Leaving a company, especially one you’ve been with for a long time, can be an emotional experience. Even if you’re moving on to bigger and better things, you likely have mixed feelings about saying goodbye to coworkers who have become friends, projects you have invested time and energy into, and an organisation that has been part of your professional identity.
While it may be tempting to make a quick exit once you’ve handed in your resignation, taking the time to leave gracefully and positively can benefit both you and the company. Here are some tips on how to smoothly transition out of your current role.
Give Proper Notice
Once you’ve accepted a new position, you’ll need to notify your employer that you’ll be leaving. Check your contract or employee handbook for the amount of notice you are required to provide – typically two weeks or one month. While you may be excited to move on, giving less notice than requested can burn bridges. Provide the expected amount of notice, if not a little more. This gives the company time for a proper knowledge transfer and to begin the process of hiring your replacement.
Express Gratitude and Appreciation
Take time in your final days to thank coworkers and express appreciation for the opportunity to work with them. Send a note letting your manager know how much you have valued and learned from their leadership. Make sure stakeholders and clients you worked closely with know how much you have cherished building relationships with them.
Expressing gratitude leaves people with positive memories of your tenure at the company. It also highlights that you have appreciated your time at the organisation and the people you worked with, even though you are moving on. Check out these thank you messages for colleagues when leaving for some ideas.
Document Your Work
Over your tenure, you have likely amassed a wealth of institutional knowledge. One of the most helpful things you can do before departing is document your responsibilities, projects, contacts, and any other pertinent information. This ensures a smooth handover to whoever is taking over your role by providing context and background.
Be sure to outline key processes you handle, the status of ongoing work, and major contacts such as vendors or clients. Pass along any templates, files, or resources you have created. Offer to make yourself available for questions after you’ve left the company. The more you can do to set your replacement and team up for success, the more positively your departure will be viewed.
Offer to Tie Up Loose Ends
No matter how thorough your knowledge transfer, you will have left projects unfinished and tasks that no one but you can close out properly. Offer to make yourself available for phone calls or emails on your used iPhone 14 to tie up any loose ends after your last day. Set proper expectations by letting your manager know when you would be available, and for how long.
This transitional help can be invaluable in properly buttoning up your remaining responsibilities. It also reinforces that you want to do everything possible to set the team up for success as you depart.
Don’t Burn Bridges
When transitioning out of a company, it’s easy to feel bitter or resentful about issues from your tenure. Venting those frustrations may feel satisfying in the moment, but it almost always damages relationships and leaves a bad impression. Take pains not to burn bridges with colleagues on the way out.
Avoid overly criticising processes or management in exit interviews. Don’t bad mouth your replacement or complain to clients about the company. Take the high road and keep conversations positive about your experience and what you appreciate about the organisation. You never know when your paths will cross again, so do your best to preserve relationships despite any negative feelings.
Plan a Farewell Happy Hour
Schedule an informal farewell gathering with coworkers before your last day. This gives you and your team a chance to trade stories and reminisce about shared experiences in a relaxed environment outside the office. Order some appetisers, play some fun background music, and share laughs together like the good old days.
Make sure to take some group photos to memorialise the event and keep in touch on social media. Having one last hurrah together softens goodbyes and reminds coworkers of the team camaraderie you shared.
Make a Gracious Exit
On your final walk out the door, make it a point to smile, wish everyone well, and thank them again for the opportunity. Drop off any remaining company property, keys, or access materials. As you make your gracious exit, reinforce that you are thankful for your time at the company and want everyone to do well moving forward.
Even if the company is truly happy to see you go, strive to make your final departure classy and take pains not to damage relationships. Your reputation and references from the company depend on it.
Leaving a job gracefully maximises goodwill towards you, eases the transition for the organisation, and maintains positive relationships with your former coworkers. By following these tips, you can make your exit feel like a fond farewell rather than a bitter goodbye. Making your transition off the team as smooth as possible ensures you will be remembered for all the right reasons.
