There is nothing more exciting than getting a new opportunity! When it allows you to leave a job, you may hate it’s the best feeling in the world. However, it’s crucial not to burn bridges as it’s a small world with social media and job networking sites. So I am sharing with you 5 tips that will help you avoid burning bridges.
Give Notice (2 weeks is preferred)
I know, who wants to give two weeks when you can start your new job sooner than that… However, what if the shoe was on the other foot? What if you walk into your new job and the person you were replacing left without giving notice so nothing was organized and you had no notes? It could happen, and no one wants to be greeted by karma at their new job. However, there are situations when it’s just not possible to give two weeks’ notice, or the employer may even ask you to leave the same day depending on your job and responsibilities. So the rule of thumb to live by is when you can, you should.
Leave Things in Order
If you can’t give two weeks’ notice, it’s nice to leave things in order and with documentation. It is helpful for your manager, who will be able to help your replacement transition into the new role. I have started new jobs, and it would have been great to have documentation and or notes on items that were left behind. When you start a new job, it’s already stressful trying to remember names and learn the company culture, and feeling lost in your role with what was left behind is not a good feeling. If you can’t give two weeks and or assist with training your replacement, living detail documentation is the next best thing.
Help with the training your replacement
To help with training your replacement, this doesn’t have to mean that you are still with the company, but going through the training material and updating it helps. Helping to ensure the training material is up to date may be considered going above and beyond, but does it hurt anything to go the extra mile.
Don’t make a scene
Don’t use quitting your job as an opportunity to stick it to your employer. I’ve seen a few departures that I’m sure they regretted the way they left maybe not that day or week, but eventually, I would like to hope they realized it was a better way to leave. I know jobs can be stressful, and people can be annoying, but don’t allow anyone to make you step out of character of being a professional.
Keep it Professional
I can’t say this enough, but it’s a small world. You don’t want to find out how small it is by being connected from someone from your last employer that you just knew you would never see again, and then you do. So it has to be said don’t use your last day to send nasty grams (emails) or give people a piece of your mind. Some things are better left unsaid or maybe save them for therapy sessions, either way, keep it professional!
These 5 tips will help you keep relationships intact by not burning bridges by being unprofessional.
Have you ever witnessed someone burn a bridge that later came back to bit them?
Tiffany
