The Right Way to Leave a Job

Here are The Monster Blog's suggestions for the right way to leave a job:

• Give proper notice -- a minimum of two weeks is expected in most industries.
• Don’t mentally check out before your last day; instead, in a final show of commitment to your organization, help to identify and/or train your successor.
• Don’t burn any bridges.

Overall, I think this is a decent list. That said, here's my on these three suggestions:

• To me, two weeks is fine for both you and the employer. Personally, that's what I've always offered when I've resigned. If the employer wants less (like for you to leave immediately), then that's fine (by the way, you should be prepared for this financially just in case it happens.) If the employer wants more (like for you to stay three weeks, a month, etc.), then I'd say it's up to you and your new employer. If you want to stay longer and it's fine with the new employer (you don't have to start the new job for some time), then do so. But I don't think there's a moral (or even business) obligation to stay longer.

• It's hard not to check out. Personally, I concentrate on letting others know where projects stand, how to do certain tasks, etc. For most positions, this takes only a few days at most. I've never been asked to move up a major deadline and get it done before I left, but if I was asked to do the impossible (like finish a task that was to be completed in two months within the next two weeks), I'd politely point out the impossibility of the issue and decline the assignment. In other words, I suggest you be accommodating, but don't let the employer pressure you into doing something a normal employee for the company wouldn't be expected to do.

• I agree 100% with the "don't burn bridges" suggestion. Heaven knows most of us have been tempted to do so, but it's ALWAYS better to leave on a high note. The world really is a small place, and someone who burns a bridge usually gets burned himself too. I've resisted the temptation to leave in a mass of flames on a couple occasions and in both cases I had later situations that came out positive because I left on a good note. I have NEVER heard of a case where a burned bridge benefited the "burn-er", and I will never leave a job in that way if I can help it.

Do you agree? What is your take on these three?

Comments

[Strick]

-- 2 weeks seems like pretty short notice for a professional position, unless this is a very large company with many others in like positions that could absorb your tasks. Otherwise, it seems to take 4-6 weeks to find a solid replacement and get them started. I don't think you "owe" it to the company, I just think that is one way not to put your supervisor on the spot and thus burn a bridge. I once put off a requested start date so as to do this and, instead of being annoyed, my new supervisor was impressed with the respect I was showing my old supervisor/position.

-- checking out seems easy to fight off when you realize the light at the end of that tunnel is near...Do your best to finish strong and show your appreciation that you're dumping them before they dumped you :)

-- It is nice to have an employer who would want you back if you get laid off, one who may give you a great recommendation years down the road, or one who could become your new best client because of their respect for/comfort with you.

[Sara]

I work for a small company and if I quit with two weeks notice, I don't think it would make them angry, but it would be hard on them. Hiring someone for a position that's not entry-level or has any level of specialization often takes at least a month, and then longer to train that person. If I were to leave, I would give them as much notice as possible (6 weeks?), give them positive reasons I'm leaving (such as I want to try a different industry/city), and make it as easy as I could for them to transition. Burning bridges is bad and going the extra mile to make your exit as little a burden as possible is something people won't forget when you call them up for a reference or you're looking for a job again in the future.

[Kevin]

My first job after college was a joke, so I quickly started looking for something new. I got an offer in early August, gave them 2 weeks notice which had me out of there around the 20th and they were royally pissed as Aug 31st was their inventory date and they desperately wanted me to stay. However, I was due to start the new job on the 24th, and not wanting to disappoint the new employer, I declined.

The owner of the company didn't talk to me for the remaining 2 weeks and his wife had only minimal contact with me on what was absolutely necessary to transition the work to her in the meantime until they found my replacement. I worked as hard as I could those last few days so as not to leave a big mess for someone else to clean up. So clearly, I satisfied points #1 and 2, but as far as that bridge goes, I think it went up in flames.

In reality, it just solidified my opinion of the owner and reinforced that I made the correct decision in leaving the company.

[Lauren]

I agree with this list entirely...I actually gave 6 weeks notice to my current job (my last day is next week) because I'm going back to grad school, not leaving for another company. They are trying to replace me still (they hired 1 person and apparently are looking at hiring 1-2 more), so I'm doing my best to get everything in good order for my replacements, who may not be on board before my last day. I also plan to stay very positive in my exit interview--they already said I could come back anytime I wanted, and I want to make sure not to burn bridges with anyone here!

[Laura]

I put my two weeks notice at a small company on a Friday. When I came Monday, I was immediately let go. I was glad we had our finances in place. Now I'm enjoying my '2nd week of vacation'. :)

[Trent D.]

If I were leaving my current "entry-level" position, I'd offer 2 weeks notice.

For upper management or "key" positions, I think 4 weeks should be the minimum.

[The Success Professor]

I think a better rule of thumb for the amount of notice you need to give is based on the length of your pay periods. If you get paid monthly, then a one month notice would be better (like Strick suggests above). If you get paid every two weeks, than two weeks should be fine. It also depends a little bit on how long you have been with the company.

Don't burn your bridges is a very wise piece of advice. When I was young I left a company four times. I left in a good way each time, so when my situation changed and I wanted a job again, it was very easy to get hired (most times I cam back in at a hire position.

[Mike Hunt]

Remember as soon as you resign you become a 'dead man walking' and even though you work hard you many not get the same amount done. That's why it's so easy to check out.

Regarding bridges, try not to burn them but accept that they may be burnt just by the very act of you leaving, politely or not.

-Mike