Maybe you’re ready for a new challenge or there’s something you’re missing in your current role. Whatever the reason, it’s totally okay to want to leave your job in search of something different. Once you’ve made up your mind or gotten a job offer from another company, you should take these steps to ensure you’re leaving on good terms.

Wrap Up Items You Can’t Leave Hanging

If you are an “at-will” employee, it means you or your employer can cancel the employment contract at any time. In this case, you may be asked to leave the company immediately after letting them know you plan to leave. Some companies may do this to ensure there’s no leak of sensitive information or because they think a departing employee could be bad for morale. However, if you are in a good relationship with your manager and company, you will most likely have some time to transition work items and wrap everything up.

On the off chance you won’t be given that transition period, StackCache recommends that you make sure any possible personal information is erased and you have everything you’d need before you lose access. Obviously, it is wrong to take anything that is actually company property or confidential, sensitive material.

Have a Talk with Your Boss

We hope you have a good relationship with your manager and that they are supportive when you give them the news that you’re leaving. Even if you don’t view them positively, we recommend informing your direct supervisor first about the decision. If you tell HR or a colleague that you’ve made the decision to leave and your manager finds out from someone else, they may take it as a lack of respect from you. Also, we recommend keeping it under wraps even on personal social media accounts before your official resignation as you never know who from your network may come across it.

If time allows, we also recommend letting your manager know in person during a one on one. You can give your manager a heads up by asking if you can take a few minutes to talk. If you are a remote employee, request to have a video call so you can deliver the news in real-time. As a last resort, you can write an email to let them know but written words can sometimes be misinterpreted so the safest route is through face-to-face communication.

Keep the Notice Concise and Direct

A few simple sentences are all you need to notify your manager or HR of your intended departure. You might begin by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work with the team. Follow it up with your decision to leave the firm. Your boss might ask you if you would consider a counter-offer, decide on this before you go for the meeting. Remember to keep your tone calm and professional.

Discuss how to share the news with the human resources department and your colleagues. Ask if there are other matters to be discussed. If there are none, thank your boss for their time and end the meeting.

Draft a Resignation Letter

You may contact your human resources representative to find out if you need a formal resignation letter or not. Even if a formal letter is not required, it is good practice to have a letter of resignation prepared before the meeting with your boss. After giving a verbal notice at the meeting, you follow up with a formal letter via email.

Have an End Date in Mind

You should have an exact date in mind. The two weeks’ notice shows professional courtesy, but there are no hard and fast rules about the number of days you have to spend at the firm after giving a two weeks’ notice. Ensure you leave your current job with a good reputation. Give the employer notice of your impending departure and an exact date. Your boss may ask you to train your replacement. Agreeing to do this can be a great way to leave your job on a positive note.

Tell Close Colleagues

After informing your manager and HR, tell your work friends, colleagues, and mentors that you are leaving. Try to do this in person, or send them a personal email. Remember to tell everyone how much you enjoyed working with them and how you hope to keep in touch in the future. Some of your colleagues may have had such a profound impact on your progress, and it would be unfair to them if you do not inform them of your planned exit. The friendships you have formed may benefit you in your new employment and the rest of your professional career. After this, it’s safe to share the news on social media.

Have an Appropriate Reason for Leaving

Your employers and co-workers will ask you about the firm you are going to and why you have decided to leave.  Prepare a good story that presents the reasons for leaving your current job in a positive frame. Stories about leaving to take up a new and exciting challenge or finding the job you have always dreamed about sound very positive. Dwell on the positive side of the job you are leaving so you don’t leave any bad impressions.

Begin the Transition Process

Use the remaining days to complete all unfinished business. Hand over all property of the organization that is in your possession. Write a job description that contains all your current responsibilities that will help your replacement carry on from where you stopped. Offer to help with the replacement process. You may promise to respond to questions about anything that comes up after you are gone.

On your last day, exchange contact information with your co-workers, and remember to add your colleagues on LinkedIn before you leave so that they can give reviews about your time together.