Regardless of the motivation for your decision, deciding to quit your job is a huge decision - one that requires a lot of meticulous thinking. For one, you lose the structure that your job provides, the relationships you made in your job and if the transition to your life post-resignation is not done the right way, it can impede your chances of landing other jobs assuming you are not quitting because you and your employer are not on good terms which would be a situation that you would have to navigate differently.
The point is, quitting a job could be demanding but you must ensure you do it the right way. All loose ends must have been tied by the time you walk out the door as an employee of the company. As such, we have prepared a list of 5 things you must do before you quit your job.
To prevent getting frustrated, sad, or depressed after you quit your job, you must ensure you have a post-resignation plan. Depending on your employment conditions and contract, your job may be terminated immediately, and you'll be straight out the door or you may be asked to remain on board to help your company work out how to go about your duties in your absence. Whatever the case might be, you might want to review your options before walking out the door.
For example, to avoid becoming financially unstable, if you do not have a job offer at another company, enough savings, and are not considering starting a business of your own, you should consider applying for jobs prior to tendering your resignation letter. In situations where you plan to survive on your savings, for example, you may want to take care of upcoming big projects now, draw up a sustainable budget, cut several costs or consult a financial advisor. Furthermore, during the post-resignation period, you may need to do volunteer work to prevent feeling idle, bored, or even angry.
Ask yourself questions like:
Your answers to these questions will help you forge ahead in the right direction and help you understand what you want in your career.
The moment you make the decision to quit your job and turn in your resignation notice, begin to document your accomplishments and preserve critical information. This is because your employer may terminate your employment immediately your resignation notice is given to them, even asking security to escort you out of the company's premises.
In some cases, this is company policy and is done to avoid potential problems that could arise should the employee remain for the notice period. In other cases, the company may want to prevent the employee from taking client files or other crucial information. The point is that your company can terminate your employment immediately and the last thing you want is to be caught off guard.
Some examples of information that can better your career and should be taken and preserved before you quit your job are:
During your last weeks at the company, set an appointment with the HR department and confirm when you'll receive your final payment.
Depending on your contract and the company's policy, you may receive your payment on the date of your regular direct deposit, a certain time after you quit, or your last day at the job. Whichever option the company may choose, remember to confirm and not assume that you will receive that final payment to avoid getting disappointed. If, however, you do not get that final payment within the agreed period of time, file a complaint with your district or state's labor department.
Recommendations and endorsements are crucial ingredients for a polished reputation and outlook in your professional life. Therefore, before you walk out the door, ask your colleagues or supervisors who can attest to your abilities intelligently for recommendations as they are more likely to provide you with an endorsement while you're actively working alongside them than after you have submitted your resignation notice.
When the day to submit your resignation letter finally arrives, make sure you resign politely in compliance with the rules, protocols, and timeframes of the company. After all, the importance of quitting a job gracefully cannot be overstated. Your business networks, your professional relationships, and your professional reputation are great determinants of how quickly and how successfully you ascend your career ladder and reach your goals.
Be gracious even if you weren't on the best terms with everyone at the company. It is a professional thing to do. Be deliberate in expressing gratitude to your colleagues or supervisor, especially if they helped you grow or be productive in your role. You could consider giving thank-you cards to the people you care about the most at the company. Get the information of your vendors and clients if it isn't against company policy and reach out to your co-workers via your personal mail so they are able to contact you after you quit.
Remember that it is not uncommon for some companies to ask that you exit the company's premises immediately. Do not throw a tantrum instead walk out the door with your head held high and a smile on your face.
