So you have got the job you wanted and you have finally decided to move out of this current one. But don’t be so hasty to leave that you forget certain basic thumb rules on making your exit and end up antagonising people at your old job. After all, it’s a small industry and it is quite likely that you may end up working with one of your ex-colleagues in the future or even want to return to your old organisation. So here are 11 ways to ensure a graceful exit and keep your network intact.
1. Know your reasons: Be clear with yourself about the reasons why you’re leaving before you turn in your resignation. This will help you state your case concisely when you’re asked the inevitable question: “Why?”
2. Tell your manager before anyone else: Your manager deserves to be told first, so refrain from saying anything to coworkers until you’ve met with your boss.
3. Provide appropriate notice: If your position is difficult to fill, choose an amount of time that will allow your soon-to-be former employer ample opportunity to replace you. If they rush to fill that position with a less-than-vetted person, the fall-out could very well have your name coming up negatively a little too often in meetings after you leave.
4. Offer to train your replacement: If there is time, consider staying on long enough to make sure your replacement is trained properly to do your job. It’s hard to criticise someone later who has been that generous.
5. Plan ahead: It is important to know the applicable notice period, rules of resignation related to loss of stocks, bonuses or other benefits. Otherwise you could end up losing financially by not managing dates or paperwork properly.
6. Don’t be negative or vindictive: Post resignation, most of the toxic stuff spews out -the unjust boss, the colleague who blindsided you or an HR head with a poor appraisal protocol. These negative feelings may be bubbling inside you, but don’t give vent to them during your exit interview. Instead list it out in a calm, pragmatic manner.
7. Meet individually with mentors and sponsors in the company: Beyond your own department, if you have mentors or anyone within the company who has acted as your sponsor, quickly schedule time to let them know you’re leaving and why.
8. After you give notice, work harder than ever: Do you have one foot out the door, complete with a relaxed schedule and little left to accomplish? Is that the final impression you want to leave? Last impressions matter.
9. Never renegotiate terms in order to stay on: This is a really underhand thing that anyone with integrity would balk at. People sometimes threaten to leave, or actually pick up offer letters just to get that knee jerk recognition or salary hike.
10. Do a proper handover: Get a list of your clients, assignments in progress and process documents in order. If you are helping with hiring your replacement, ensure there is an overlap so the company is comfortable. Transfer knowledge, both verbal and written, as much as possible.
11. Don’t burn your bridges: Remember, you could walk right back in a few months or a year if things don’t work out, and anyway these are people and clients you have worked with for a long time, so any rude or triumphant behaviour should really be avoided.
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