Making a professional exit

What’s the “best” way to leave a job? The decision to quit often calls for introspection. But if it really is time to move on, what’s your exit strategy??

First, you need to decide the timing of your departure. Will you wait until you have a new position lined up before turning in your resignation, or are you comfortable having a few months without your normal income to focus on the job search? There are pros and cons to each approach. Beyond financial constraints, consider your comfort level with risk and uncertainty, the market demand for your skillset, and the factors driving your decision to leave. Don't ignore the emotional impact of not going to work each day and interacting with your colleagues. For many, values and identity are intertwined with their work. Will you feel like you're losing impact if you're not practicing those professional values for a few months?

Next, determine when you’re going to share your decision to leave. Realize that your boss’s or organization’s expectations for length of notice may be different from your own. Some move for quick departures, while others try to press people to stay until a replacement is hired and trained. Look at the precedents within your company. The “norm” is two weeks, but I think the focus should be more on your relationship with the company, manager, and colleagues than a duration of time. You want enough time to wrap up key tasks and coordinate a smooth transition of your work to others, so you can leave on good terms with your boss and colleagues. On the flip side, you don’t want the transition to be so long that it eliminates a sense of urgency or encourages extensions. Of course, timing a departure can be challenging if you're already applying for your next role, and you may need to adjust your timeline to accommodate your new employer.

Once you’ve settled on the timing of your departure and announcement, plan how you will communicate it. You want your boss and direct reports to hear the news from you. Assume that word will spread quickly once one person knows. I strongly encourage people to tell their supervisor first and in person—or at least in real-time (and ideally with video) if you’re working remotely. Script your conversation before the meeting. Decide how much to share with your boss about your reasons for leaving and what’s next. Remember, you don’t have to disclose where you are going or what you are doing next if you don’t want to. Outline a transition plan, but leave space for your supervisor’s input too. Follow up with an email to document your planned departure date and final tasks to be completed by then, by all parties involved. Though it might not be necessary, the Harvard Business Review offers some good reasons and tips for preparing a formal resignation letter. Next, talk to your direct reports and colleagues you work with closely. Ideally you’ll be able to share some broad strokes about the transition plan.

Finally, execute the transition plan that you and your supervisor developed. Delivering excellent outputs as you’re on your way out is a great way to leave a good last impression with your boss and colleagues. Remember, they can continue to be powerful members of your network even after you’re gone.

What’s the most interesting story you know of someone departing an organization? Have you seen a lasting impact left by someone on their way out?

#Resignation #JobSearch #RelationshipBuilding