How To Leave Your Job In A Powerful Way

Have you accepted a job offer that you are excited about, but feel a bit guilty over the fact that you are leaving? Feeling conflicted about leaving a job is normal. Even though it may not have been the right job for you anymore, you still spent time there every day. You met people you liked. You had a routine you were used to. You were in familiar surroundings. But, familiar was not enough to keep you. Maybe you were bored. Maybe you were unhappy with new policies or procedures. Maybe they gave you a boss you did not want to work for. Regardless, it didn’t feel right for you to stay there, so you searched for another job. And, you found one. Congratulations to you. Although you are ready to leave, the people you work with are probably not ready for your departure. They will be worried about how your exit will affect them. They will wonder if they will have to do more work and if they can they handle it. In addition, they don’t know what it takes to do your job. They don’t have your knowledge or expertise. Ease their transition. That’s how you will leave a job in a powerful way. Do The Following: 1. Make A List Of Everything You Do When you “really” look at the work you do on a regular basis, you will be surprised by how much you are responsible for and how many people rely on you. When you are in the midst of the day to day of a job, you don’t always recognize the difference you are making. List the work you were asked to do, as well as the additional contributions that no one noticed. This list will be what the person after you will use to ramp up quickly. 2. Train Your Replacement If possible, train someone you already work with. Give him/her the in’s and out’s of your job, as well as what they should expect and watch out for. Do your best to train your replacement right away. You’ll need as much time as possible to teach someone your work. If your company decides to advertise your position, create the job description. Help sort through resumes. Interview candidates. No one has time to look for someone to do your work. Help in any way that you can. In addition, be available for questions for a specific and agreed upon time period in case the new person needs your advice. 3. Say Good Bye To Everyone Friendships are an important part of a job. When your work is no longer enjoyable, some of the people you work with can be the reason you come into the office every day. You will miss them. In addition, there will be some people you will be happy to not see anymore. Say good bye to them too. Be the bigger person. Completion is important for both sides. You don’t want to be bad mouthed after you leave. The saying, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” has stood the test of time for a reason. It’s true. You never know who you will meet again in the future. So, what do you say? You only have one life to live, so it might as well be a life you love! ***Deborah Brown-Volkman is the President of Surpass Your Dreams, Inc. a successful career, life, and mentor coaching company that works with Senior Executives, Vice Presidents, and Managers who are looking for new career opportunities or seek to become more productive in their current role. She is the author of “Coach Yourself To A New Career” and “How To Feel Great At Work Everyday.” Deborah can be reached at http://www.surpassyourdreams.com http://www.career-escape-program.com info@surpassyourdreams.com or at (631) 874-2877.**