Exit Strategy
How to quit your job without burning bridges
Face it: in today’s working world you’re going to have multiple jobs and probably even multiple careers. According to Talent Force: A New Manifesto for the Human Side of Business by Rusty Rueff and Hank Stringer, “everyone will always be available and waiting for the next job; the quest for better jobs will be a public obsession.” Best then, to be prepared with an exit strategy.
If you are lucky enough to be sure where you want to be in your career, then during the interview process, consider what you can learn to further your position in this company and have a game plan on what you need to accomplish, your next step and what your expected timeline should be. Discuss these goals with the hiring manager to confirm that they are realistic.
As Jim Collins, author of Good to Great and co-author of best selling Built to Last, promotes the mantra of “making sure you have the right people on the bus” to employers, it is also key for individuals to confirm they are on the right bus.
When the time comes that you are ready to move on to new challenges and greener pastures (we hope), discuss your goals with your supervisor to see if there is an opportunity within the company. If there isn’t, decide on an agreeable game plan on when you plan on leaving and create a plan to get your replacement up to speed. By offering this, don’t be surprised if your supervisor helps you get to your next job!
If you are trying to find your dream job but instead land in one that isn’t right, don’t leave the company high and dry by walking out. Give a minimum of two weeks notice and do your best to do the job until you leave.
When you feel the job is at a dead end, remember the old wisdom of “what goes around, comes around” and focus on leaving things in order. With the amount of consolidation today, you don’t know when a past boss could become a new boss due to company buyouts. Update all of your notes on current and past projects, remove personal things from your computer and desk and leave it clean.
Don’t use your work time to be going on interviews or checking job boards—take vacation days and do interviews before or after work or on your lunch hours; don’t use your company email address to send résumés or communicate with potential employers. And DO NOT use company stationary to send resumes or follow-up correspondence!
Put your resignation and last date of work in writing, thank the company for what they offered you and personally give it to your supervisor. Don’t resign by email, by voicemail or by just not showing up.
If you get fired or laid off, probe why so that you can better overcome those issues at your next job. Ask for constructive criticism. Don’t act mad or write your supervisors nasty emails, as it will not get you anywhere.
It’s a small world out there; people do talk and new employers will check references, especially with past employers. It is true that when one door closes, another opens. Keep yours open by leaving in a professional manner—you won’t regret it.
Laurie Kahn is co-Founder and CEO of All About Careers, and founder and President of Media Staffing Network. She lives in Chicago.
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