During the pandemic, maybe you lost your job. Maybe you were one of the last people left standing on your team and took on the jobs of two or three other people, and you just can’t take it anymore. Maybe you just want to find a job you’re passionate about. Whatever the case, in this post-pandemic world we’re stepping into, The Wall Street Journal recently reported that people are leaving jobs at the highest levels in two decades.
As you examine what a post-pandemic lifestyle looks like to you, you might be considering joining the ranks of people finding a job better suited to their skills or passions. It’s important to leave your job in a tactful way so that you don’t burn bridges and are able to keep your network strong.
If you’re still weighing the decision, here’s a checklist to consider:
1) Examine the pros and cons. The first thing to do is a write a list of the pros and cons. Maybe you have a long tenure at your current company and you like the benefits. But maybe you hate the office environment. Taking a tactical approach to weighing whether the pros outweigh the cons is always a valuable first step in decision-making.
2) Determine your timeline. You’ve decided you’re going to quit. The next thing to do is determine your timeline. Are you willing to give your soon-to-be former employer some time beyond the standard two weeks to help with the transition? If you have another job offer, is your soon-to-be new employer amenable to a later start date? Identify the timeline and game plan, then draft a letter of resignation. Your timeline should be included in the letter of resignation.
3) Set a meeting with the boss. The Balance Careers reported that it’s best to talk to the boss before formally submitting a letter of resignation. Set a meeting with your supervisor, but have the letter on hand to give to them during this meeting. Consider telling your boss you’re grateful for the opportunities and for all you’ve learned and accomplished in this position.
4) Develop a transition plan and training materials. Offer to train your replacement in your remaining time. If they haven’t hired your replacement prior to your departure, ensure you put together transition documents that explain your tasks.
5) Determine benefit and pay logistics. Schedule some time with your HR and payroll department prior to your departure to talk about when you’re going to get your last paycheck, when your medical benefits expire and about your unused paid time off and vacation time. Talk to your financial advisor about your best option for your 401(k) or any other retirement plans your old employer offered. Also, if you have a job offer from another company and they’ve given you a benefits package to consider, let your advisor have a look and compare/contrast decisions like pre-tax 401k contributions vs. Roth 401k contributions.
6) Send the goodbye email. So the two weeks have passed and you’re wrapping everything up. Make it polite and offer your personal email for those who want to stay in touch.
7) Stay positive. Lastly, stay positive about your company and your former colleagues. Did you like everybody? Probably not, but it only makes you look bad when you badmouth people, so steer clear of that.
We wish you a happy and artful transition. Let us know how we can help.
About the Author
Matt Price serves as a Partner and Senior Vice President for The Price Group of Steward Partners. He resides in Houston with his wife, Emily, their three children and the family golden retriever. Matt studied at the University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School of Business for his Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation after receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. Over the past 10 years, Matt has helped families make high quality, common sense decisions regarding their wealth and their legacy. Matt firmly believes that everyone needs a wealth coach!
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