Exit Etiquette through the Great Resignation
It feels like every time I log onto LinkedIn I see four or five new announcements from peers that they are starting new roles – I’m sure others have noticed this too! The excitement of starting a new role is certainly amplified by the energy a new year brings. It is safe to assume that we are going to receive more notification from LinkedIn saying that our industry peers have just started their new role and it is becoming increasingly hard to ignore the articles and news around ‘The Great Resignation‘.
With all of this happening, I realised there’s something not being discussed amongst all of the new role excitement and that is the last role exit. Or, what we like to call ‘exit etiquette’ to help ease the stress and anxiety experienced by employers as role vacancy numbers grow.
So here are our 9 top tips on how you can open the next door without slamming shut the last:
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Provide enough notice – once you’ve decided it’s time to go, it can be hard to stay engaged. Whether you are taking time off to find your next gig or are being encouraged by your new employer to start as soon as possible, there is nothing worse for a company (and for your reputation) than leaving others short-staffed at short notice. Think beyond just meeting your contractual obligations – how can you make your exit less painful for the other party?
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Resign face-to-face, not over text, email or through the grapevine! As awkward as resigning might be, communicating your exit with dignity and a mutual respect is important. This will allow your manager to ask questions, discuss your feedback and plan how your exit will be communicated more broadly.
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Whilst you might be bursting to share the news with your colleagues, it’s important to work with your manager on how your exit will be communicated to the wider team.
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Keep the dirty details to yourself: even if you are leaving because of a scandal, a pay dispute, a culture clash or ethical dilemma, focus on your next role and positive career shift when asked why you are leaving. Here are a few suggestions to communicate your exit positively:
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“This new opportunity will allow me to grow my skills in <insert skillset>”
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“It felt like the right time to take on a new challenge”
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“I’ve always wanted to work for <insert company>, so when they tapped me on the shoulder I just had to explore the opportunity”
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Don’t forget – staying positive and professional also applies when interviewing for a new role.
‘Exit etiquette’ beyond your resignation:
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Be brave and provide feedback. Providing constructive feedback is never easy, but at Hunt & Co. one of our company mantras is ‘clear is kind’ – this is certainly the case for exit feedback. Are there things that your company should know about the role, workload, culture or progression opportunities? The right types of employers will take this feedback gracefully and appreciate your honest feedback.
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Handover: confirm what sort of handover will work best for your colleagues – we all absorb information differently, so ask whether your team would like a handover in person or in a handover manual and whether they need training from you to be brought up to speed on the work you’ve been doing.
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Work hard up until you leave: an easy way to demonstrate your work ethic.
- Don’t cause a mass exodus: it should go without saying, but headhunting out of the company you’ve just left is in pretty bad taste. The words ‘do no harm’ ring true here.
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Be available: at Hunt & Co., we strongly believe your network is your net worth so don’t forget to continue to foster those professional relationships and provide support (within reason) even after you leave – the digital industry in Australia is tight-knit and you are likely to cross paths again.
We could go on and on with tips and suggestions! But the key theme through each of these tips is to be considerate and always take the high road when talking about your workplace. Goodluck!
Interested in learning more? Read our recruiter’s guide to resigning with ease and avoiding burning bridges.
If you are considering your next career move and are interested in speaking with a team of consultants that care about your professional reputation, then get in touch with Hunt & Co. today via hi@huntandco.io or call us on 1800 793 203.