Planning your job exit strategy

With an uptick in the new economy and people being added to the job force daily, you might be thinking about leaving your company.

Exiting a job and launching into another opportunity requires dealings with current and future co-workers. Like any good relationship, what you put into it is what your return will resemble.

So, as you approach a job change, consider how you would ideally exit your workplace. Keep in mind that how you leave a job is as importance, if not more so, than how you arrived at the new one.

Carefully plan your exit and make a transition that would bring a smile to your family and friends as well as your future employer.

There are several important dos and don’ts.

Don’ts

■ Do not leave on bad terms by depleting your sick leave or being uncooperative in wrapping up tasks and projects.

■ Do not treat anyone badly regardless of their behavior. Your reputation is important and this will reflect poorly on you.

■ Do not share negative comments or criticisms of your boss, colleagues or company even if asked.

Dos

■ Be sure to schedule an exit interview.

■ Be positive during the exit interview. It goes a long way and is the right thing to do. Give honest and constructive feedback.

■ Update your co-workers and supervisor on the status of your portion of the projects you’ve been working on.

■ Provide adequate notice to your company and leave in good standing. You don’t want to close a door that you may want to return to and open again. Adequate notice is typically two weeks, but some professions will ask for a month’s notice.

■ Save some money and do some budgeting because the time from leaving a job with your last paycheck to starting a new job with your first paycheck will take time.

There are a lot of reasons to leave a company. According to a survey conducted by LinkedIn earlier this year, the number one reason workers left their jobs was because they wanted greater opportunities for advancement.

Most interesting is that seeking a better supervisor didn’t make the top five on the LinkedIn survey, but it is often cited as a reason during the job search.

While everyone will not agree with this suggestion, I believe that you should seek to leave on good terms with your supervisor. Even if your supervisor is the reason for your departure.

I think how you handle this relationship reflects upon you and your professional maturity. Talking with your boss about your job search will help eliminate rumors.

These suggestions will help you land safely into a new job.

Life is easy when everything is rosy and going well, but a true test of your character is transitioning from one job to another — whether the move is voluntary or forced.

I believe it was Shakespeare who wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances…”

A person is remembered for his or her entrances and exits.

Read entire article: By Lenroy Jones | The dos and don’ts of planning your job exit strategy|

About the author: Lenroy Jones, has a masters degree from Michigan State University, has dedicated nearly 20 years of his life to coaching and supporting career seekers to pursue their passion and purpose. J