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Leaving your current job to pursue new opportunities can be an exciting but nerve-racking experience. While it’s easy to focus on what’s ahead, leaving your current role responsibly, intentionally, and smoothly is also important. Quitting gracefully is respectful to your current employer and sets you up for success in your next chapter.
Don’t panic! If you keep these key principles to keep in mind when quitting your job, it’ll go smoothly for everyone.
- Leave the campsite better than you found it: Set your team and successors up for success. This will make others’ lives easier and also make a long-lasting good impression.
- End well: Humans are psychologically inclined to remember the beginning and the ending. Ensure your exit is smooth & graceful as this is what others will remember.
- Strengthen your network: Keep the professional connections that you made during this role strong and positive. You never know when they’ll come in handy.
- Act with intention: Craft a plan and narrative and stick to it. It’ll make your life easier and make the process smoother for everyone involved.
Ok, ready to design your quitting experience? Here’s what to do:
(By the way, you can download a free worksheet here that walks you through this process step by step, with space to fill in the blanks)
Craft a story:
Before quitting your job, reflect on why you’re leaving and why this transition is important to you. Write a short story about your departure that is professional, positive, and easy to memorize. Include something positive about the new opportunity for you, something positive about your old position, and something positive about the people you are leaving behind. Avoid complaining about your old job in any way.
Tell your manager:
Take this time to outline exactly when and how you’re going to have the conversation with your boss. Consider drafting notes for yourself for the conversation. Pick a meeting (if it’s going to be during a recurring meeting) or schedule one to have this discussion.
When discussing your departure with your manager, share feedback or tips on how to improve the job, but be sure to balance honesty with leaving on good terms. Don’t burn bridges; it’s not worth it.
Set future-you up for success:
Take time to document your accomplishments and key projects from this job. Create a folder where all of these files are saved for easy reference. I provide my 1:1 coaching clients a Career Accomplishments tracker so that they have a helpful document & guide and never forget about their big wins.
Rev up your professional network:
Take this time to cement your good professional relationships. List everyone who has been an important, positive professional relationship for you in this job. Consider coworkers, leaders, mentors, or even clients/customers. Touch base with them to let them know you’re leaving (avoid the gossip!) via a personal note (e.g., slack, email) or a coffee/lunch chat. Let them know how to contact you in the future and see if you can set them up for success (see above). Be sure to add them on LinkedIn!
Set others up for success:
Make a list of people you work with and figure out how to positively impact them when you leave. This includes passing along high-impact/value projects, giving away your tips, tricks, and helpful resources, and writing them a glowing LinkedIn recommendation.
Set your replacement up for success with a Quick Reference Manual:
Make a one-stop-shop for the person taking your job after you leave. Consider the following lists and sections, add or subtract as needed.
- Regular meetings, activities, and reports (include examples, templates, schedules)
- List of key colleagues and helpers (names, roles, email, phone
- List current key issues and problems to be addressed (one page each with room for notes)
- List old problems that could resurface if not maintained, including what to look for and what, if any, maintenance is required to keep them solved.
- Procedures for the regular functions of the job
- Reference company documents if available
- Write summary procedures for key actions not documented elsewhere
- Tips, tricks, and helpful resources
- Email templates, slide deck templates, etc.
Set your direct reports up for success:
If you are a leader, then it’s worth taking extra time to set your employees up for success with their next manager. Here’s how to do that:
- Give kudos: Take time to reflect on their accomplishments and wins. Set aside time to share this with them and thank them for their efforts. Make it personal; a handwritten note or 1:1 coffee chat can go a long way.
- Keep promises: Are there any lingering tasks you promised employees you’d do for them? If so, do diligence and follow up. If you’re unable to push this through the finish line then make sure that your replacement is aware and able to finish it for you. E.g., getting them that conference stipend, requesting them to be added to a project, etc.
- Share development plans: You (hopefully!) have deep knowledge of this person’s career goals and plans. Take time to share any knowledge you have with your replacement. If there’s anything you can do on your way out to help push them toward their goals, do it!
- Kick-off with a good impression:
- Make notes on each of your employees to share with your replacement. Include their development goals, preferences, strengths, key projects, etc. Basically, write a short summary of what makes each employee a great employee.
- Avoid sharing negative traits if at all possible; let your replacement start with a positive bias and a blank slate. It’s amazing what a fresh start can do.
- Ensure you note any pending promotions or recognitions left undone, and/or career development projects you were working on, etc. (look out for their futures – you won’t be there to finish what you started with them)
By following these steps, you can quit your job gracefully and leave on good terms. Remember that how you exit is just as important as how you enter!
Ready to dive in? Download my free worksheet that walks you through each of these steps in depth!
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