If Leaving the Company, Do So in Good Standing

Does Your Current Employer Have Different Plans?

In rare instances, your current employer may ask that you stay on for a longer period after giving notice. They may desperately need you to complete a project in which you are the lead. You can choose to be flexible, but aren't required to. Be careful as to not get sucked into a prolonged goodbye.

Also keep in mind that if your current job deals with sensitive company information or you are leaving to join a competitor, your employer may decide to end your employment effective immediately. If your job falls into one of these categories, make sure you are financially prepared.

Wrapping Things Up

Get your story straight. Quitting is likely not a decision that you came to lightly. Expect for co-workers to inquire about why you are leaving. Don't make up reasons for loving your current employer, but rather focus on the allure of the new opportunity. Be honest, but keep it brief and consistent. People will talk and you'll seem disingenuous if their accounts conflict.

Don't try to be a hero. Be realistic about what else you're able to get done in the remaining time. Share your list of priorities with your supervisor and allow them the chance to provide input on what is most important.

Tie-up loose ends. After giving notice, shift from getting work done to getting work organized. Whether you've provided two or six weeks for your transition, the time will go by faster than you expect. The best way to leave your employer in good standing is to provide a solid transition plan for the next employee. Make a detailed list of projects and their status, draft a memo describing important technical facts about your job, leave behind a list of key contacts and organize the files on your desk and computer.

You might find yourself working longer hours during this period, and that's OK. If you are working double the hours, however, that is not acceptable and you should discuss alternatives with your manager. Ensuring that you aren't being taken advantage of is a critical element of a dignified departure.

The Final Hour

The last hour of your last day has finally arrived. You've cleaned out your desk, surrendered your security card, and made your way down to human resources for an exit interview. When the HR manager asks for feedback on the organization, however, what do you say?

If your experience has been positive, the answer is easy. But if you have concerns about your manager or someone else at the company, how honest should you be?

The information gathered in the exit interview, theoretically, is to be used to make improvements. With that in mind, be skeptical of any guarantees of confidentiality. Therefore, you should ask yourself what you hope to accomplish by raising any concerns. If you believe that what you say may contribute to a positive change, it may be worth taking the chance. Otherwise, keep quiet.

Whatever you decide, make sure your comments are constructive. Don't use the exit interview as a venting session. If you decide to speak up, be tactful with your criticisms and come prepared with concrete suggestions for improvement.

Lily Garcia has offered employment law and human resources advice to companies of all sizes for 10 years. To submit a question, e-mail lilymgarcia@gmail.com. We reserve the right to edit submitted questions for length and clarity and cannot guarantee that all questions will be answered.