Let’s face it; break-ups are hard, especially for high achievers who do great work and agonize over the response from their boss and team. Nevertheless, quitting your job is part of the career development process. And the reality is that moving into a new role or joining a new company is an excellent way to advance your career. 

Instead of wasting your energy anticipating how your boss will respond to your news, spend your time planning a graceful transition and leaving your team well-positioned to continue without you.  

I know, this is easier said than done. So here are four actionable tips to help you ease your fears and quit your job with grace.

Determine your timeline. 

• Providing adequate notice is respectful and allows for proper communication and a smooth transition of work.
• A typical timeline is providing a two-week notice. Depending on your role in the organization, you may want to extend the timeline.
• Be sure to consider your timeline in relation to any benefits or bonuses that may be coming your way. Clarify compensation, equity, and vesting schedules to ensure you’re not leaving any opportunities on the table.
• Bottom line, the more time you can provide your organization to plan for your departure, the better.

 

Craft a communication strategy. 

• Your boss should be the first person you tell — this will avoid office gossip and allow them to prepare for the necessary follow-up. 
• Set up a meeting to share the news with your manager; it’s best to discuss in person or over the phone, rather than sharing your news via email or text.
• The conversation should be short + succinct: “Thank you for meeting with me today. I wanted to let you know I’ve made the decision to leave, and my last day will be [date of last day].”
• Additionally, this is an ideal opportunity to share your top-level ideas for a seamless transition. 
• After the resignation conversation, follow up with an email recap. Please note that some organizations may require a formal resignation letter. This email should be straightforward and include all the necessary details regarding your last day. 
• Be prepared for follow-up questions regarding your reasons for leaving and your future plans. It’s typical to provide a brief + honest answer. 
• Determine who else you want to talk to directly — do you have a matrix manager or others with whom you collaborate closely? Be sure to ask your manager for time to speak with them before a team announcement. 

 

Build a transition plan. 

• Transitioning your work to other team members is one of the most challenging parts of your departure AND will be the FIRST thing on your manager’s mind. 
• Begin by discussing with your boss who will assume additional responsibilities until a replacement is identified. 
• Think through your key objectives and develop a list of mission-critical actions versus those that are nice to have.
• Create a written plan and a shared folder with all associated documents, files, links, and other necessary materials for the team to continue operating in your absence. 
• Allow enough time for overlap — maybe there’s a weekly task you’re transitioning to a new team member. Can you start to have them take over while you’re there to explain?  

 

Keep in touch! Maintaining relationships is a critical component of exiting with grace.

• Leaving your esteemed colleagues behind is often one of the most challenging things about resigning. Keep in mind that just because you don’t work together every day doesn’t mean you can’t continue your working relationship. 
• Recognize your manager for their support; it’s also considerate to highlight something specific you learned while working together.  
• Your colleagues are valuable to your network now and in the future. Be sure to connect with them on LinkedIn and share your contact information so they can get in touch with you. 

In closing, career changes are a big deal! Whether you’re jumping right into something new or taking some time to catch your breath. So, along with planning your graceful exit, remember to take a few minutes to reflect on how far you’ve come and pop the bubbly to celebrate your new beginning! 

Intentional, Heart-Based Career Planning Is Within Reach

When your job and work align with who you are at the heart of everything (your values, strengths, energy, and desire for impact), intention and quality will always rise to the top. At Flourish Careers, helping you find that sweet spot is what I do best. 

If you’re fed up, exhausted, and contemplating a career change, we help you figure out which metaphorical seeds to plant and which metaphorical weeds to pull to help you find the place where you can flourish. Find the path that’s right for you. 

Want More Career Wisdom? Keep Reading

+ Free Download The Ultimate Resignation + Career Transition Toolkit
+ Spring Cleaning Your Career — Declutter, Simplify, and Energize
+ If Productivity Is A Tree, It’s Rooted In Rest
+ Spring into Heart-Based Leadership

Connect with Me

For more insider stories, quick tips, and #CareerTalk, I invite you to connect with me on Instagram @flourish.careers.