Exit Path 2 – Walkthrough / Guide

You want to see if you have any other options of career development besides slogging on at your current job. If you see any light at the end of the tunnel, you might want to make a bold career transition and quit your job. When you decide on a career change it is advisable to give your employer as much notice as possible. If the terms of the employment contract specify a definite amount of time, you should give at least such amount of time to your employer as notice. If there is no such specification and your employer expects two weeks’ notice from those quitting, you may consider giving more than two weeks’ notice. You can also offer to stay on until a replacement is found or until you make your career dream find; maybe even offer to help your replacement learn the ropes before you actually say goodbye. When you opt for a career transition, it is best to resign in a formal and dignified manner. Sensible career planning demands that you never quit over the phone or just email your resignation. Write a proper resignation letter, thanking your employer for the opportunity to work with them and thereby gather valuable knowledge and experience. Take a printout and hand it over personally to your employer, repeating the sentiments expressed in your letter verbally too. The sense of dignity that you show when executing a career forward move will go a long way to create a good impression of you for years to come. Make sure that you deal with your bosses, colleagues, and clients genially at all times once you have served notice of your intention of career transition. It is very important that you don’t burn any bridges when you leave. You would want the doors of the company to remain open for you should you ever wish to come back. Also, you need to remember that the world is a small place after all. Who knows where you might meet your boss again? The ideal scenario is that you are fondly remembered and missed once you move on. When opting for a career job opportunity elsewhere and packing your stuff, be very particular about returning all stationery, equipment, documents or other company property that is currently with you. This you should do even if you are not asked. By ensuring this you not only prevent any misunderstanding or allegations of theft but also demonstrate your ethics to the company and add to the positive impression already created. It is best left to your judgment when you decide on how you want to go about resigning your present job. For example, you would not like to put your current job as a reference on your resume in your quest for a career forward move until you have actually tendered your resignation officially. Again, unless such a situation arises that your safety is threatened, you should never decide impulsively to leave your job. One way to give free rein to your judgment is to put yourself in the shoes of your employer or your boss. Ask yourself this question every time you take some step – how would it feel if an outgoing employee behaved like this? Answer this question honestly and you will know exactly what to do and what not to do when resigning your job. Remember, appropriate exit behavior is a clear sign of intelligent career planning. It is a great way to ensure good reference from your employer time and again.