How you leave a job is just as important as how you start one. It can be tempting to say exactly what you think about the organization or people you’re leaving, but there are only downsides to burning bridges or destroying relationships. You need to make a graceful exit. So once you’ve given notice to your boss, do the following:
- Create a plan with your boss. Lay out who you’ll tell about your departure and when and how you’ll hand off your work. It’ll make you both feel better to be on the same page.
- Be positive. No matter your reasons for leaving, don’t bring up past grievances or badmouth people on the way out. Focus on where you’re headed, so you’re seen as a person seeking new growth opportunities rather than as a disgruntled defector.
- Work hard until your last day. Don’t sully your hard-won reputation by slacking off at the end. Go out on a high note by making sure that your projects are transferred in a timely and organized fashion and that deadlines won’t be overlooked in your absence.
Adapted from "What to Do After You Tell Your Boss You're Leaving," Carolyn O'Hara
