Quitting a Job Is Fine…But Never Burn Bridges When Leaving

Whether you’ve found a new opportunity or are simply resigning, quitting your job can be a very difficult decision.  When you do decide it’s time to leave, it’s important to part your way with grace and professional courtesy in order to avoid burning any bridges.  You should leave your boss wishing they could have you back.  Follow these guidelines to quit your job and keep your professional reputation in tact.

Tell your boss in person.

The only right way to announce your resignation is in person.  Your boss should never hear that an employee is leaving from the office rumor mill, much less social media.  No matter how strained the relationship between you and your boss is, the only mature, professional way to give your resignation is face-to-face.  It’ll leave a better impression and help prevent any resentment.  You will likely need your boss as a reference later on, so don’t burn that bridge.

Give at least two weeks notice.

Make sure you give adequate notice of your decision to resign.  A two-week notice seems to be the standard across many industries, but you don’t want to cause negativity by leaving your company in a rut.  If you’ve been working on a major project that has two and half weeks left, let your new employer know up front that you’d like to finish out the project.  Most hiring managers will appreciate that you’re a dedicated employee that wants to see your work through.  If your position requires a specific skill set that is hard to fill, make an effort to reach out to contacts similar to you that may be interested.  If you’re the only one in the company with knowledge in your area, giving more than a standard notice is a respectful way to allow time to transition that knowledge to another employee.

Ask how your departure should be communicated.

Show management you respect them by asking when it’s okay to communicate the news of your departure to your colleagues.  When they give you the green light, tell the three or four coworkers who have been the most supportive of your career first.  These people deserve to know about your decision before they hear it through the grapevine.  On your last day, write a farewell email about your positive experiences working with everyone in the organization.

Show gratitude.

Send a thank you note to your supervisor and another senior manager that helped in your professional development.  Let them know how much you appreciated all that they did for you.  Even if the relationship between you and your boss wasn’t perfect, write a positive note thanking them for being your supervisor and wish them well.  You don’t need to go overboard, but it’s common courtesy to thank them for the opportunity you had to work together.

Share your contact information.

Put your personal contact information in your farewell e-mail, and let colleagues know that they’re welcome to reach out to you.  Even if you don’t plan to stay in touch with all of your coworkers, it’s important to leave an impression as though you do.  This keeps your departure on positive terms.  Chances are your colleagues will eventually switch jobs too, and you never know when you’ll run into them in a business situation later on.  Also, be sure to get contact information from any one you’d want to use as a reference later on.

If you’re thinking about leaving your job for an exciting new opportunity in the healthcare industry, team up with BOS Medical to find just the right opportunity.  Whether you’re looking for long- or short-term work, or want to work locally or across the country, we have a variety of nursing jobs and employment opportunities in Athens, GA, Gainesville, GA, and beyond.  Contact us today to get started.

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