Ways to Exit a Role and Maintain Key Connections was originally published on Ivy Exec.
If you’ve been at your workplace for months or several years, you’ve probably built a strong network there. Your peers have seen your strengths and cheered you on as you achieved career goals. They may have also challenged you to grow and partnered with you on important projects.
So, how do you maintain such bonds after finding a new job? Use the following strategies to leave your role while keeping key connections strong and respectful.
✅ Be Honest and Grateful
After accepting a new job offer, you might feel like leaving quietly. You may think of keeping your head down, finishing your work, and slipping out without making a big deal. But leaving in such a way can cause your coworkers and bosses to feel confused, hurt and disrespected.
Be honest and tell your team you’re moving on, and do it in a kind, thoughtful way. You don’t need to share every little detail about your next career step. Just let them know you’re grateful for the time you spent working together.
Even if your job wasn’t perfect, there were probably still some good moments. For example, a coworker may have mentored you when you were new or supported you in your duties. You might have also received a rare opportunity to lead a project because a manager believed in you.
Talk about these moments when announcing your departure to make your coworkers feel seen and appreciated. If your boss gave you chances to grow, let them know you noticed. Further, thank your coworkers if they supported you during tough days or made your work easier.
✅ Give a Notice and Optimize Your Time
Letting your team know you’ll leave in a short while can feel awkward, but it’s vital. While the standard notice is usually two weeks, you may sometimes need to give it earlier.
For example, if your job is complex, two weeks may not be enough to ensure a smooth transition. Besides, if you lead a team, you may need more time to help everyone adjust.
Giving a longer notice will save your coworkers from stress later. It also shows you’re thinking beyond your move, which speaks volumes about your character.
No matter how much notice you give, you should ensure you spend the time wisely. Don’t just clock in and coast until your last day. Focus and be present since your last impression will influence how people view you.
One of the best ways to support your coworkers is by setting them up for success. Help with the handoff by writing clear notes, checklists, and instructions explaining how to do your daily tasks. These will make it easier for someone new to navigate the duties..
If your boss has already hired someone to take over your role, offer to train them. Walk them through your routine, answer their questions, and explain what they might not know. In case your replacement isn’t there already, leave helpful tools and insights with your boss.
You can also meet with your coworkers and let them know the tasks they might need to take over. Inform them where to find essential files or whom to contact for help. These small gestures show you care and can help you strengthen your connections.
✅ Connect With Your Coworkers
Before your last day, connect with your coworkers online using LinkedIn. The platform is an excellent choice since it will let you share your moves and experiences while learning about your colleagues to maintain a professional relationship. Here are some things you can keep up with using LinkedIn:
- Career milestones and accomplishments
- Shared interests and projects
- New skills and certifications
- Job updates and career shifts
- Company news
Networking with your coworkers online before leaving proves you want to stay in touch. After connecting, follow their posts and comment when it makes sense.
When a former colleague shares an accomplishment or an update about their career, leave a congratulatory message. Doing so will show you’re paying attention and are proud of them.
If your coworkers don’t use LinkedIn often, you can exchange personal emails and phone numbers. These will allow you to check in to see how they’re doing. You can show you’re still interested in the person and their career, even if you’re no longer colleagues.
✅ Say Goodbye in a Meaningful Way
Once you helped your team transition, you shouldn’t just disappear by packing up and leaving without a word. Say a meaningful goodbye, depending on what feels right for you and your workplace.
One method you can use is walking around the office or stopping by people’s desks to say goodbye in person. You may also send a simple email if you work with people in different departments or several teams.
In your message, thank everyone for their support, and mention a few things you’ve enjoyed about working with them. If there are specific people you worked closely with, have one last chat before leaving.
✅ Offer Help After You Leave
Sometimes, your former coworkers might have questions about tasks you handled, especially if your job was busy or detailed.
Being open to helping will leave a strong, positive impression and prove you’re reliable. While you don’t need to be available forever, try to be kind and generous for a short while after leaving.
Simple things like answering emails or explaining some processes may only take five minutes. However, it could save your old team a lot of time and stress.
While you want to leave a good impression in your former workplace, you should also set healthy boundaries. Show you’re open to helping, but make your limits clear. You may also suggest someone else your team can go to for answers, like a coworker who worked closely with you or your manager.
Exit With Integrity to Maintain Connections
The way you exit your current job will shape how people remember working with you. Be honest and mindful of your colleagues by giving enough notice, then maximize the time left.
Additionally, help them even after leaving and keep in touch regularly. These actions will help you build strong relationships that last beyond your final day at the workplace.
Check out our career advice page for other helpful insights.
