Dos and Don’ts of Resigning

Do inform the boss of your decision to leave in person and have a resignation letter ready.

Don't let them hear the news through the grapevine.

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Do be mature and professional about leaving.

Don't gloat about how much better your new job is going to be and how much it sucks working where you are at the moment.

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Do be prepared to answer questions the boss may have about your decision to leave.

Don't give answers like 'this job is killing me – I have to get out'.

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Do check your contract to find out how much notice you have to give.

Don't leave it too late – you don't want to have to delay the start of your new job because you didn't resign in good time.

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Do clear up all entitlements and unused vacation time.

Don't try to organise things after you've already left and started at your new job.

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Do continue working and behaving just as you had done before you announced you were leaving.

Don't stop working immediately after you hand in your resigantion. Don't forget – you might want a reference from these people.

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Do be positive in your exit interview.

Don't use the occasion to vent your frustrations. Be constructive with your comments.

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Do return all company property before you leave, such as passes, keys and laptops.

Don't be remembered as the person who stole the stapler or the phone.

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Do say goodbye on your last day.

Don't leave on your last day without a word to anyone and try to refrain from running out the door.

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Do think of the future.

Don't burn your bridges – avoid final comments about what you really think of everyone or confessions about those two-hour lunches, stealing stationery or letting Todd take the blame for the failure of the team's project.