Burning your bridges

Does it really matter how you end a relationship with a job you do not like and with people you will never work with again in your professional life? A young man applied and won a new position in a company that had room for advancement, a higher salary, and by all surface accounts, much nicer people to work with. Amidst all his success, a debate erupted among his coworkers regarding the proper way in which to end the relationship with his current employer.{{more}}

Without a doubt, his position was a dead-end, low-paying job with a boss who seldom expressed appreciation and gratitude for a job well done. The majority of his coworkers thought the young man should just quit as the employer did not deserve advance notice after all the years of mediocre treatment. The young man, however, listened to wise counsel and gave his employer two weeks’ notice in writing and actually thanked the employer for the years of employment—a very smart move as the world is a small place and you just never know how or when you will work with someone in the future.

When you leave a job, don’t burn your bridges; leave the gate open in the event you will need those relationships in the future. Don’t gossip about the position and the people you are leaving behind or don’t do mediocre work just before you leave. Help train the new person or leave your work clean and orderly so it’s easy to follow after you are gone. Give at least two weeks’ notice and do so in writing; for managerial and higher positions, a month’s or more notice would be appreciated. If there is an exit interview, take the time to complete the process, and do so candidly and diplomatically.

A civil departure is always in your professional interest as you may need to do business with that former boss or colleague later in life or they may be in a position to directly or indirectly influence decisions being made about you. Your reputation and your ability to interact with people are important factors that will determine how successful you will be. Always strive to be savvy and strategic in your decisions and never burn your bridges.

Karen Hinds is “The Workplace Success Expert.” For a FREE SPECIAL REPORT on Avoiding Career Killers in the Workplace, send an email to info@workplacesuccess.com

Visit online at www.workplacesuccess.com