with class and grace will never come back to haunt you. Exiting on a sour note can.

[encoder]

Great advice joffre have pointed out here. Leaving a company is not always easy, personally its really difficult. You have spend a considerable time in that company and you have offered your skill and knowledge for the job that you did. Whatever your reasons in leaving the company you are presently working with, remember those advices that joffre have posted.

[blenda]

When leaving a company, its always best to part from that company with dignity and respect. I mean when you leave a company, it will be part of your work experience having work in that company. When you will apply for a new job, you will have to include it in your resume and there will be a time that you will have to have reference from that company that you have worked with. If you have left with respect then the new company that you are applying will have the confidence to let you work for them.

[neprican]

Great ideas. while leaving a office its is muct that u leave it with full dignity because its sure that one day u will surely have to face the same ppl again since u will be working in same field and if u have left with respect then it will surely help u but if u leave or disapper suddenly , in time being it wil hurt you.

[escapologist]

This is great advice. Regardless, it really is easier said than done. It's hardly impossible, but when you loathed the job in the first place (and especially if that's your reason for resignation) it takes real self-control.

Speaking from personal experience.

[klorpet]

Yes never burn your bridges and never talk badly about previous companies or employers.

Good advice!