How to Make an Exit from your Job in a Supportive Way

It’s not that easy to make an exit from your job in a supportive way. In fact, Quitting a job is very similar to breaking up with a partner. Sometimes you will feel absolutely terrible about it, other times, you will feel elated that you are moving on. You may feel completely neutral as well.

If you are contemplating quitting your job, you will find this article very helpful. Harvard Business Review has outlined seven methods of quitting that workers use.

We are going to take a look at each method and help you understand which would be the perfect one for you to use while making an exit from your job in a supportive way. 

The By-The-Book Method

In this method, you meet your manager and explain to him why you are leaving. You give your standard notice period. This should be considered the default approach. It is professional, respectful and gives your boss enough time to prepare for your leaving. You should go for this route if your work relationships are positive and you have respect for your boss. But if your time there was horrible and filled with negative experiences, this might not be the best option for you.

The Grateful Method

This is similar to the previous method. The only difference is that in this method, you focus more on how grateful you are for being able to have worked at the company. You can also throw in an offer to train a new person in your final weeks there.

Go for this route if you were able to gain a lot by working at the company and you want to maintain the relationships that you built there. Networking is important and maintaining certain work relationships could help you in your career in the future. Of course, you won’t go for the ‘grateful’ route if you don’t actually feel grateful and can’t wait to leave and join a company where you will be more valued. 

The In-The-Loop Method

This is the smoothest way to transition from a job. In this method, you tell your boss you are thinking of quitting or searching for a new job in advance. So when you finally announce your departure, there won’t be any unpleasant surprises.

However, if your relationship with your boss is not good and you think he may try to sabotage your transition, you should probably keep your plans to yourself until you give the final notice. This method works best if you have a really good understanding with your boss. 

The Perfunctory Method 

While making an exit from your job in a supportive way, you simply tell your boss you are leaving and send him your notice. You don’t offer any explanation or further details. This is usually done when you don’t have a good relationship with your boss and you think he may try to interfere at your new job by misusing his influence. This method is not recommended for people who want to maintain their relationships with their bosses. 

The Avoidant Method 

In this method, you simply send an email to your boss and HR that you are resigning. This route is usually taken by people whose bosses may be unresponsive or on a leave. Don’t use this method to simply avoid an awkward conversation. That is a cowardly and unprofessional thing to do. 

The Impulsive Method

As the name suggests, in this method you quit impulsively. There is no prior planning and one day you simply announce you are quitting. You don’t even give notice and simply leave. This route can be taken if you have been mistreated or wronged at your place of work and you don’t owe the company any loyalty. 

The Bridge-Burning Method 

This is the most explosive method on the list. You leave after sabotaging the company and verbally assaulting your boss and colleagues. This method is not recommended at all as it can cause legal complications for you. It is usually followed by people who were too frustrated at the workplace and simply lose it one day. 

Quitting a job is never easy but we hope that a look at the various methods above will help you quit professionally and in a way that will not harm your career. Which strategy are you most likely to use when it’s time for you to quit? Let us know in the comment section below.