It may not seem like it, but right now, in the middle of a pandemic, is a great time to look for a new job. That’s good news for millions of workers who were laid off or furloughed in the early days of the COVID-19 crisis. It’s equally good for workers who stayed put in their current jobs to maintain a little security during a highly unpredictable time, but the caveat is that it’s more important now than ever to leave your job on good terms. Quitting the wrong way could be disastrous.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ June jobs report, employers added 4.8 million jobs, the highest monthly figure since the government started keeping records in 1939, and the national unemployment rate fell to 11.1%. Also, according to the BLS’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary for May, job openings increased to 5.4 million on the last business day of May. That goes along with the quits rate rising to 1.6% while the layoffs and discharges rate fell to 1.4%. That quits rate is down significantly from historic highs seen in 2018, but it’s also the first increase in the number of people voluntarily quitting their jobs since early 2019, a signal that workers may be starting to feel comfortable leaving their current position for new opportunities.
Most jobs don’t last an entire career, and the decision to quit your job can come about for any number of reasons: a better job opportunity, a move to another city or your spouse’s transfer, an unreasonable boss, a need for growth, or a better salary than what you can get at your current company. After providing adequate notice when resigning — informing your manager first, of course — the way a professional handles his or her last two weeks can impact their future career prospects, and it’s especially important right now when the COVID-19 situation remains tenuous. That means going out in a blaze of glory is best left for another day.
“Spectacular displays of resignations are familiar throughout pop culture,” notes Sasha Truckenbrod, branch manager for Robert Half in Madison. She says respondents to a Robert Half survey cited some over-the-top resignations they’ve heard of, such as baking an “I quit” cake, throwing a brick through the window, or creating a send-off music video.
“While these tactics seem cathartic, especially if the reason for them is that you dislike your job or boss, consider the long-term consequences and resist the temptation,” advises Truckenbrod. “The general rule of thumb when quitting a job: no malice, no pranks, and no stunts. As tempting as it is to make a dramatic departure, it’s best to exit your job with grace.”
Here are seven tips for making a positive and lasting impression during your final days on the job:
Wrap up projects — Resist the urge to mentally check out during the two-week “lame duck” period leading up to the last day at work. Rather than slack off during your wrap-up period, use this time to cement your reputation as a responsible professional. Tie up loose ends on outstanding assignments. Make sure your colleagues have all the tools, access, and instructions necessary to complete any work you won’t be able to wrap up. In short, be a diligent, dedicated, and highly productive contributor to the end. Leaving behind any messes can tarnish the good professional reputation you worked so hard to establish.
Say goodbye to colleagues — Email a final goodbye message to colleagues. Keep it positive and include your personal email address if you want colleagues to keep in touch. Record an outgoing voicemail message letting callers know you’ve left the company and give them an alternative contact at your organization. Draft a similar auto-response for incoming email messages.
Pack your personal belongings and clean up your workstation — Take home all your personal belongings except what you need through your last day. On your computer, collect your contacts and move any personal documents into a cloud drive or send them to your personal email. Clear your browser history. Make sure your physical desk is spotless and leave all the office supplies and company property behind.
Meet with human resources to learn about any continuing benefits — This seems obvious but in the transition from one job to another, it can be easy to forget about the benefits you already have when you’re focused on the new ones you’ll be getting. Don’t forget to ask about transitioning any company-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s to your new employer or rolling them over into an IRA, or whether you have portability with your company-sponsored life insurance plans, for instance.
Have an exit interview — Participate in an exit interview with human resources if you’re given the opportunity. If such a meeting isn’t scheduled, ask for a one-on-one with your supervisor. Give more positive than negative feedback. Use tact and diplomacy, knowing that your constructive criticism could help to improve the workplace.
Return any company property such as a computer or phone — Schedule time for the final hour to hand off security badges, computers, and other equipment.
Go out to lunch or happy hour with colleagues and friends from work — Let co-workers organize a going-away party or an after-hours get-together. If none is forthcoming, invite close colleagues for a goodbye lunch. Leave on a high note.
Okay, you’re thinking. But that’s all for when you’ve enjoyed your job and your co-workers. What about if you spent the better part of most workdays wishing a giant hole would open in the earth and swallow the office whole?
There actually are times when it’s not only reasonable but possibly advisable to burn your bridges with an employer, Peter Harris, a career and marketing expert, wrote in a 2016 article for the Huffington Post-Canada. “You’re likely to going to have to work for a jerk or two on [your] career journey, and you know what? It’s okay to call them on it. And sometimes it’s even preferable. You can burn your bridges without surrendering the high ground. This isn’t advice to be rude or unprofessional at work. The best thing you can do for your career is to work hard and be as nice as possible to everyone. But it is okay to leave bad jobs and toxic managers. And it is actually important to let employers know this is why you are leaving. Bad managers cost companies money, resources, time, and talent. There is no need to be afraid of them or their impact on our future success. They need to be called out.
“Oh, but not in a job interview,” Harris adds. “Remember to always speak positively about all of your past work experience in interviews. It’s a little disingenuous, but it’s how the game is played. Expressing negativity in an interview will only reflect poorly on you and hurt your chances of being hired.”
“It’s as important to leave a good last impression as it is to make a good first impression,” concludes Truckenbrod. “You should be remembered for your positive contributions, not as the one who made a scene on their last day. You never know when you may come across current colleagues and managers again — you may even work together in the future.”
Click here to sign up for the free IB Ezine — your twice-weekly resource for local business news, analysis, voices, and the names you need to know. If you are not already a subscriber to In Business magazine, be sure to sign up for our monthly print edition here.
