When done well, quitting a job is a smart step in your career development process.
There is no shame in quitting a job. Not if you do it well. Many smart people have quit their jobs. They had the wisdom to see they were in a bad situation or a wrong fit and they moved on. They orchestrated their ending. And they made it a good ending. Not a messy divorce.
If you have even an inkling that quitting may be a good move for you, read on. Most of us are terrible at endings. (We focus much more on beginnings, right?) We somehow have it in our minds that we have to have a dramatic exit which often means an ending that burns bridges and causes us future damage. Or we pretend we’re not really leaving by sneaking out in the middle of the night pretending that the bad stuff never happened. We just stop showing up or giving the job our best effort. We check out.
Drama and subterfuge are generally bad ideas.
I’m going to teach you how to be intentional about quitting.
- Do get out your frustrations, safely.
- Do write an honest resignation letter. The is your let her rip venting letter. Get out all the things you’ve wanted to say about why you are leaving. That letter is for you and you alone.
- Do write a real resignation letter. Writing this letter will help you see how it feels to say good bye. Include in this letter three things you accomplished – your legacy. You will include the three top things in your actual resignation letter.
- Do tell at least one person outside your workplace that you plan to quit. Get comfortable saying the truth out loud.
- Do set a drop-dead date, one that gives you enough time to develop an exit plan and think about what you want to get done before you leave and what you’d like to have in place to support you when you’re not working regularly.
- Do ask for referrals for possible job leads and networking contacts, preferably from past co-workers and friends. Do this before you quit, and do it gently and with curiosity. Hey, I’m thinking about my next job move. Where do you think someone with my background and skills might be a good fit? Do you know anyone in xx industry? I’ve always been curious to know what it’s like to work in that business.
- Do talk to an objective person (like a coach) who can remind you that you WILL find another job and that other smart people have quit their jobs and done very, very well.
- In addition to the three accomplishments you put in your resignation letter, do take stock of what you’ve accomplished. Write down a long list with all the projects you’ve worked on. Gather up your portfolio.
- Do look at your network and brainstorm about who you want to meet with in the coming months. Start filling your calendar with at least one coffee date a week.
- Do make room to pause, reflect, relax, regroup. It’s really healthy and smart to make time to smell the roses and stretch your weary bones. People with clear heads and good energy are most likely to have successful job searches. So, give yourself a chance to renew.
- Do trust that there will be great opportunities in the future.
Here’s the list of don’ts. (Don’t be deceived by the size of this list. These are big no-no’s.)
- Don’t express anger, bitterness or resentment to your co-workers or supervisors. Stay calm and cool.
- Don’t burn bridges. Don’t tell anyone off. Be careful about how you say no when asked to do something.
- Don’t quit in a huff.
- Don’t assume the worst. Just because your supervisors don’t communicate appreciation doesn’t mean they don’t value your work. Lots of people are lousy at giving positive feedback. Many people have been surprised by the words of gratitude they received after they’ve given notice. That’s the lousy truth.
- Don’t tell your mother or father that you’re planning to quit your job. Or anyone who will respond from a place of fear… The point is, you don’t want to tell people who worry about your security unless you feel very certain about your ability to stay the course.
- Don’t tell your coworkers… when you break do so with equanimity.
- Don’t rush into another big commitment. Especially don’t take another job right away. Most of us need time and space to get clear about what we want and to let go of a bad past.
- Don’t assume you’re damaged goods. Many smart people have quit their jobs and gone on to fabulous opportunities.
Are you ready to close the door on what you don’t want and what doesn’t’ serve you? Get out your pen and start working on your resignation letters. Get in gear to open the door to what brings you satisfaction and joy.