It’s important to have things organized and put in place before resigning from your current position. Whether you are leaving for another role, to take a career break, to do freelance work, or even start your own business, several pieces addressed before putting in your notice.
Clean Up Your Inbox and Save Important Documents
Before putting in your notice, take some time to organize and clean up your emails and save work samples and performance reviews that you may want for future use (so long as you’re not violating any company policies). In an article on Indeed, they write, “Many organizations block your access to email accounts and servers upon your resignation to secure their IT platforms. If appropriate—and not considered company property—try to save any personal work samples or nonproprietary project examples from your time there. This can help you build a portfolio that showcases your work for future employers.” Additionally, while it’s generally not a good idea to keep personal documents on your work computer, many do, so remove any personal files you may have saved.
Have Things in Order Outside of Work
As mentioned before, there are various reasons people may choose to leave their current job. If you are leaving for another position, make sure that is completely finalized before resigning. You would hate for there to be a slight snag toward the end of the hiring process that could potentially leave you job-less, so make sure to “dot the i’s and cross the t’s” before letting your current company know. If you are leaving to take time off for a personal reason, to begin freelancing, or to start your own business, make sure your finances are in order and you have enough savings to comfortably quit your job. Think about what your game plan is for the next 3, 6, and 9 months and financially what you need to live comfortably during that time.
End on a Positive Note
It’s important to leave your current position on good terms. Even if it’s a role you were dissatisfied with, or a manager you didn’t get along with, always be professional and courteous when announcing your resignation. In an article on Forbes, they write, “Burning bridges with a former employer is not advisable (even if the workplace is toxic) as you’ll never know whether you can encounter the company again for another project or opportunity. So, even if your resignation has been finalized, continue performing your job to the best of your ability until your final day. Offer to help train a replacement or assist in transitioning your responsibilities by preparing detailed notes or documents on your duties and ongoing projects. This shows your commitment to ensuring minimal disruption to the team and making sure they can easily pick up where you left off. Even after you leave, maintain professional relationships with your colleagues through platforms like LinkedIn. Having a solid network can benefit you in future endeavors, like job leads, interviews, and offers, as suggested by a 2017 study on online social networks and job search.”