Quitting your job? Here's how to leave on good terms without burning bridges

The act of leaving a job, no matter how exciting or motivating this decision is, will always be quite difficult. Irrespective of whether you are getting another great job opportunity, changing industries, or just taking some time off to think about your career path, the manner in which you leave your current place of work will affect your professional reputation. Experts suggest that keeping in touch with previous employers and colleagues will only benefit you further in the future. Here are six tips to help you leave your job in a professional manner and thus keep the connections.

Once you decide to resign, you should inform your manager first. It will not look nice if you let him/her know about your resignation through office talk or social media posts. Express your decision in a calm manner, thank the employer for the opportunity, be polite, and, if necessary, try to say the positive things about your experience with this job. First impressions can count, but so can final impressions.

It is considered that two weeks' notice is the minimum in most of the workplaces; however, in accordance with the conditions in your employment contract or local labor law, there could be other requirements about the notice period. Giving an adequate notice period is a sign of respect both for your employer and for yourself. There are very few circumstances in which you can just walk out without any notice, it is not professional and does not bring anything good.

After your conversation with the manager about the decision to resign, you should submit your resignation letter to the HR department. It is not required to write any explanations or complains in it. Just state your decision and date when you will stop working. You can either send an e-mail or write a letter and send it via the post. A professional resignation letter will create a positive impression.

The easiest way to leave your company on good terms is to make it as easy as possible. Complete your pending tasks if you can, sort out your files, write down some handover notes for your colleagues or your replacement, and explain what has been going on in your projects if you will be asked about that. This will prove your professionalism and show your maturity.

When you get an offer for another job, it is natural to think that you have nothing to do at work anymore. However, it is strongly recommended to stay professional in your behavior until the last day of your job. Arrive on time, complete the work which has been given to you, don't participate in office talk, and don't be rude to your colleagues.

Before you leave, take some time to thank those colleagues, mentors, and managers who helped you in your professional development. Exchange contacts and update your professional networking pages. It is important to leave not regretting your choice and being thankful to people whom you worked with. Who knows, perhaps today's colleague will become your client, manager, or partner in business someday.

Workplace policies, notice periods, and resignation procedures vary by employer, employment contract, and local labour laws. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or career advice.