We all love a good “rage-quit.” In fact, YouTube is filled with videos of people quitting their jobs in creative, explosive, and admittedly funny ways. Despite the entertainment value, quitting your job in an unprofessional manner can make getting the next one that much harder.
There are right ways to quit and there are wrong ways to quit your job. Quitting the right way will avoid burning bridges and ensure that you get a good recommendation for your next job. Here are ten tips on quitting in a professional manner.
1. Give Warning
Giving adequate notice when quitting a job is considered professional because it shows respect and consideration for your employer and coworkers. In addition, by providing sufficient warning, you allow your employer enough time to make necessary arrangements for your replacement or to reorganize the workload.
In such a way, you can help to minimize disruption to the company and demonstrate your commitment to helping the company succeed even after you quit your job professionally. This can contribute to your overall professional reputation and make you a more attractive candidate to future employers.
Therefore, do not just quit and walk out the same day. Instead, take the time to schedule a meeting with your supervisor to tell them why you are quitting and when you would like to go. You may have to negotiate some of the details to meet the needs of your company, but doing so will help to ensure a good recommendation for the future and keep everyone on amicable terms.
2. Be Courteous
Being courteous shows you appreciate the opportunities and experiences you had while working at the company and that you are leaving on good terms.
This can help to maintain positive relationships with your employer and coworkers and can demonstrate your professionalism and integrity. In addition, being courteous can contribute to your overall professional reputation and make you a more attractive candidate to future employers.
So, do not insult people, do not complain about your “old” job, and do not brag about how great your new job will be. Instead, continue to be friendly and helpful. You do not want your quit to turn into something hostile or unpleasant.
3. Keep Working
You may feel like your job is done, but you are accountable for your work until you walk out the door on your last day. So continue to work hard, adhere to office protocol, and be the great employee you have always been. You will feel better, in the end, that you did your job to your fullest.
By continuing to work, you show that you are dedicated to fulfilling your responsibilities and that you are not letting your quit affect your work performance. This can demonstrate your professionalism and reliability. They can rely on you to complete tasks and can prepare for your quitting without being impacted by any sudden changes in your work performance.
4. Prepare for the Transition
Preparing for the transition when quitting your job is considered a professional way to exit a company because it helps ensure a smooth and seamless process for you and your employer. Additionally, preparing for the transition can benefit your future professional opportunities by demonstrating your responsibility, reliability, and attention to detail. These qualities can be valuable to future employers and contribute to your professional reputation.
By preparing for the transition, you can take steps to ensure that your quit does not negatively impact your employer or coworkers. This can include completing all assigned tasks, training a replacement, and providing thorough documentation of your responsibilities and processes.
Therefore, without being asked, start preparing your files and other important documents so that people can make sense of your work once you are gone. If you have a replacement lined up, try to make the transition easy for the new person by leaving notes about necessary protocols and organizing common tasks. You may even want to offer to train your replacement.
5. Tell Colleagues
Informing your colleagues of your quit can demonstrate your commitment to transparency and honesty and help prevent potential misunderstandings or conflicts. It also shows that you value your relationships with your coworkers and respect the impact that your quit may have on them.
Therefore, unless your boss has asked you not to inform your colleagues about your quit, let them know as soon as possible that you are leaving. Be prepared to tell them why you are going because some of them may fear that their jobs are in jeopardy. Give everyone plenty of notice so they can prepare for the changes that your quit will bring.
Also, maintaining positive relationships with your colleagues can benefit your future professional opportunities. Positive references from former coworkers can be valuable, and maintaining good relationships can lead to future opportunities for collaboration and networking.
6. Show Gratitude
Showing gratitude when quitting your job is considered a professional way to exit a company because it demonstrates respect and appreciation for the opportunities and experiences gained while working there.
Expressing gratitude can help to maintain positive relationships with your employer and coworkers. Expressing gratitude can also demonstrate your commitment to leaving the company on good terms and can help ease the transition for you and your employer.
By showing gratitude, you can also acknowledge the efforts and contributions of your employer and coworkers and demonstrate that you value the time and resources they invested in you. This can help to foster positive feelings and respect, even after you have left the company.
7. Legitimate Reason
Providing a legitimate reason for quitting your job is considered a professional way to exit a company because it shows that you are taking responsibility for your decision and providing transparency to your employer.
Be sure you have a legitimate reason to quit your job professionally that does not include “greener pastures.” You may have to bend the truth a little, but telling a white lie to make people feel better about your departure may be the best thing for everyone. A legitimate reason can include personal circumstances, career growth opportunities, or dissatisfaction with the company culture. Whatever you do, don’t blame another coworker, your boss, or the work environment for your quit.
By providing a legitimate reason to quit your job professionally, you can help diffuse any potential conflict or misunderstanding arising from your quit. It also shows that you are committed to maintaining positive relationships and professional standards, even as you move on to a new opportunity.
8. Send a Letter
Sending a letter of resignation is a professional way to quit your job because it provides a written record of your quit and helps to ensure a smooth transition. The letter should be concise and polite and express gratitude for the opportunities and experiences gained while working at the company.
You should meet with your supervisor in person to discuss quitting your job professionally. After the meeting, send a formal letter of resignation stating when you are leaving. Make sure to keep a copy for yourself. A letter of resignation can also serve as a formal notification of your departure and provide important information, such as your last day of work and any conditions of your quitting your job professionally. Additionally, a letter of resignation can demonstrate your commitment to providing ample notice.
Sending a resignation letter before you quit your job professionally also shows that you take the matter seriously and are committed to leaving the company professionally and respectfully. This can help to maintain positive relationships with your employer and coworkers and improve your reputation for future employment opportunities.
9. Tell Your Direct Supervisor First
You may have more than one boss, and it may be that your most immediate supervisor has little say over hiring, resignations, and firing. Even if your immediate boss is not making the decision, let them know your plans to leave first. Your boss will need to prepare to talk to upper management as well and will not appreciate being blindsided by news from above that you are leaving.
By informing your direct supervisor first, you also give them time to process the news and make arrangements for your replacement, which can help to minimize any disruption to the company. Additionally, your supervisor can provide you with information on the next steps, such as the process for resigning, what to expect in your final weeks, and who to notify next.
10. Do It on a Friday
Make your announcement (preferably through a scheduled meeting) on a Friday. Companies are most suited to dealing with resignations on Friday afternoons, and it helps to avoid the post-resignation awkwardness that comes with an announcement that you are quitting.
The weekend will allow everyone to recoup before you start your last two weeks of work. This will enable you to end your employment on a positive note and avoid disrupting the workweek with a sudden quitting your job.
Additionally, quitting on a Friday gives you the opportunity to say goodbye to your coworkers in person. It also lets you wrap up any outstanding projects or responsibilities before quitting your job, demonstrating your dedication to the company.
In conclusion, quitting your job on a Friday is considered a professional way to exit a company because it allows for a smooth transition, allows you to say goodbye in person, and demonstrates your dedication to the company and your commitment to making the transition as smooth as possible.
11. Provide Ample Notice
Providing ample notice is a crucial aspect of quitting a job professionally. It shows your respect for your employer and gives them enough time to plan for quitting your job. As a result, your employer will also be more likely to provide a positive reference for you in the future, which can be beneficial for your career.
By giving two weeks’ notice, you allow your employer to make necessary arrangements for your replacement, reducing the impact of your departure on the company. By following this and other best practices, you can ensure a professional quitting your job and maintain positive relationships for the future.
12. Be Clear and Concise
During a face-to-face meeting with your manager or HR representative, it is essential to be direct and clear about your intentions to resign. Providing a specific date for your last day of work and keeping the conversation focused on your quitting helps to ensure that your employer fully understands your intentions.
Clarity and conciseness when quitting your job professionally help to avoid confusion and misunderstandings, making the transition better for both parties. In addition, your employer will appreciate your straightforward approach, and it will demonstrate your professionalism and respect for the company.
13. Keep it Positive
Maintaining a positive demeanor during the resignation process shows professionalism and respect for your employer and coworkers. It also helps to preserve positive relationships, which can benefit your future career prospects.
When quitting a job professionally, it is important to focus on what you have learned and accomplished while at the company. Expressing gratitude for your opportunities and experiences can help maintain a positive relationship with your employer and coworkers.
In addition to expressing gratitude when quitting your job professionally, offering to assist with the transition process can also demonstrate a positive attitude. By training a replacement or assisting with projects before leaving, you can help ease the impact of your quit on your employer and coworkers.
14. Maintain Professional Relationships
Maintaining professional relationships after quitting a job is a critical aspect of quitting professionally. When quitting a job, it is essential to keep in touch with your colleagues and superiors, whether through email, LinkedIn, or in-person events.
This can help to keep the lines of communication open and demonstrate your continued respect and appreciation for the relationships you have built.
15. Set Your Employer Up for Success
Setting your employer up for success when quitting your job is an essential part of leaving professionally. By offering to assist with the transition process, providing clear and specific information, and maintaining a positive attitude, you can ensure a smooth transition and demonstrate your respect and appreciation for the company.
One way to set your employer up for success is to offer to train a replacement or assist with projects before you quit your job professionally. This can help to ease the impact of your quitting on the company and ensure that your responsibilities are properly handled. It also demonstrates your dedication to the company and your commitment to making the transition as smooth as possible.
In addition, it is important to provide your employer with a clear and specific date for your last day of work and a detailed explanation of your responsibilities and projects. This helps to ensure that your employer is fully prepared for your departure and can make necessary arrangements for your quit.
16. Write a Goodbye Email to Coworkers
Writing a goodbye email to coworkers is an important way to quit your job professionally. It serves as a final opportunity to thank your coworkers for their support and friendship and inform them of your quitting.
When writing a goodbye email for quitting your job professionally, it is important to keep it positive and professional. Express your gratitude for the experiences and opportunities you have had while working with your coworkers, and mention specific individuals who have made a significant impact on your experience at the company.
In addition, it is important to include information about your last day of work and your contact information in case your coworkers need to reach you in the future. You may also choose to include your plans, such as your next career step, if you feel comfortable doing so. It is also essential to keep your goodbye email concise and to the point to quit your job professionally. Your coworkers are likely to receive many emails, so keeping your message short and easy to read is essential.
17. Don’t Trash-Talk When You Quit Your Job
Trash-talking when quitting your job is not a professional way to exit a company. This behavior can damage your reputation and harm relationships with your former coworkers and employer. Additionally, it can also affect future job prospects, as word of negative comments can spread and impact your ability to find new employment.
In contrast, quitting your job professionally can help maintain positive relationships and reputation with your former coworkers and future employers. This can also demonstrate your maturity and professionalism, making you a desirable candidate for future employment opportunities.
Therefore, avoiding trash-talking and quitting your job professionally is important to maintaining a positive reputation and ensuring success in your future career.
Even if you hate your job, you need to be mindful of the needs of your company and your coworkers. Not everyone has the luxury of quitting, so do not make things worse for them by quitting in an unprofessional manner. Be the best version of yourself until you are finally outside the door after your last day of work.