So, what does it mean to leave well or not leave well in this case? You shouldn’t leave your team and his company in a bad spot—so bad that the CEO remembers it for a long time. You should not be too excited about a new job and sad that you didn’t do the important work of wrapping up the last one.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with leaving. In fact, it’s often the best way to move up in your job. But it’s possible to leave well, and it’s not helpful if you don’t.
According to Forbes, you should do the following before you quit:
1. First, tell your boss
This may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often a manager finds out about a resignation before they’ve been told officially. Even though it might be tempting to tell your close coworkers or friends at work first, telling your boss first shows professionalism, respect, and honesty. By telling your boss first, you include them in your plans for what will happen after you quit.
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2. Give enough notice and make plans for a smooth change.
Giving your boss enough notice before you quit is the first step to leaving a job well. Startups move quickly, but you must give two weeks’ notice. Suppose you have equity that you’ll keep and still believe in the startup’s goal. In that case, it’s more important than ever to “do the dishes” and get a head start on the hiring process by offering to write a job description for the team based on your unique experience in the role.
Documenting is also important when leaving an early-stage startup, where one can hold huge amounts of information and knowledge without proper recording. Do your best to keep track of your tasks, duties, and ongoing projects during your notice period. Tell your coworkers and the person taking over your job about this. This amount of planning shows that you care about the company’s success, even after you quit, and the documents you leave behind will make your legacy last.
3. Don’t burn your bridges; keep it positive.
No matter why you’re leaving your job, it’s best to stay positive and helpful until your last day. Your last weeks should be a time to think about what you’ve learned and be thankful for the chances you’ve had. Develop a sense of gratitude for the things you’ve learned, the skills you’ve picked up, and the people you’ve met instead of the comments, injuries, or complaints that threaten to take over your life. These things your coworkers will remember about you, which could lead to chances for you in the future. Remember that the business world is much smaller than you think, and the startup world is even smaller. Think about how the company you’re leaving could become a partner or a customer in your new job.
4. Don’t forget about exit procedures
Many people think that exit talks are just something HR has to do. That could be true at big companies but not at start-ups. You might feel like you shouldn’t make waves or say anything too harsh, but you should say what’s on your mind. Say what you think about your team, how the company treats its customers, partners, and workers, and how the market is doing. It was all. Don’t be angry, throw around rumors, or make personal attacks.
Do more than criticize. Get ready for the interview. Bring your ideas. “I think XYZ doesn’t work. If I were you, I would think about adding someone with such-and-such skills to the tech team.” Develop ideas that might help solve the problems you see.
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Anisa is a writer who focuses on career and lifestyle topics in an effort to motivate both job searchers and employers towards greater fulfillment in their professional lives.
Reach me at anisa@jobstore.com.