Top five dos and don’ts when quitting your job

Leaving a job can be both a frightening and an exhilarating experience. There are few guarantees that things will end up well, but also a sense of freedom enabling us to pursue our dreams. Here are some tips for making the transition smoother, while saying good bye with grace to your company:

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• Resist the urge to make a mean comment while on your way out.  I spend weeks composing in my mind a short speech peppered with sarcasm that I was going to tell my boss. But when the last day of work came, I paused for a second and though: “This is something my seven years old niece would do; it’s childish”. So instead of being bitter, I actually wrote a thank you e-mail to her, expressing my gratitude for the lessons she taught me. Surprisingly enough, the same day I received a small, but much appreciated bonus payment. Moral of the story? Always end work relationships in a positive note.

• Avoid bragging about your next job even if you sealed the deal with another company.  No one knows what future holds and in a time when economy is wobbling, many people quickly find themselves in the position of begging for their previous post.

• Do set an example for your coworkers. Tell them it’s scary to step out their comfort zone, but it’s also the only way to move forward in life. Telling others words of encouragement will make you instantly feel better.

• The last day of work shouldn’t be a free pass to procrastinate. Yes, it’s OK to have a laid back approach and watch funny kitten videos more than usual; nobody expects the opposite. Still, by meeting deadlines even in this moment, you will be perceived as a loyal employee, that later will bring a great recommendation letter.

• Import work contacts to a personal mail address and say something nice to your collaborators. After all, those people were virtually by your side day in and day out, not to mention the highly potential they represent for landing a new job. Don’t go overboard with cheesy compliments. Be polite, but try to sneak a bit of humor. It’s not the end of the world; you’re just changing jobs.