The secret to quitting your job with a great reference in hand

The secret to quitting your job with a great reference in handThe secret to quitting your job with a great reference in handI was so nervous the first time Iquit a job. I wasnt sure what to say orhow to handle the career transition.Luckily, I turned to my parents and Google. I prepared accordingly, told my manager, handed in my resignation letter, did all of the other necessary steps, and left knowing Id have a good reference if I needed one in the future. I even got an ice cream cake at my going away festivittI was able to quit my job gracefully and keep the professional and personal relationships I built at the organization. Want to know how I did it? Here are a few things you need to know about quitting your job- with your reputation and a reference in hand.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more1. Dont accept just yetDont accept your new job until you talk to your manager. Saythank you for the job offer, but tell them youd like a day or two to let them know your final decision.There is a chance your current job will make a counter-offer because they want you to stay with the company. Of course, youll have to consider why you were looking in the first place and the pros and cons of both jobs, but its easier to do that when you havent already verbally or contractually committed to another offer.2. Tell your manager firstYour manager should be the first person to know that you are resigning from your position. You can tell Human Resources and your work friends afterward. Its better for the news to come from you.Email your manager to tischset up a time to speak. You dont have to tell them that you are setting up a meeting so you can resign. (Thats the work equivalent of a breakup text or breakup email.) You can be vague and say that youd like to speak with them and ask to put time on your managers calendar.Start the meeting by telling your manager that youve rece ived a job offer. If you are interested in staying at your current position, wait to see how they react because they may immediately discuss a counter-offer. If you know that you definitely want to leave, or if they dont bring up a counter offer, let them know that you are meeting to announce your resignation.Remember to stay positive even if you didnt enjoy your job, and are so excited to be handing in your notice. Tell your manager that you had a great experience, learned a lot, and that this move is what is best for your career trajectory. Staying positive is one of the keys to leaving on a good note.3.Give two weeks notice (at least)Two Weeks Noticeisnt just a great romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant. Most jobs expect you to give at least that amount of timewhen you quit your job, meaning that you work for two weeks after formally resigning. Your manager may ask for you to give more than two weeks, or you may want to offer to stay longer to wrap up projects.F ind out if your future employer is flexible with your abflug date. Youre more likely to be in good standing with your current company if you make the transition as seamless as possible- even if it means staying a week or two longer. This is especially important if you have a senior position or if youre working on client work that will be finished within a reasonable amount of time.4. Write a resignation letterAfter meeting with your manager,write a formal resignation letterfor Human Resources to keep on file. Be brief, straightforward, and positive. Date it, sign it, and notify them of your last date with the company.5. Help with the transitionDo as much as possible to help with the transition as you exit your role at the company. At one job, I made a detailed guidebook answering any possible question the new hire might have. I also stayed to help her transition into the role. My manager was impressed and I felt more comfortable with my departure.Write down details like important de adlines, notes about clients, and other pertinent information. Additionally, organize all papers and electronic files so that they can be found easily (and no one calls your cell phone with questions).6.Finish as much work as possibleFinish as many projects as you can before you leave. You understand the work best, so there is a higher likelihood that the work will get done correctly and efficiently if youre the one doing it.Finish as many projects as you can before you leave. You understand the work best, so there is a higher likelihood that the work will get done correctly and efficiently if youre the one doing it.If you cant finish in time, or if its an ongoing project- add details, action items, and descriptions to your transition document.7. Tell your colleaguesLet your coworkers knowthat youre leaving. Make sure to tell a consistent and positive story- even if youre leaving because your boss makes Miranda Priestly look like a piece of cake. Dont start the rumor mill because yo ur reputation may suffer as a result.Let them know what youre doing next, connect on LinkedIn, and ask people you worked with closely for aLinkedIn recommendation.8. Write thank you notesWrite thank-you notesto your manager, mentors, people you managed, and people you worked with closely. In your letters mention what you learned from them, your appreciation for their work, how much you enjoyed working with them, and let them know how they can stay in touch in the future. Some companies will even allow you to write a company, office, or team-wide email.9. Be diplomatic in your next bewerberinterviewMany Human Resource departments will ask you tocomplete an exit interview. The purpose of the exit interview is to solicit your feedback about your role and time at the company and to make note of your reason for leaving.Dont use this as a time to vent, because the details will be recorded. Simply answer diplomatically, positively, and explain that youre leaving because youve found a new o pportunity that will be good for your career path and accomplishing your professional goals.Mention that you enjoyed your time at the company, learned a lot, and are excited about the next step.10. Stay positive when you leaveIt is a very small world and you dont know how people are connected or what could get back to your potential employer.Stay positive about the work environmentin-person and on social media when you leave. Oh, and dont raid the supply closet for notepads and ballpoint pens when you leaveOne of my life mottos is to never burn bridges. Who knows- you might want to work for the company or your former colleagues again. Youre also likely to need references as your career progresses.Follow these tips when you do quit to help you leave your job gracefully while maintaining the important relationships that will help you continue to grow your career.This article originally appeared on Career Contessa.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make yo u happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people