| "Thanks, man. I really appreciate it." | | | | good [X] years working here at Company X. Before I |
| You are quitting your job and moving to the Next Big | | | | leave, I wanted to wish you the best of luck to you in |
| Thing. But on your way out, remember to "Mind your | | | | your future endeavors. Regards, The Quitter." This |
| Ps and Qs." Well, primarily you'll need to mind your Qs, | | | | smacks of class and professionalism... and did you |
| as in "Thank Yous." | | | | mention once that you enjoyed working with them? |
| Being grateful for the people at work who made your | | | | No. You told no lies there, but you addressed their |
| work life hell is even more important than being | | | | presence and showed them respect. |
| grateful for the people who made your work life a | | | | 3) Not thanking your direct reports. If you have any |
| pleasure. The art of gratitude requires that we move | | | | direct reports, it is a good idea to thank them for their |
| outside of our comfort zone, thanking those who we | | | | dedication to the company. They may feel nervous |
| enjoyed, and do something that makes us squirm a | | | | that their supervisor is leaving and they may feel |
| little... thanking those we did not enjoy. | | | | overwhelmed if they will be taking on some of your |
| Before you assume I mean writing a flowery, gushy | | | | work. Thanking them for their assistance and |
| note of faux praise to the Thorn In Your Side | | | | performance is the way to go, so you can leave them |
| (hereafter referred to as TIYS), don't get riled up. First, | | | | and hopefully avoid any resentful glances in the |
| breathe. Second, realize that often times a primary | | | | meantime! |
| motivator for this grand transition you're in the middle | | | | Three Quitter "Thank You" Dos |
| of either began with or was exacerbated by the TIYS. | | | | 1) DO write notes. E-mail will often suffice for clients |
| You actually have him or her (or them!) to thank for | | | | (check on your company's policy for contacting clients) |
| edging you toward this next chapter in your life! | | | | and TIYSs, but a handwritten note goes far in today's |
| We've talked about quitting with class, which includes | | | | fast-paced world. It says, "Wow, you thought of me |
| keeping your cool during your remaining weeks on the | | | | enough for a couple of minutes to actually write with |
| job. This includes being mellow and fair (notice I didn't | | | | ink!" That statement sounds tacky when it's typed out, |
| say "super nice") to TIYS. Like it or not, you may very | | | | but think of how you feel when you get a birthday |
| well run into TIYS later in life. However, since we've | | | | card in the mail versus an e-card in your inbox. The |
| already covered burning your bridges... get ready to | | | | thank you note is extraordinarily effective at conveying |
| say "Thank you!" to everyone. | | | | gratitude, especially when someone was either very |
| How many times have you seen a co-worker | | | | friendly or very critical in a mentoring or training role |
| disappear without so much as a word? You enjoyed | | | | with you. If you feel grateful, don't be afraid to tell them |
| their presence and you would have liked to keep in | | | | so! |
| contact, but once they left, they simply disappeared. | | | | 2) DO share your key personal contact information |
| Don't follow in their footsteps. Always say "Thank you" | | | | with potential networking colleagues. Notice this does |
| and "Goodbye." Done right, your exit can be a great | | | | not say, "Share your new business information..." If you |
| way to stay networked to those people who you | | | | know someone would be good to stay in contact with, |
| may run across again in the future. | | | | offer up a non-business e-mail, phone, or LinkedIn |
| Quitter "Thank You" Faux Pas | | | | Facebook address to keep in touch where |
| There are three quitter faux pas that you will want to | | | | appropriate. Besides, if you think this person may want |
| avoid when you exit. | | | | to know where you end up business-wise, this gives |
| 1) Not thanking your boss. Your boss signed (or at | | | | you a non-competitive platform to do so. If you aren't |
| least authorized) your paycheck every week. You're | | | | comfortable giving out your personal e-mail address, |
| likely to run into him or her again in the future either | | | | stick to public networking sites which have messaging |
| directly or indirectly through networking and job | | | | functions within them. |
| references. Not thanking your boss for the opportunity | | | | 3) DO keep in touch. "Keep in touch. Don't forget about |
| can be seen as a major faux pas. Invest in a set of | | | | us!" That is the polite thing to say when someone |
| nice-looking "Thank You" notes or a quality paper | | | | leaves. But if you want to tap into former friendships |
| stock to pen a note (not via e-mail) saying thank you | | | | and potential networking connections, keeping in touch |
| for the opportunity. Just like you did in your resignation | | | | is a must. If you knew someone's birthday, use that as |
| letter, keep it simple, professional and truthful. Deliver it | | | | an opportunity to say, "Hello!" If you know your former |
| in person if you are able to. | | | | company has a busy time at a certain point in the |
| 2) Not thanking the TIYSs in your office. They will | | | | year, drop a line to a former co-worker to say, "I know |
| notice when you give others notes or e-mails prior to | | | | it's probably busy over there. How are you holding up?" |
| your departure. Remember that people talk! As I | | | | This keeps the ties tight and makes you look great, |
| mentioned before, you do not need to write a gushy, | | | | provided you're being sincere. Give it a try today with |
| praise-bedecked letter to your resident TIYS. | | | | a former co-worker. |
| However, an e-mail or short note to say, "It has been a | | | | |