I still remember the emotional rollercoaster I experienced when I quit my first professional job.
Preparing in advance what to say had my stomach in knots. I spent days anxiously distracted, worrying how my boss would react and whether I could leave on good terms.
With my hands shaking, heart racing and stomach still in knots, I approached my boss with my resignation letter in hand. Afterward, mixed emotions surged my mind. Relief for completing the dreaded task. Excitement for the new challenges that awaited me. And, a bit of worry that I made the right decision.
Here are six steps to help you confidently manage a professional breakup.
Update Your Resume and LinkedIn
Finding a job is always easier when you’re already employed. By regularly updating your LinkedIn profile, you not only reduce the stress of a last-minute job search, but you also increase your chances of attracting new opportunities.
To help your resume stand out, highlight measurable achievements as well as job responsibilities. Many companies use artificial intelligence (AI) to initially screen resumes. By customizing yours for each position and incorporating relevant keywords and phrases from the job description, you can increase your chances of getting noticed.
Save Work That’s Not Proprietary
Before saving copies of your work, understand what’s permissible to keep. You can retain items you contributed to that are publicly available, such as press releases and news articles. Avoid saving data-sensitive or proprietary documents that could violate company policies or confidentiality agreements.
Write A Letter of Resignation and Present It Live
A resignation letter serves as a formal way to notify your employer that you’re leaving your position. Maintaining a professional tone, your letter should state your intent to resign. Depending on your situation, you can share your reason for leaving, express appreciation for the opportunities during your employment and offer assistance with the transition process.
Consider typing and printing, then signing with a pen and scanning it, so it’s saved digitally for your records. Then, provide the original printed and signed version to your employer.
I recommend scheduling a few minutes with your manager to give notice in person or at least over video. After sharing that I’m moving on, I always follow up with gratitude for my time with the company and reinforcement that I will provide the same high level of commitment and support through my last day. Then, present the letter of resignation which will go in your file.
If you signed a noncompete agreement, make sure you understand the terms before giving notice of your resignation.
Create a Transition Document
Do right by your team in outlining the work, projects, business partners and/or prospects you’re working on or working toward. List the key stakeholders, what you’ve done, what should be done by whoever is backfilling your work, links/attachments to relevant materials and/or details worth sharing. A simple document for organization and setting up others for success goes a long way and can be a testament to your work ethic and dependable reputation.
Keep Nurturing Connections
Maintaining professional relationships is key in expanding your network and strengthening your brand. Regardless of why you’re leaving, there’s nothing to gain by burning bridges with leaders or colleagues. Do not send a mass email to everyone in your organization notifying them of your upcoming departure. If you intend to stay connected with people, share your contact information in a private correspondence.
Take Time To Decompress
If possible, take some time off in between jobs to rest, reset and take good care of yourself before your fresh new start.
Resigning from a job, especially your first one, is never easy. But it’s an important step in your professional growth. By handling the process with professionalism, respect, and strategic planning, you can leave on good terms and set yourself up for success in the next phase of your career.