Summary

The article outlines 17 key actions to take before leaving a job to ensure a smooth transition, maintain professional relationships, and prepare for future opportunities.

Abstract

The author, who recently left their job for a new opportunity, shares a comprehensive checklist of tasks they completed in their final two weeks. These tasks include writing detailed job procedures, updating resumes and personal branding materials, networking with colleagues, preparing questions for the new role, setting out-of-office messages, informing relevant parties about pending assignments, updating contact information for ongoing projects, expressing gratitude to mentors and colleagues, maintaining personal fitness, cleaning the workspace, and encouraging ongoing communication with coworkers. The list emphasizes professionalism, preparedness, and the importance of leaving on good terms.

Opinions

The author believes in the importance of leaving detailed instructions for one's successor to facilitate a smooth transition.
Regular updates to resumes and personal branding documents are considered essential for career development.
Networking with colleagues and maintaining those connections after leaving a job is highly recommended.
Preparing targeted questions for a new supervisor is seen as a strategic way to acclimate to a new role quickly.
Setting out-of-office messages is viewed as a courtesy to ensure continuity in communication.
Informing mentors and instructors about job changes is important for maintaining professional relationships.
The author values physical fitness as a means to clear the mind during career transitions.
A clean and organized workspace is a sign of respect for the next occupant and reflects positively on the departing employee.
The author encourages continued engagement with professional communities and personal networks after leaving a job.

17 Things You Should Do Before You Quit Your Job

Use these tips to build your network when you leave your job

Today I quit my job for a new job with more responsibility. I packed up my pencil sharpener and bid farewell to my colleagues I did some housecleaning, and you should do it too. I’ve provided a list of some of these most important things I’ve done in my last two weeks in anticipation of my move to my new employer:

1. I wrote step-by-step procedures for all my duties so that the person who will do my job next will know what to do and how to do. Your successor will appreciate your due diligence, and remember your help.

2. I updated my resumes. (I actually have three resumes plus an omnibus resume that has everything I have ever done professionally and educationally going back to college.) You should set aside time every couple weeks to update your resume. Your last day on the job is a good opportunity to do this.

3. I updated my Personal Brand Communications Plan. Just like Coke, Microsoft and Google, you have a personal brand. You should consciously think about this brand — how you project yourself both online and in-person. When I was a student of public relations, this personal brand communications plan was my final project for one of my classes. I still update it every six months and when I change jobs. You should have a personal brand communications plan too.

4. I updated my personal ethics plan for my work as a public relations professional. In another class during PR school my final project was a personal ethics plan. In it I detailed my understanding of the ethics code of the Public Relations Society of America and how I would apply this understanding to my personal and professional life. I still update it every six months and when I change jobs. You should have a personal brand communications plan too.

5. I sent LinkedIn invitations to my soon to be former coworkers. You’re going to want to keep in touch with your colleagues, even if they work in different fields. In his book “Friend of a Friend,” author David Burkus says why this is a good idea. Meanwhile, Nike founder Phil Knight talks how he applied Burkus’ ideas in “Shoe Dog,” Knight’s autobiography (albeit years before Burkus wrote his book).

6. I reviewed the sets of questions that I will ask my new supervisor about my new role upon arrival. I have questions for my new supervisor for five conversations that are inspired by the book “The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter” by Michael Watkins. According to Watkins, the five topics of the supervisor conversations area: 1) situational, 2) expectations, 3) style, 3) resources and 5) personal development.

7. I set my out-of-office messages so that people who try to contact me know who to contact instead. You don’t want people seeking help to think their emails and phone calls are going into a vast void.

8. I sent several emails to people who are expecting the results of my in-progress assignments advising them of my departure. That way these people will know where to go to get the reports you told them you were working on.

9. I sent several emails to my mentors and former public relations instructors letting them know about my move. These people were extremely helpful to me during my career, and I want to let them know where I will be if they need my help.

10. I updated contact information on an advertisement for for a seminar that I have coordinated for the past three years — then sent it to the workforce. That way registrants would know who to contact if they would like to attend the seminar.

11. I drafted points for LinkedIn a post on my last day on the job thanking my colleagues for their support over the past three years. Of course, you want to thank your colleagues for helping you make your job easier!

12. I drafted a few points for this post that you are reading now. So that you will know what to do when you quit your job.

13. I made a personal note that I want to check in with my former Georgetown University classmates. If they’re reading this post, they know what I’m up to. I’m wondering what they’re up to in their careers.

14. I told public affair professionals at other federal agencies that I communicate with through a listserv for these communicators that I will be changing jobs — but that I’m still hosting monthly concerts that I invite other public affairs professionals to attend.

15. I worked out. Hopefully you’ll have time to work out before you quit your job. Working out clears your mind.

16. I cleaned and sanitized my desk for the next person. You want the person who sits in your desk next to have a work space that is sparkling clean. If you leave your desk dirty, it makes you look bad. It’s just considerate to clean your desk before you leave. Also make sure you don’t leave expired milk in the shared refrigerator.

17. I said good bye to my coworkers and encouraged them to stay in touch online and offline. I expect to maintain professional and personal relationships with some of my coworkers.