10 Things You Must Do Before Handing in Your Resignation Letter

Many guides on how to quit your job suggest you focus on looking for a new job while hanging on to the one you have.

But perhaps you don't have a dream job in mind that you want to move to. Maybe you need a career break to explore your options, go back to school, spend time with your family or look after personal health issues. You may even be planning for an early retirement.

Many reasons for quitting your job

Whatever your reasons for quitting, there are things you can do to make the process easier on yourself, your family, your co-workers and your employer.

This article will show you how to:

• ease the transition process with careful planning;
• look after your physical and emotional needs;
• ensure your rights are protected while you are still working;
• maintain a professional demeanor at all times.

This article may also be helpful for people who feel that they are at risk of losing their jobs. Perhaps a layoff is imminent or you're getting an uneasy vibe from management. Being let go suddenly can come as a shock, even if everyone knew it was inevitable. Sometimes there is little time to wind down; you are all simply shown the door at the end of the day. A little planning can give you some confidence that if you are laid off, you'll know where to find your pre-packed parachute, so to speak.

Simple steps for a smooth exit

Whether you are moving on to a new adventure in your life or quitting your job due to unhappy circumstances, you deserve to have a sense of closure before you leave. For you, that might mean knowing that your clients and files will be handled properly when you leave. It may mean having time to sit down with each of your co-workers to sincerely thank them for the support they have given you. Or, perhaps you want to speak to your boss to find out what kind of reference he or she is planning to give you.

Here are some things you can do to leave an employment situation in a fair, ethical and practical manner.

1. Get your support network in place. Talk to your family, trusted friends, even your doctor, about your decision. Their support and encouragement will be a lifeline when self-doubt threatens to creep in.
2. Organize your finances. Keep in mind that it will be harder to apply for credit once you leave your job. Even if you have plenty of collateral and savings tucked away to support you over the next few months, crisis and emergencies do happen.
3. Create your own countdown calendar. Include specific tasks that need to be completed so that when you give your notice, you already have a head start on what projects will need your attention during your last two weeks.
   
4. Use your benefits. As long as you're working, you're entitled to your extended benefits.If your company offers a confidential employee assistance program, consider scheduling a meeting with a therapist or counsellor to discuss your decision to leave your job, and the sense of loss or grief you may be feeling.
5. Spend a little time at the end of each day organizing your files. Try to neutralize your filing system and remove any personal sorting styles that made sense to you for six years, but will be impossible for someone new to decipher. Whoever replaces you will appreciate having a clear, easy to understand filing system. Leaving your work tidy and well organized will reflect positively on you professionally after you're gone. It will also reduce the need for your replacement or supervisor to contact you after you've left.
6. Begin some light packing. As you get closer and closer to your resignation date, quietly begin packing up your mementos, dishes, knick-knacks. Leave the big obvious items in place. Tackle the small tasks like cleaning out the desk drawer where you keep your personal items.
7. Prepare a list of people (colleagues, peers, associates) you will want to contact before you leave. Once you hand in your resignation, you can contact them personally and let them know about your decision to move on.
   
8. Keep your credentials up to date. Make sure that your professional credentials are up to date and if there are any training programs or professional development opportunities you are due to complete, make sure you finish that training before you leave.
9. Ask for a performance review. If your performance review is coming up, see if you can have it scheduled a little earlier. Leaving with a clear sense of what you have accomplished and what your employer thinks of you can boost your confidence, should you need a reference later. Be sure to get a signed copy of the performance review at the end of your meeting.
10. Build your portfolio. It is not unreasonable to keep samples of your published work for your portfolio, but project proposals and internal planning documents are off limits, even if you were the chief lead on the project. Make sure that when you finally do leave, your supervisor knows exactly which work-related portfolio samples you intend to take with you.

Some may say that planning your departure before you’ve handed in your notice is disloyal. But if you've already made up your mind to leave, taking some time to get your affairs in order will make the last two weeks of your employment a little easier on everyone.

Aim for the best ending possible

By getting some of the basics out of the way first (i.e., organizing your files) and taking time to mentally process your decision to leave, you’ll be able to spend the last two weeks of work bringing administrative and emotional closure to your work relationships. You can focus on things like asking for a reference letter, conducting a reflective and helpful exit interview or having one to one time with colleagues to acknowledge them for all the support they have given you.