You feel they treated you like crap. They didn’t recognize or reward the work and dedication you gave them. And it’s time for you to exit. This article will share ways to leave your job gracefully and stay congruent with your personal brand even if you are upset.
Your first impulse after knowing your days are numbered is probably very natural: “Let these jerks know how I feel!”
Hold that thought. Catch your breath. While it may be tempting to create a scene they’ll be talking about for years after you’re gone, it is not your best move.
According to a variety of job boards, including CareerBuilder and Monster.com, anywhere from 4 to 7 percent of people return to work for a company a second time in their career. Even more people do business with their former company or former leadership as part of their new company.
Let’s say you go out in a blaze of glory. How awkward is it going to be down the road when your former company and current company are both handling different aspects of the same project? You may live to regret leaving the wrong way.
Even if they’ve done you wrong, there are certain ways to leave a company with grace, leaving your own personal brand intact:
Provide notice. It may feel good to walk in one morning and give them your resignation, “effective immediately,” but it’s not fair to everyone in the company – some of whom are probably your friends and have your respect. In providing notice, anywhere from two weeks to two months notice is acceptable depending on the situation. You do not want the reputation of being somebody who leaves their employer high-and-dry.
Plan your departure. If you’re in the middle of a project that you won’t be able to complete before you leave, create a transition plan whereby someone who understands your initial vision takes over the project. On the day you leave, there should not be loose ends when it comes to your workload or workflow. While you may disagree with your management on many things, have pride in the work you did and leave a legacy where people don’t think you fled without taking care of things.
Tell your manager first. Do not tell your buddy–who you’re fairly certain will keep a secret–that you’re heading out the door. Even people who aren’t into gossip can get sucked into office secret sharing. That buddy may also be jockeying for your position and might use your plans against you. When you’ve decided it is time to part ways with the company, compose a short, to-the-point, non-inflammatory resignation letter and hand-deliver it.
Be respectful on your way out. If your manager or other leaders have screwed you over, the odds are that it’s happening to other people as well. Even though you’re almost out the door, this is not the time to start bashing the company and trying to turn people who are staying against it. Having an exit interview will provide the place for you to calmly express that your experience wasn’t as beneficial or nurturing as you had hoped. Don’t be shy. Offer specific examples for clarity.
Make sure you have the other job. Do not quit because the second job interview went well. Do not present your resignation until you have a formal start date, a signed contract, or a formal job offer in writing. You don’t want to be sitting in your pajamas sending out applications because you misunderstood your potential new employer and quit the job you were unhappy with before you should have.
If you are considering a job change or are in the midst of transitioning, you don’t want to go it alone. Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation at http://maricarmenpizarro.com.
