A job is not a forever position. Throughout your life, you will have multiple jobs. The current tenure for a job is right around the 5 year mark.
This job stat means you will likely have 6 or more jobs in a 30-year career. That’s a lot of jobs!
However, it is the reality these days. Gone are the 30-year career and then retirement. People change jobs frequently!
Navigating job changes can be difficult. You may not understand how to leave a job well.
Today, I want to give you 5 tips on leaving your current job that will set you up for success in the future.
5 Tips For Leaving A Job Well
1. Leave on good terms (to the best of your ability):
When you leave a job, leave on the best terms possible. I know this isn’t always a reality, but you must try your best.
Make sure you’ve set up your successor well. You can do this by leaving a document sharing your regular tasks (if you have Leader Standard Work, this is a great way to document what your role does), what software you regularly use, and more.
Make sure the people coming up behind you are set up for success.
2. Honor your boss and coworkers:
You put in a lot of hard work to get where you are today. So have your coworkers and boss. Maybe they’ve even put more into your success than you
Before you leave, honor those you’ve worked with. Share how your fellow employees impacted your life and career. Help them understand you still care about them.
By honoring your coworkers, you show you recognize their value.
3. Connect with your connections:
You’re no longer in a place of familiarity. You’re moving on to something else. What do you do to stay connected?
I say ramp up your connections with your connections.
Work LinkedIn. Message your contacts on Facebook.
You should warm up your connections as you leave your current employer.
4. Stay focused:
You’ve likely put in at least a 2-week notice. If your position is a difficult one to fill, you may have extended your notice to a month or more.
Once you’ve given your notice, it can be hard to stay focused on the now. You’re more focused on the things to come, connecting with new coworkers, and more.
However, you must stay focused as you finish the final weeks with your current employer. They’re paying you, you’ve committed to working, and they’re counting on you.
Stay focused. Finish well.
5. Watch what you say:
One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen people make is that they fail to watch what they say about the organization they just left. What you may say is a major issue.
When you badmouth your former employer or coworkers, you say more about yourself than you do about them.
If there was trouble in the office, keep it to yourself. Don’t splash it all over social media. If you have disparaging videos, you make sure those never see the light of day.
You’re asking for trouble when you talk negatively about your past employer.
