9 Professional Ways to Quit Your Job on Good Terms

Whether you've landed your dream job or are quietly backing away from a role that just wasn't the right fit, leaving a job is rarely easy. It's a mix of excitement, nerves, and possibly some awkward moments. Hopefully, that's where I come in, because how you leave matters just as much as how you showed up.

I've been on both sides of the desk and can say with confidence that leaving well is a skill worth practicing. Protecting your reputation and keeping relationships strong matters for whatever's next.

Here are nine ways to say goodbye without burning bridges.

1. Schedule a conversation

Resigning by email or text might feel like the path of least resistance, but it's not the most respectful way to leave. Instead, schedule a face-to-face conversation if possible. If you're working remotely, a video call works too. Once you've shared the news in person, follow up with a formal resignation letter in writing.

2. Give proper notice

The standard is still two weeks' notice. If a new boss pressures you to skip out early, that's a red flag. Most great leaders will encourage you to treat your current employer the way they want to be treated. If you think it would be nice to skip the two weeks and have a little vacation before your new gig, think twice. Your future self will thank you for sticking it out.

3. Spreading the news

Your boss should always be the first to know. I get it. Sometimes your work friends become best friends, and you want to share everything. But when it comes to job changes, it's best to play it close to your chest. Wait until your manager has had a chance to share the news or give you the green light.

4. Set the next person up for success

It's good karma to set your successor up for, well, success. Leave behind what you wish you had on day one. That could mean a quick guide, project notes, background details, or important contacts. If your seat hasn't been filled by the time you leave, give the information to your supervisor so they can share it.

5. Finish strong

As a hiring manager for over 20 years, I have seen this more times than I can count. Even before they resigned, people came down with a bad case of short-timer's disease.

I get it. You've got one foot out the door. But here's the thing. Work until you're not. Even when it's tempting to mentally check out, your last impression can be just as powerful as your first. Make it a good one.

6. Ask for references

You may not need them now, but you probably will later. Ask your manager or a close colleague while your work is still fresh in their minds. If you feel comfortable, offer a few talking points to make it easier for them.

7. Review HR details

Before you go, schedule a few minutes to go over benefits, unused time off, retirement contributions, or anything else you're unsure about. Don't wait until you're out the door to ask.

8. Skip the social media rant

It's tempting, I know. But there's a big difference between a private conversation and a public one. Once it's online, it's out there forever, even if you try to be anonymous.

Depending on the timing of your departure and the company culture, it's easy for people to connect the dots. If you need to vent, have a direct but polite conversation with someone inside the organization or talk it through with someone you trust offline.

9. Say thank you

A follow-up note to your employer after you leave is one of the best things you can do. It's a small world. You never know when your paths might cross again or when you'll need a reference for your next big move.

Better endings lead to better beginnings. When you exit with etiquette, you protect your professional reputation and can continue to build great relationships.