HOW TO LEAVE YOUR COMPANY GRACEFULLY

By Randi Lewis, Founder, Resume Boutique LLC

You’ve made the decision to move on. You’ve updated and perfected your resume. You’ve interviewed, received an offer or more, and you’ve chosen a new path. How do you tell your company? How much time do you give them? How do you keep the door open either to return or for referral or other business opportunities? These are questions our clients regularly ask. Every situation is different but here are a few basic points to keep in mind:

1. Supervisor First. Tell your immediate supervisor in person first.

2. Be Direct. Tell him or her up front that you have decided to leave the company and where you are going.

3. Give the Reason. In general, the reason you are leaving should be about you and your career, not a criticism of your company.

4. Praise Your Supervisor. You should be telling your supervisor and others with whom you work how much you appreciate the company and what your colleagues have done for you. Discuss specific examples of their leadership, mentoring, and support.

5. Keep Door Open. Where appropriate, find a way to discuss keeping the door open for you to return or for a mutually beneficial way each can refer business or collaborate. Depending upon here you go, this may not be possible.

6. Exit Interviews. Many companies ask for you to participate in a formal or informal exit interview. Be prepared to talk constructively about issues that may have caused you to look elsewhere.

7. Notice. Most protocols require that you give a minimum of two weeks notice. But in some circumstances, in order not to leave your employer in a difficult position, the professional thing

to do would be to offer to remain longer. When in doubt, do the professional thing even if your new employer wants you to start ASAP. Your new employer will respect your concern to do a good job. But remember to think about timing in relation to health insurance.

8. Health Insurance Considerations. When deciding when to leave your company, you should factor in how long, if at all, you are covered by your current firm’s health insurance and when your new company’s health insurance becomes effective. Sometimes a day makes a big difference. You want to revert to costly COBRA benefits only as a last resort.

9. What to Take and How. You may have created documents, Outlook contacts, and other tangible projects or items that you want to take with you. Make sure there are no company policies that would prohibit you from doing so. Similarly, if the company requires you to request permission, go through the proper channels. Follow the rules. Often, your current company will coordinate with your new company to exchange computer-based documents and data.

© 2006 Resume Boutique LLC . All rights reserved. http://www.resumeboutique.com/

For more information, contact Randi Lewis, rlewis@resumeboutique.com, or 410.602.2500.