Planning The Right Job Exit Strategy

By Patrick Cataldo, Associate Dean for Executive Education

As a young man, I was at a party one time when an acquaintance of mine, an established Broadway actress, taught me a real lesson in business that I have never forgotten.

Her story began as she told me about the cast she was a part of and how she absolutely despised several of its members. One actor was constantly trying to upstage her and steal the most important scene they had together. Another actress in the cast suggested she finally nail him good on her last night before leaving the show.

But she told me, "I just couldn't do that." She said, "Theater is a small world. I just never know when I'll be in another show or tour with him or when he's going to wind up influencing a director about a part I want."

The lesson stuck. Of course the world of business is not nearly as small as the world of professional live theater. Still, when life pushes you to move on, whether by design or by happenstance, you need to be ruled by your intellect and not your emotions, always keeping your own best interests in mind. "Don't burn your bridges," may be cliche; but it is also smart business practice.

Most of us spend a lot of time and effort landing a job and planning an entrance strategy. But how many spend an equal amount of energy leaving a job the right way?

It doesn't matter who you are or where you find yourself on the career ladder, "Parting is such sweet sorrow," ought to be more to you than a line from Shakespeare.

One day you may be sitting at your desk when you receive a call from Heidrick and Struggles, Spencer Stuart, or another of the nation's top headhunting firms seeking "someone" qualified for an open position. Perhaps you will read about a challenging position that has come available or hear about an opportunity to move ahead in your career.

On the other hand, you may also find the proverbial "pink slip" in your inbox or pay envelope. The company will express its regrets as it "downsizes," "rightsizes," or just cuts back to save money. It won't matter what words they choose to tell you; the fact will still be the same: You're out of work.

It really doesn't matter who makes the decision for you to move on, you or your employer. Either way, you need to make a life transition and make sure that the path remains clear, both ways, backward and forward.

Parting with style, aplomb, grace, and good feelings may some day prove to be critical to your personal success or the success of your new employer. You just never know for sure.

Here are some things to think about as you prepare to move on:

• giving sufficient notice;

• telling your boss, staff and peers;

• writing your own departure notice;

• scheduling vacation time;

• controlling negative feelings and thoughts;

• offering a succession plan;

• handling critical files and materials;

• taking what belongs to you and not what doesn't;

• recruiting after you leave; and

• not burning bridges.

Leaving a job that has been important to you and your family can feel as if you're turning away from the comforts of something familiar, and—you thought—relatively secure. Moving on is always hard, whether you are a young adult leaving home, or older and leaving the town where you've lived for years.

It is important for us to think about a life transition as a chance to be made anew, an opportunity to grow and develop. Departing is a critical part of our lives that should be organized, upbeat, and well-managed. To do otherwise is to cheat ourselves.

This article originally appeared in the Centre Daily Times.