Quitting on good terms: 5 tips for a professional exit

1. Inform your employer  

It is in both your and your employer's interest to let them know as soon as possible that you have accepted a new offer. A face-to-face interview is best: arrange a time when you can talk in private and think in advance about what you will say and what questions your manager is likely to ask you. 

• Prepare a letter formally stating your resignation after you have discussed it in person.   
• Make sure you know how long your notice period is.   
• Always start by thanking your employer for the opportunities you have been given.   
• If you are asked about your reasons for leaving and/or your experience in the job, stay positive and professional and don't go into too much detail. You can arrange an interview later on where you can give more detailed, constructive feedback.  
• If a face-to-face meeting is not possible, a call via Teams or Zoom or a simple phone call is the next best option. Resigning by email is considered rude.  
• Ask your line manager when and how they would like to share your news with the rest of the team. It is a matter of courtesy to give them responsibility for this decision.  

2. Respond to a counter offer  

As employers generally prefer to try to retain good employees rather than hire new ones, you should expect a counteroffer. This could include more money, better benefits, a new role or even a transfer to a different role or department.  

A counteroffer is very flattering. It is a sign that you are appreciated. However, always remember that your response must be a well-considered decision and not just an initial emotional reaction. Our research has shown that many people who accept a counteroffer leave shortly afterwards anyway.  

So ask yourself:  

• Why did I want to leave in the first place? Will the new offer eliminate these frustrations or are they likely to resurface?    
• Would you have gotten a raise or promotion soon if you hadn't decided to leave?   
• Are you convinced that your current employer has a real development plan for your long-term future?   
• If you stay, how are your relationships with your current manager and colleagues likely to be affected by the fact that you wanted to leave?   
• What will you miss out on if you don't accept the new offer?   

If you are considering staying, make sure that your employer is prepared to agree to the counter offer in writing, with full details of the terms that have been offered to you personally.  

3. End of the notice period and handover  

After you have given notice, you will need to discuss the length of your notice period. As a rule, your current employer will want you to stay as long as possible and your future new employer will be keen for you to start immediately. Even if you can't achieve your desired outcome, it's important that you stay focused and stay until the end of your notice period. Of course, if you try to leave earlier without an agreement, you could jeopardize any severance pay (or future references).   

In the interest of goodwill and maintaining a good relationship, you should definitely try to be as flexible as possible with your current employer - you never know when you might bump into them again in your career.   

Once you have made a decision, you should take the following steps to ensure a smooth handover of your position:  

• Ask your line manager how you can best support them in handing over your work to other colleagues and/or your future successor.  
• Identify which projects and tasks need your urgent attention and list all the projects you can complete within the notice period.  
• Even if you are not asked to do so, start drawing up a detailed handover document that will enable others to take over your outstanding projects and tasks. Think carefully about what your employees need to know in your absence.  
• Find solutions for how the rest of your team can cover for you at short notice and make suggestions as to which team members can take over some of your tasks.  
• If you need to hand over certain client relationships or operational tasks, arrange some face-to-face meetings to discuss these in detail with the right person.     
• If necessary, you can also offer your employer support in recruiting your successor. 

4. Think about how you can stay in touch

Think about who you want to work with now and who you want to stay in touch with after you leave the company, both privately and professionally. There are measures you can take before you leave to maintain contact. 

• Enter a personal e-mail address where you can be reached.
• Get in touch with your soon-to-be ex-colleagues via LinkedIn or other relevant platforms.

When making contact, make sure that you always remain professional. Avoid criticizing your former employer or comparing the conditions at your new job with those at your old one.  

5. Lay the foundation for a smooth start  

Even before you've left your old job, there are things you can do to make a good impression for your new role and give yourself a head start on the new challenges that lie ahead:  

• Make contact with suitable new colleagues on social media and accept any invitations that come your way.  
• Ask your new supervisor if there is anything you can read or do to prepare for your new role.   
• Do some general research about your new job and your new employer.   
• Start planning your new route to work.   

And finally - stay calm and confident. Starting a new job can feel daunting, but remember that you have been chosen by your new employer as the best person for the job out of many applicants. 

Source: www.robertwalters.ch