Once you have given notice that you’re leaving your job and have tendered your official resignation, there are still some things you need to consider doing to ensure a graceful transition before you head out the office door or sign-off from your computer for the last time.
If you’ve lost your job, it’s just as important to leave on a professional note. Depending upon the reason for your departure, you may not be very concerned with the tasks you need to do before leaving your position and soon-to-be-former employer. How you leave does make a difference, though.
Finalizing your relationships with supervisors and co-workers can solidify positive perceptions about your professionalism, and help you get good references for the future.
If you plan ahead, you’ll be able to leave on good terms and in the company’s good graces. That’s always the best way to move on from a job, especially since you may even end up working with some of your former coworkers or previous boss at other jobs in the future.
Here are 8 essential things to do before leaving your job:
1. Help make the transition go well
Meet with your supervisor and offer to do anything possible to help fill the void created by your departure. Offer to help train the person who will carry out your duties. Ask for input from your supervisor regarding the priorities for your final days. Your professionalism during your remaining time will be remembered when reference checks are made in the future.
2. Make a list of what you do on the job
Create a running list of your assignments each month so you can document them as concretely as possible. Share the list with your manager and offer to review it with whoever needs to be informed.
3. Update your resume and LinkedIn profile:
4. Write some recommendations
Compose LinkedIn recommendations for supervisors, colleagues, and key constituents. People love receiving recommendations, and it will help you get some of your own.
5. Remember to be humble
Resist the temptation to celebrate your good fortune of landing a new job too enthusiastically with co-workers. You will only alienate your soon-to-be former boss and colleagues.
6. Say thank you
Take the time to thank everyone who has helped you to be productive in your role. Your generosity and modesty will be remembered. Single people out and express your gratitude for their support at any going-away parties. Take the time to send a goodbye email to the people you’ve worked with, including co-workers, clients, and vendors.
7. Keep it nice and polite
Do not badmouth management or staff. People have long memories about criticism, and you never know when inquiries about your performance will be made by future employers. Even if you hated your job or your boss, there’s no point in saying so.
8. Get information on your ex-employee benefits
Schedule an appointment with a benefits specialist within the Human Resources department or your manager. Secure information about compensation for vacation, a continuation of health coverage, implications for retirement plans, severance pay, if applicable, and other benefits that will continue after you terminate employment.
