“F#@k you, I quit” is not the right answer

By Stacie Maier • May 25, 2009 • Filed in: Career rants and rambles

Quitting a job that wasn’t the right fit for you can be a wonderful and freeing experience. It’s alright to revel in that feeling. It’s a good thing to acknowledge the feeling, take stock of the positive in pursuing positive momentum in your career and enjoy the feeling of moving closer towards your ultimate career goals.

However, it can be easy to get carried away. Even when quitting the most unfulfilling of jobs, it is important to leverage your exit and maintain the positive personal equity that you have built at the organization. Throwing a fit and leaving in a profanity-filled huff, while understandably attractive at certain times, is not the way to go in this situation (as attractive as that option can seem at the time, trust me, I know).

Here are some tips for leveraging you exit, no matter what the circumstances:

Leave on good terms.
- Be cordial, and do all the work you’re asked too, no matter how hard it is. You never know when you’ll encounter your former coworkers or bosses in the future.
Ask for references.
- Getting a written reference is fine, but securing a promise to act as a personal reference via phone is far stronger. If you are unsure of the quality of reference you may be given, have a friend call and do a spot check before passing the contact information on to a potential employer.
Say goodbye to your contacts.
- Either internal or external, take a moment to say goodbye to people you have worked closely with. Make a phone call or write a quick note telling them that you enjoyed working with them and passing on your future contact information. You network has significant value that can transcend the job itself.
Update your resume right away.
- As soon as you exit one position, whether you are immediately applying for new jobs or not, take some time to write up that position on your resume right away. You will be better able to remember and articulate your accomplishments while they are still fresh in your mind. (Note: it’s better to do this task every few months, regardless of whether you are seeking new employment or not.)
Don’t put anything negative in writing
- If you are asked to undergo an exit interview or write a formal resignation, choose your words very carefully. You may constructively give criticism or advice if you are so inclined, but remember that anything that’s part of a legal record may come back to haunt you.
Get confirmations in writing
- If you are in possession of any company property, get written confirmation of its return. A little paranoia never hurt anyone, and a little precaution upfront could save you significant headaches down the road.