Job Exit Strategy – Splitting Up and Staying Friends!!

There comes a time when every working relationship ends and as with personal relationships the question remains - can you split up and remain good friends. The simple answer is you won’t know until the situation arises. Breaking up can be an emotional time for both parties. The important point is to prepare yourself so you can manage your departure in the best way possible and to ensure every opportunity of leaving with the relationship intact or with the minimal damage. Some important tips:

Don’t string them along – Don’t play with your current employer with the threats of leaving. This is a dangerous game and can go horribly wrong. If you have concerns address them with your employer. If your employer can fix them you have a choice stay and accept the situation or leave.

Dear John – Put your notice in writing only hand it to your boss and relevant parties in person (don’t just leave it on your boss’s desk and then slip off into the night). By putting your notice in writing is formal and this is stronger than a verbal resignation.

Break it gently – It is important to keep it simple. Even if there are valid reasons I am inclined to give a basic line something like you are seeking a new challenge. The problem with giving your real reasons is that it provides your employer with ammunition to try and make you stay. Remember your partner would not want to hear about your new love nor will your boss want to hear about your new company.

No need to put the boot in – No matter how nasty the situation gets remain calm and refrain from biting back. Employers can use every emotion to try to get to you. Equally don’t see the fact that you are leaving as an opportunity to stick the boot in – you are leaving and you will not gain anything by doing this.

But I do love you – Employers may use the counter-offer to try to tempt you to stay. Expect it but ignore it. Although the counter-offer may be tempting research has shown that 80% of employees who stay for counter-offer have left within the year.

Paul Mullan is Director of Measurability. Measurability offers career coaching (Career Direction, CV Design & Interview Coaching) and also offers assessment solutions to organisations to enhance and improve recruitment process and decisions.

Contact details:

paul@measurability.ie

087 1223308

www.measurability.ie