Resigning Professionally Part 2: Ending on a Good Note

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In the first part of this article, we discussed how to tell your boss you are resigning and what to do if you receive a counter offer. Now that you have handled those difficult conversations, it’s time to focus on how to end your tenure in a positive way. It’s essential to make the most of your last few weeks in the office as your actions during this period will leave a lasting impression on your colleagues and senior management.

Taking Care of Business

During your final weeks, it is important to remain focused and motivated. Even though you may be excited about your new job or upcoming break, it’s important to continue performing at a high level. Lynn Taylor, a workplace expert specializing in boss and employee dynamics, recommends staying enthusiastic and upbeat, and remaining on good terms with everyone in the company. Your performance during this time will be noted, so it’s essential to take care of business until your final day.

In addition to maintaining a positive attitude, it’s also important to ensure an effective handover. This may involve documenting processes, training new staff, writing manuals, and attending meetings to provide final updates on projects and outstanding tasks. By doing this, you can ensure that your colleagues are well equipped to handle your responsibilities once you’re gone.

Meeting with Human Resources

Before you depart, you’ll likely have an exit interview with the HR team. This meeting is an opportunity for HR to better understand your reasons for leaving and flag any issues that need attention to improve the employee experience moving forward. During this meeting, it’s important to be honest about improvements that can be made, without being negative or bitter about your experience.

Lynn Taylor suggests explaining why you’re leaving in an upbeat, forward-thinking way. Even if you had a less than perfect experience, it’s important not to speak negatively about your current employer. Remember, you’re starting a new professional relationship, and your future employer may question the damage you could do to their reputation in the future if they hear you speaking negatively.

During the exit interview, you should also confirm all outstanding issues regarding the payment of superannuation and annual leave entitlements. Employees often have annual leave accrued, so make sure that you are compensated for that.

Saying Goodbye

When it’s time to say goodbye, it’s important to do so on a positive note. Personalized thank-you notes to anyone who has gone above and beyond to help you during your time at the company are a great way to show your appreciation. Additionally, sending a general message to your team or division with news of your departure and providing a way to stay in touch, such as adding them on LinkedIn (if you haven’t already connected), is another professional way of maintaining relationships.

You can also leave a positive impression by thanking people in person and reaching out to senior leadership for advice or mentoring before you go. This shows that you value the relationships you’ve built during your tenure and are committed to maintaining them.

If there is a goodbye dinner or drinks, it’s important to maintain professional behavior and not get (too) drunk. While it may be tempting to celebrate leaving a less than perfect work environment, it’s essential to stay professional until your last shift is over. Remember, your actions during your final days will leave a lasting impression, so make sure it’s a positive one.

Conclusion

Resigning from a job can be a challenging and emotional experience. However, by following these tips, you can ensure that you end your tenure on a positive note. Remember to remain focused and motivated, to be honest but positive during your exit interview, and to show your appreciation for those who have helped you during your time at the company

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