The vast majority (86%) of 600 HR managers OfficeTeam surveyed said that how employees go about quitting a job has an impact on their future career opportunities.
As if we need a reminder of this fact of work life, but then again, we live in the self-absorbed social media age. Quitting a job in these "YOLO," upload-to-YouTube times can result in thousands, if not millions, of views.
At the very least, we've all worked with someone who quits on the spot, or finds some other "creative" or rather unprofessional way to end things quickly at work. It can be easy to act in haste, and then repent at leisure upon the realization that it's going to be a long, hard slog to find a new job based on a previous job exit. Because reference checks.***
So how do we quit well?
The OfficeTeam survey offers hints on how not to quit a job. The HR managers surveyed were asked to share some "unusual" ways in which employees quit. Here are a few of them:
You can find more examples here.
The trick to ending a work engagement is to do it gracefully, and thoughtfully. OfficeTeam has five tips for employees who just aren't that into their employers anymore and want to quit on the spot: (1.) Offer the company proper notice; (2.) Wrap up loose ends; (3.) Leave instructions for your impending replacement; (4.) Do an exit interview, if one is offered, and keep your comments constructive; (5.) Say goodbye to your workmates, and offer to stay in touch. Then leave on a high note.
This Valentine's Day, give your employer the gift of two weeks' notice. Depending on the complexity of the job, you might give your supervisor even more lead time to find a replacement. It's classy, it's kind, and it doesn't cost three months' salary. Let the company down gently.
Refuse to do a fade out where you don't show up one day or suddenly stop texting -- or worse, have your significant other send an "I quit" text message -- only to leave your confused boss wondering what is going on. This is the online job market, not online dating.
Of course, your employer can still drop you on the spot in our at-will economy, but you'll be taking the high road by quitting with panache and professionalism. No matter how much you dislike the job, and the company. The good vibes from quitting classy will last a lifetime. At the very least, they'll last for the remainder of your stellar career until you can finally retire and spend your days watching popular "I quit" videos on YouTube.
*** Millennials: Underwhelming reference checks are sort of like the professional version of swiping left.
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
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