You’ve landed a new job, or simply recognize it’s time to transition. There are things you need to do right away to ensure that everything proceeds smoothly. After all, the GTA is a small place, so who needs to burn bridges. Here are 5 actionable items to consider before you tell your boss that you’re leaving.
Prepare
There are a number of areas to prepare in advance:
- Prepare for a counter offer – remember, however, that once your company’s panic wears off at the thought of you leaving, you’ll always be viewed as a flight risk. That’s why it’s wise to refuse a counter offer.
- Prepare to answer questions about why you’re leaving – be gracious and classy. Don’t point fingers – you may need to get a reference letter down the road, or even return to your employer.
- Think of 2 or 3 things that you liked about the company so that you can state them with confidence. Also consider assessing where you thought you delivered for the organization and how your opportunity to learn skill a, b, or c helped you achieve your goals. You’ll use this information during your conversation with your boss, but also in your resignation letter.
Write a Great Resignation Letter
Write a professional resignation letter that continues to maintain or build your relationship with your employer. Even if you didn’t connect with your manager, find something positive to say. Remember to review your employee manual or letter of offer to understand how much notice you need to give.
Read: “Things to Avoid in a Resignation Letter” for more tips on crafting an effective letter of resignation.
Remove Personal Information
Remove personal information or correspondence from both your phone and computer. Make sure to take copies of performance reviews as they could help you secure future employment. And it goes without saying, leave all proprietary data and documents alone.
Wrapping Up
Before you quit, think carefully about what you need to wrap up. You want to leave your team and company in as good a place as possible. Planning your final days allows you to present a strategy to your boss when you resign, showing that you’re still committed to helping the company. It also allows you to take the lead on what you’re prepared to do in your final two weeks. Write detailed notes about your daily duties and responsibilities. Add any tips and tricks you've picked up along the way. Create a sheet of logins and key contacts. Decide if you’re willing to help train whomever steps into the role.
The 30, 60, 90 Day Plan
Regardless of why you’re leaving, you’ll likely be flooded with emotions when you do walk out the door for the last time. Prepare for this by writing down goals when you’re in a reflective, analytical and focused state of mind. Zero in on what you want to achieve at the 30, 60 and 90 day mark in your new role. This will help you feel more confident and in control during the transition.
Read: “Career Planning for Accountants – The 1, 3 and 5 Year Mark” for career planning insight.
Key Takeaways
When you do decide to leave your accounting or finance job, there are a number of things that you can do to maintain your professional brand and ease the transition. Prepare before you meet with your boss. Decide if you’ll entertain a counter offer. Jot down 2 or 3 positive things about the organization, including what you learned and how it helped you succeed. Write a professional, classy resignation letter. Remove all personal information and performance reviews from your computer and phone. Think carefully about how you can leave the organization in as good a place as possible. Finally, set goals for the 30, 60 and 90 day mark to facilitate a sense of control and purpose. There’s no reason to quit your job, burn a bridge and damage your professional brand. With a little advance planning and a determination to be classy, you can make the experience as positive as possible for everyone involved.
Your Next Step
No one should walk the job search or hiring road alone. At Clarity Recruitment we help others realize their success through a process that marries proprietary technology with unwavering commitment. Contact us today to take control of your career, or to partner with us to hire well.
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