Have you thought about how to end your job well? Learn 5 tips to support you as you make your next transition.
Have you thought about how to end your job well?
More often than not, once we know we’re leaving, we think about the excitement of our new job and start planning for our new role. Books like Michael Watkins’ classic, The First 90 Days, help us prepare for what’s ahead. This is critical, but how do we close out the work and the role that will soon be behind us?
Here are 5 tips to leave well as you close out one chapter of your journey and begin another:
1. Give ample notice to your company – While 2 weeks notice is standard for many positions, consider your level of responsibility and your client relationships. Depending on your role, it may take more time to transition your work. If possible, depending on the start date for your new role, give as much notice as possible to make it a smooth transition.
2. Make it easy to step in – You likely have multiple folders and files that you have acquired over the years. If you’re like me, you also have historical knowledge of your work and clients that were not documented anywhere. Organizing this information in a way that supports your colleague, who will take over the work, will go a long way in leaving a positive impression.
3. Connect with colleagues – Make sure to schedule coffee or lunch with supervisors and colleagues with whom you want to remain in contact. Good relationships are invaluable, and you never know when your paths may cross again.
4. Don’t share too much – Not everyone needs to know the details of why you have decided to leave. Use professional judgment to set healthy boundaries on what you disclose. Sometimes less is more.
5. Commemorate your transition – Before moving directly into your next job, pause and mark the closure of the previous chapter. You may want to celebrate with friends or write thank you notes to former colleagues. Whichever form you choose, this ritual is a powerful way to say goodbye to what is past and prepare your heart, mind, and spirit for your next step.
Whatever your next step, leaving well will help you start your new journey on the right foot.
