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Making a Professional Career Change? 10 Career-Killers
to Avoid When You Resign Your Job
by Cathy Goodwin
Published on this site: April 14th, 2006 - See
more articles from this month
Congratulations! You just got an offer for a wonderful new
job. There's just one catch. You have to say good-by to your
current employer.
Maybe you loved your job and you face an emotional farewell.
Or you maybe you detested every minute and you've been counting
the days till you could walk out the door one last time.
Clients often admit they're nervous about making the departure
announcement. They're afraid the boss will be angry. They
feel guilty about the work they're leaving behind. Maybe someone
else has to take up the slack for awhile.
But clients also wonder how to resign gracefully yet still
protect their own longer-term career interests. They suspect
their departure style will influence their careers for a long
time.
They're right. Resigning the wrong way can create a career
breakdown and derail your journey to success.
- Career Killer : Giving too much notice.
Every so often my clients feel sorry for their former colleagues.
So they stick around an extra week (or even an extra month).
Inevitably, they begin to feel like a fifth wheel. Nearly
everyone says, "Next time I'm leaving right away!"
- Career Killer : Saying "yes" to requests
from the company you just left.
Your boss required two weeks notice - but belatedly realized
she needs four weeks for a smooth transition to your successor.
Your boss made a business decision to require two weeks
notice. When she miscalculates, she needs to accept the
cost, just as she'd accept the cost of late payments to
a supplier.
If your company needs additional help, offer to work as
a paid consultant with a contract. But get everything in
writing and make sure your new job becomes your Number One
priority.
- Career Killer : Ignoring past and present company
policies regarding disclosures and no-compete agreements.
Some companies are extremely proprietary about their process
and their people. Once you resign, you may have to leave
the workplace immediately. Or your new company may ask you
not to work for your former employer, even on a part-time
basis.
- Career Killer : Telling colleagues you're leaving
- before you tell the boss.
A tempting move but a deadly mistake! Your boss deserves
to be the first person to know.
Phone is second best. And tell the boss before you tell
anyone else - even your best friend or golfing buddy.
- Career Killer : Expecting the boss to be upset.
Clients often tiptoe around, fearing a boss's anger or disappointment.
But bosses typically behave professionally and expect you
to do the same.
Good bosses are happy to see their employees move ahead.
Thank her for the opportunity to learn. Emphasize how her
help contributed to your ability to make this wonderful
career move.
- Career Killer : Allowing deep-rooted anger
to get in the way of professionalism.
Thank your boss and your coworkers, even if you hate them
all and can't wait to leave.
You may regard them more fondly through a haze of memories
than a glare of office lighting. You may encounter them
at conventions and networking groups. And most likely you
will benefit from strong references and goodwill.
- Career Killer : Accepting a counter-offer.
Recruiters consistently tell me, "Sixty percent of
those who accept a counter-offer are gone in six months."
If you decide to stay, get a written job contract.
Exception: A few companies and industries actually
demand proof of an outside offer before offering you any
kind of internal raise or reward. College professors often
work in this environment.
- Career Killer : Treating the exit interview
as a therapy session.
When a Human Resource professional asks why you are leaving,
be upbeat and positive: "for a better opportunity."
Talk about how much you loved the company and your job.
You never know where your comments will turn up, mangled
and misinterpreted.
- Career Killer : Sharing details of your new position
with your "old" colleagues and coworkers.
Occasionally a colleague will try to assess your salary
or other information "so we can stay competitive in
recruiting." Helping your company recruit is not part
of your job and anyway, do you really believe this?
Details of your future employment should remain confidential,
even from your close friends in the company.
- Career Killer : Focusing on the company (and
career) you just left.
Once you're gone, you're history. The very same folks who
loved meeting you for lunch will barely remember your name
a week later.
And, if you haven't changed jobs for awhile you may be in
for a shock. Your first day in a new position can be a real
eye-opener!
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., helps corporate executives, business-owners
and professionals transform career breakdowns to career breakthroughs.Cathy
has created the 21-Day Extreme Career Makeover
Guide : http://www.cathygoodwin.com/21days.html
Free Download : Why most career change fails (and how you
can write your own success story). http://www.cathygoodwin.com/subscribe.html
mailto:[email protected]
or (206) 819-0989
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