Saying Goodbye Gracefully

Saying goodbye to friends and colleagues can be a difficult and stressful process. Although you may be eager to move on to your new role, you have to make sure you hand in your notice properly and don’t burn bridges - you never know what the future holds.

Make the move with grace and dignity. Handle yourself professionally, and try to accommodate reasonable requests from your employer.

1. Draft a resignation letter.

• Advise your employer that you are giving formal notice of your resignation effective from the appropriate date.
• Express your appreciation for the opportunities, support and successes you have over the years.
• Reassure your employer that you will do whatever you can to make the transition as smooth as possible (e.g. train team members, hand over projects, etc).

2. Make an appointment with your manager

• Prepare for this meeting as you would any interview. Explain that you are leaving and try to anticipate what your boss will say, and prepare responses to these questions.
• Most employers will say that they’re disappointed to lose you and wish you success wherever you’re going.
• However, you do need to prepare yourself that you may be confronted with anger, desperate pleas to stay, guilt trips, or may even be asked to leave immediately.
• Stay calm and express appreciation for the opportunities and successes you’ve had.
• Make sure to stress that your decision is firm and final and that you are committed to your new employer.
• Keep the meeting short and be professional, polite and courteous. Remember - you don’t want to burn bridges.

3. Exit interviews

These interviews are increasingly popular and usually take place in the final week of employment, or shortly thereafter. Although attendance is voluntary, these meetings are often beneficial for the person leaving and the employer.

The purpose of exit interviews is to help the company improve and give you some closure as you leave. If you do choose to participate, prepare yourself for the questions you’re likely to be asked.

Be aware of open-ended questions looking for suggested improvements to the business. If they touch an area where you feel there’s been some ill-treatment, keep your answers brief and make sure your criticism is constructive.

Some typical exit interview questions are:

• Why are you leaving? Main reasons – personal, professional, specific issue?
• Would you work for this company again? If not, why?
• What did you like/dislike about your time here?
• What would you change about your job if you could?
• What would you change about the company?
• Would/will you recommend this company to others? Why?
• What does your new job offer you that we cannot?

4. Future employers

Finally, never speak negatively about your old company, especially if you’re still looking for a new job. Resist the temptation to share your bad experiences with your new employers or interviewers.

Negative comments about your old company suggests to employers that you’re carrying emotional baggage and make them worried that you might say similar things about them in the future. Neither is a desirable trait and it can ruin your interview chances.

Remember: If you do everything right the transition from your old to new job will be relatively easy. What’s more, because you’ve handled yourself well you will be able to retain excellent references that you can continue to use throughout your career.