How to Gracefully Leave A Job
Just as every story has an ending, so do jobs. Whether you leave your current job voluntarily or involuntarily, a proper good-bye will be in order.
If you are leaving under your own volition a proper notice of intent to terminate your employment is your first order of business. In most cases, a two week notice is still standard; however, depending upon the complexity of your position or role, greater notice might be necessary.
During the period in which you are "on notice" to leave, you should get a letter of recommendation before that period is up. Getting one after you've left the company can be difficult. This is also the time to ask how they prefer to be contacted for future employment references.
If you are being laid off or fired, the initial shock can be gripping. It often immobilizes people. The level of shock that you experience upon getting laid off or fired will be in direct proportion with how out of tune you were with your company. Getting the rug pulled from under your feet only happens when you don't pay attention. If you are aware that it might be pulled, you can brace yourself for the fall, or jump off before it occurs.
Once you are able to pull yourself together emotionally, create a complete job description while you are still on the job. It's amazing how much we forget that we do on a daily basis when we are removed from our work situations. In compiling your job description, think in terms of accomplishments. Merely listing job duties and requirements does not paint an accurate picture of what you are capable of.
As much as people will tell you that they will miss you and they'd like to stay in touch, they won't and they don't. At least, for the most part. Sure they will notice that you are gone, but the reality is, your absence, while obvious, only serves as a reminder to them that they too could suffer the same inexplicable fate if it stems from the unexpected.
Since most workers think that the grass is greener on the other side (i.e. any place of employment other than their current one), those who leave under their own terms are actually looked upon with envy. They did something that all of those who constantly complain about work, compensation, work conditions, etc. were not able or willing to do: They became accountable for the quality of their lives and took actions to improve it. They will take their new lease on life to their new job, and new group of co-workers who have the same complaints as the previous group.
Despite the superficial gestures such as pledging to "stay in touch" or "have lunch," there needs to be a genuine effort put forth in orchestrating a conscientious PR campaign that will cast you in the best possible light, and leave a positive impression upon those who may serve as allies in the future.
To that end, thank all of your supervisors/managers for the work experience - regardless of the conditions that engender your departure. Offer to assist them in the transition if your departure will result in the creation of a vacancy. Also let them know that you'd be happy to conduct an exit interview.
Many employees are so anxious to close the chapter on their present employment that they fail to acknowledge loose ends in the process. An exit interview affords you that opportunity. Not only does it give you the chance to help tie up loose ends, you can position yourself as an employee who made a contribution to your company, even on your way out the door.
Exit interviews can also help the employee mentally unload (in a diplomatic way), and educate the employer on the finer nuances of the position which they may not be aware of. This will surely aid them in their efforts to find the right replacement.
Leaving a job gracefully is not easy, but it's beneficial for you to do so. Hopefully this helps.
Questions and Answers
High-levels of voluntary employee turnover is very costly. Exit interview surveys, employee retention surveys and employee turnover surveys identify the causes of employee attrition and identify ways to significantly increase employee retention.
Many organizations rely on data retrieved from exit interviews to improve their employee retention programs. Unfortunately much of this information is highly suspect at best. The problem is that many employees leaving an organization do not feel comfortable revealing the true reasons for their departure. The End result is an exit interview where the employee takes the high road aand tells his or her employer: "It's not you, it's me"
Exit interviews are almost as useful and candidate interviews, yet they are rarely used and even when they are they are hardly ever implemented properly. Running a ad hoc exit interview on the day and employee leaves will not give you the data you need. Leave it a while. You can even run an exit interview a full year after the employee leaves.
Discussion, dos and don'ts for exit interview
ACTUAL CASE HISTORY: Claudia was always near the top of her class, in high school, in college, and in business school. And so it was in her hotel industry career: within eight years of her joining the world's second largest hotel company as a management trainee she rose to its corporate headquarters, as its Senior Vice President of Sourcing. As always before, she was once again "near the top."
Teaching English abroad in Vietnam is a unique experience for anyone who seeks to explore a beautiful country with a rich heritage. You may find people who say that it is not difficult to find jobs in Saigon, but the converse is true. It depends on where and how you conduct your search.
Thailand is a beautiful country with an expanding opportunity to teachers seeking opportunities to travel and teach. The steady demand for native English speakers means that any confident applicant with basic teaching skills can secure employment without difficulties.
Doctor jobs are growing in demand. Canadian research discovered that over four million Canadians lack a family physician Because four million Canadians don't have a family physician, the need for physicians is enormous Provinces throughout Canada are desperate to fill these vacancies.
Although Singapore is an island nation, it has grown to become a modern and efficient first world model country in Asia too. The infrastructure is remarkable and education sector largely successful.
Malaysia is a beautiful country with a thriving tourism industry. Like other emerging countries in Asia, the education sector spurs the knowledge-based economy. The education reforms have been instrumental in producing a quality workforce that satisfies the professional demands of various industries.
Being overqualified can be a mystifying experience for job seekers. Learning how to modify and present your qualifications can be the difference between employment and unemployment. This article tells you how to do it.
Are there similarities between finding the perfect job and finding the perfect mate? This article draws upon comparisons to both while offering advice in how to prevail in both your love life, and your job search.
No matter how much you hate public speaking, you are going to have to do it at some point. Whether as a student, an employee, or a manager. Even as a relative or friend you may be called upon to bestow some insights or wisdom about a particular person or situation. When you do, here are some tips to help you conquer your fears, and excel as a public speaker.
In 2010, Senator Harry Reid made what some felt was a disparaging remark about President Barack Obama's "no Negro dialect." This article contains commentary about the incident, and the conflicts and challenges that black men face when employing language that impacts their success.
Time is a precious commodity. How do you use it? This thought provoking article addresses the time related issues that we face in our everyday lives. It also offers some perspectives on how to maximize and appreciate the limited time that we spend on earth.
Discuss this Article
