Leaving a job isn’t always easy, even if it’s a terrible one, and how you handle your exit can have a serious impact on your career moving forward.
Whether you’re moving on to something better, need a fresh start, or just can’t take it anymore, quitting doesn’t have to mean destroying relationships. Keeping things professional ensures that you maintain your reputation and leave the door open for future opportunities. If you want to leave your position on good terms with the people you worked with and for, here’s how to do it.
1. Make sure you’re really ready to leave.
Before you officially hand in your notice, take time to make sure you’re making the right decision. If you’re leaving because of a temporary frustration, it might be worth seeing if the issue can be resolved. But if you’ve been unhappy for a while, know that moving on is completely valid. Think about your next steps. Do you have a new job lined up? Are you financially prepared for a transition? Being certain about your decision makes it easier to leave on good terms, rather than quitting in frustration and regretting it later.
2. Tell your boss before telling your coworkers.
It’s tempting to share your plans with your work friends first, but letting your boss hear it through office gossip isn’t a good look. The professional thing to do is to inform your manager before the news spreads. Even if you’re not on the best terms with them, it’s a sign of respect. When you do have the conversation, keep it brief and to the point. You don’t need to give every detail about why you’re leaving, but offering a professional explanation helps keep the relationship intact. A simple “I’ve decided to move on to a new opportunity” is enough.
3. Give the proper amount of notice.
Most jobs require at least two weeks’ notice, but some positions may ask for more. Even if you don’t legally have to, giving your employer enough time to adjust shows professionalism. It also helps ensure a smoother transition for both you and your team. If you’re in a high-responsibility role, consider offering to stay long enough to wrap up important tasks. Just make sure it doesn’t interfere with your next job. The goal is to be considerate while still putting your own future first.
4. Write a professional resignation letter.
Your resignation letter doesn’t need to be long or emotional. It should simply state your intention to leave, your last working day, and a brief note of appreciation for the experience. Even if your time at the company wasn’t great, it’s best to keep things polite. Avoid venting frustrations in writing. Anything you say in an official document could be kept on record, so keep it neutral and professional. Something like, “I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had here and wish the company continued success,” is enough.
5. Keep things positive during your final weeks.
Once you’ve handed in your notice, it might be tempting to mentally check out. But how you handle your last few weeks can shape the impression you leave behind. Even if you’re excited to leave, try to stay professional and engaged until your final day. Offer to help train your replacement or tie up loose ends where possible. A strong finish shows that you’re leaving with integrity, which makes it easier to maintain positive connections for the future.
6. Don’t badmouth the company or your boss.
Even if you’ve had a terrible experience, venting to colleagues or trash-talking your employer on social media won’t do you any favours. The working world is smaller than you think, and you never know who might hear about your words. Instead of focusing on the negatives, keep conversations about your departure light and neutral. If someone asks why you’re leaving, saying, “It was time for a new challenge,” is a safe way to keep things professional without diving into complaints.
7. Be mindful of how you handle your exit interview.
A lot of companies conduct exit interviews to get feedback from departing employees. If yours does, handle it wisely. While it’s okay to share constructive criticism, this isn’t the time to unload every frustration you’ve ever had. How you phrase things can make a big difference in how they’re received. Rather than saying, “My manager was terrible,” you could frame it as, “I would have appreciated more structured communication.” Keeping it professional ensures you leave with your reputation intact, rather than being remembered as bitter.
8. Offer to help with the transition.
If possible, make your departure easier on your team by offering to help with the handover process. Whether it’s documenting your responsibilities, training your replacement, or organising files, a little effort can go a long way. Even if your company doesn’t take you up on the offer, showing that you’re willing to help makes a good impression. It shows that you care about leaving things in a good place rather than just walking away.
9. Stay professional on your last day.
Your final day can feel like a mix of excitement and relief, but it’s still important to leave on a professional note. Avoid any dramatic goodbyes or making passive-aggressive remarks about how glad you are to be leaving. Instead, take time to say polite goodbyes, thank the people you’ve worked with, and leave things on a positive note. A graceful exit means you’ll be remembered well, even after you’ve moved on.
10. Connect with colleagues before you go.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when leaving a job is failing to maintain connections. Just because you’re moving on doesn’t mean you should lose touch with the professional relationships you’ve built. Before you go, connect with colleagues on LinkedIn or exchange contact details. You never know when a former coworker might become a valuable connection in the future. Keeping those relationships intact can open doors down the road.
11. Be prepared for mixed reactions.
Not everyone will react positively to your departure. Some colleagues might be happy for you, while others might feel abandoned or even resentful. Your boss might try to guilt-trip you into staying, or you could be met with indifference. No matter how people react, stay professional. You’re not responsible for managing other people’s emotions about your decision. What matters is that you leave with integrity, regardless of how people take the news.
12. Avoid burning bridges, even if the job was awful.
Even if you hated the job, leaving on bad terms doesn’t benefit you. Burning bridges can limit future opportunities, especially if someone you worked with ends up at a company you want to join later. You don’t want a former employer to bad-mouth you in the industry. Instead of focusing on the negatives, remind yourself that you’re moving forward to better things. Keeping your exit classy ensures that you’re remembered as someone who handled things maturely, no matter how bad the experience was.
13. Keep the door open for future opportunities.
Just because you’re leaving doesn’t mean this company won’t be part of your professional life again. You never know when you might cross paths with a former manager or coworker in a different job. Leaving on good terms keeps your options open. Even if you don’t plan on returning, maintaining positive connections could lead to job referrals or opportunities in the future. A simple thank-you email or follow-up message after you leave can reinforce those relationships for the long run.
