To start a new job is exciting and many people ponder on what to do on their first day, how to present themselves and how to build a decent reputation with your employer, your colleagues and your clients. It surprises me that this is less done when you actually leave an organisation. Even if you are relieved to finally close that door behind you, you should not be thoughtless when saying goodbye. Today therefore 6 tips on how to end a job.
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- Consider the options
It is important that you do not take the farewell for granted. A last day gone wrong can haunt you for years; the begin and the end are recalled far better than an average day somewhere in between. And usually you don’t come back to straighten things out. So think carefully on how you want to leave and what impression you want to leave behind. Tip: think carefully about how you want to spend the last day at work and how you want to be remembered
- Don’t burn all bridges behind you
If you had a lousy time, it is very tempting to get back at the colleagues that made life miserable or that boss with all his condescending remarks. Resist the temptation ! It might feel great at the moment you express all the emotions you held back, but if you look back on it a few days or years later you will feel embarrassed. You will remember your tirade against the boss but the anxiety and anger of the circumstances wear off. Especially if you work in and are for your future career dependent on a specific sector or you live in a smaller village, where you can run into your boss or colleagues all the time, you might regret your words because it might limit your possibilities and “freedom of movement”. Tip: do not express anger or hostility, even if you feel that way inside
- Be honest, but respectful in what you say
On the other side, it is not wise and authentic to say only nice words in a small speech or one-on-one talks if everyone knows that you actually hated your job. It will not add to your credibility and you will feel “dirty” afterwards. And if you want to express your disappointment or anger do not express it towards one or several individuals, but more towards the organisation as a whole (especially if you are talking to a group). People will know when the criticism applies to them. Tip: if you have nice things to say you can be personal, if you criticize be general
- You don’t owe your colleagues a big farewell party
To address all colleagues is not everybody’s cup of tea and especially, if there are less positive circumstances that someone wants/has to leave, for example a lay-off or illness, a big reception might not be appropriate. As an employee, you are in charge, and if you do not want a big reception, but for example a lunch with your immediate colleagues or, why not, nothing at all, your colleagues or your employer should respect that. Tip: inform your employer on your preferences
- Be open in what you would like
You know those people: if you ask them how they see their farewell, they say that they don’t want anything, but deep down you know they expect a big reception with all their former colleagues invited and their whole family present. What to do ? This can only mean disaster ! Tip: please, say straightforward what you would like to see happening
- Leave some advice or considerations for the organisation
A last interview with your employer/boss might be a good moment to give your thoughts and considerations on how you see the future developments of the function you had within the organisation and of the organisation itself. Do not conjure up a long list of desired improvements, but choose 2 or 3 points “from the heart”. If these points are genuine it leaves a good impression and shows that you (maybe despite all that has happened) care for the organisation and the colleagues you leave behind. Tip: give 2 or 3 recommendations/thoughts from the heart on the job and the organisation
- Do not expect to see all your colleagues on a regular basis
To ease the moment and to make it less emotional you might promise to contact the colleagues on a regular basis or to stop by and visit the company once in a while. It will not happen ! The old saying “out of sight, out of mind”, although not intentionally, will prove its value. From all my former employers I still regularly see two or three colleagues maximum regularly (some of them for more than a decade), but that’s all. Tip: don’t promise things to make saying goodbye easier; leave it open.
M
psycho at work 