The Exit Strategy

Most of us have been there before. The job is unbearable. You hate going into work every day. And finally, you determine that it’s time to switch jobs. Calls are made to recruiters. Resumes are submitted. You network, network, network. Then one day, the phone rings, and the dance begins. Conversations, interviews, negotiations, background checks, until finally … you are victorious! Your offer letter is in hand. But before calling it a day, celebrating and moving on, it is time to execute an exit strategy for a smooth transition out. Follow these rules to exit your current job on a high note and set the foundation for you to be successful in your next one.

FILE BACK-UP

To the extent legally allowable, take whatever work product of yours you can with you. This might be a good time to check that employee handbook you were handed on your first day and never looked at to make sure you are complying with company policy and, thereby, can avoid an unwelcome lawsuit.

In this day and age, most of your files will be electronic. Buy an external hard drive (if you don’t already have one), which are exceedingly cheap nowadays, and download. If possible, you will want to take your address book from Outlook in the form of a “.PST” file so that you can just upload it again when you start your new job. This is probably one of the key files that you will want to take with you so that you continue to have contact information for your business network. It is probably also a good idea to take your Outlook folders in the form of a “.PST” as well just so you have them in case you need to dig back for information or leads. While the exact mechanics of creating a “.PST” file are beyond the scope of this article, be assured, it is a relatively simple process. Look the directions up on Outlook, and it will walk you through step-by-step.

Remember to back-up your files BEFORE you give notice in case your company freezes you out of your computer immediately.

GIVING NOTICE

Two weeks notice is normally standard practice so make sure your new employer understands what kind of timing they are dealing with for your start. You may also want to slide an extra week in for vacation or time-off if you can swing it.

Before telling ANYONE about your new job, except for maybe your significant other, make sure you tell your boss. Also, let your new employer know not to tell anyone else until you have given notice and make sure you notify them when you do. The key here is to try and not burn any bridges and to make a graceful exit. Having your boss find out from someone else that you are leaving is a sure way to burn a bridge.

As soon as practicable from the point you have an offer letter in hand and have determined that you are leaving, set aside some time to talk privately with your boss. If you know you can get him or her early in the morning or in the evening, try doing this, so there are less co-workers around. Explain firmly that you are 1) giving your two weeks notice, 2) let him or her know where you are going and in what role, 3) give several reasons why you made your decision (try and focus on the opportunity at hand and avoid anything negative about your current role – that is if you have any concern about not burning bridges), and 4) thank him or her for the opportunity. It is also a good idea to shut the door on a counter in this conversation. You can be sure that, if they give you a higher number and you stay, your loyalty will be in question, and you will be a target in the event of any future downsizing.

After giving notice to your boss, come up with a plan, together, for how the news should be conveyed to your co-workers and the wider industry, if necessary.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Get your new contact information (email, address, phone numbers) ahead of time, if possible, before you leave your current job. A couple of days before your last day, send an e-mail to your network (make sure everyone is bcc’ed) with your new contact information so that key business contacts know how to get in touch with you once you are in your new job. If you can’t get the information ahead of time, send it to your network immediately after you start your new job.

There are a few other things you might want to consider doing right before you leave. Set up an “out of office” message on Outlook indicating 1) your departure, 2) who someone might get in touch with for any outstanding matters related to your previous job, and 3) contact information for how someone might reach you. Record a voicemail on your office line letting people know that you are no longer with the company. Look into transferring your old business cell phone number to your new business cell phone.

WORKLOAD

Give 100 percent to your current job until the moment you leave. That means complete pending assignments to the greatest extent possible and make sure that there is an orderly transition of your workload. While there might be the temptation to slack-off after you have given notice, that is a very short-sighted mentality. Don’t let the final stretch diminish your reputation.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Make sure that you are in close touch with your HR department to take care of any administrative items associated with your departure. These would include COBRA insurance coverage, final paychecks including payment for salary held in arrears and cash-out of vacation time and exit interviews.

INSURANCE

If you have superior health coverage in your current job, you may also want to take advantage of this before it runs out. An example might be getting a pair of glasses made if your vision insurance happens to be better and offers a discount.

DEPARTURE NOTICE TO CO-WORKERS

Of course, you will have face-to-face conversations with your nearest and dearest co-workers regarding your departure. But for those other co-workers who you respected and worked closely with, but may not necessarily have been close friends with, send a nice e-mail letting them know that you enjoyed working with them. Odds are you will come across these people again in your career, and it can never hurt to maintain a relationship with someone who you respect professionally.

As a personal preference, I tend to avoid sending a blanket email to the office mailing list letting people know how great it was to work here and how you will see everyone again, blah, blah, blah … It is my feeling that these e-mails tend to ring hollow and seem contrived and egotistical. Having personalized contact with the people that you truly care about, in my opinion, is just a better more meaningful way to go.

FAREWELL PARTY

If you were popular or important enough to warrant a farewell party (don’t hold one for yourself!), exercise graciousness and moderation (if drinking is involved). Don’t get drunk and blast everyone you didn’t like and complain about everything that was wrong with your job and company. Control yourself during this last final event, humbly accept congratulations and thank everyone for the gesture.

Take care of the steps above, and you can leave your job confident that you have maintained your relationships and set the foundation for a smooth transition into your next job. Now it’s time for the real celebration to begin!


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