24 Aug Leaving a Job

The following are excerpts taken from an article written by Sue Shellenbarger, in the Wall Street Journal.

Emotions run high during a last day on a job.  You want to vent frustrations with colleagues, have a few laughs, or just disappear.

The last impression is the one people remember.

Many departing employees forget that former bosses and colleagues are likely to become references, customers, clients or colleagues in the future, says Phyllis Hartman, and Ingomar, Pa., human-resources consultant.

Departing employees often reason that they’ll never use a previous employer as a reference, but tales of last-day behavior spread via “backdoor references,” says David Lewis, president of OperationsInc, a Norwalk, Conn., human-resources consulting firm.  Prospective employers do network.

When asked “why are you leaving?”, cite general reasons, such as a new opportunity, an easier commute or a better fit for your family, avoiding any talk of mistreatment or other complaints.

Some avoid the discomfort by going MIA – leaving a sticky note on their chair and exiting early.  This makes an indelible impression, says Patti Johnson, chief executive of PeopleResults, a Dallas career and workplace consulting firm.

She suggests being proactive:  Seek out bosses and mentors to thank them for the specific ways they helped.

“If you need to unload, do it on a bar stool next to your buddies,” says Pittsburgh human-resources consultant Gillian Florentine.

The remainder of the article discusses exit-interviews and being escorted out.

As an employment agency, Integrated Staffing has experienced several inappropriate exits by associates.  You never know how or when a contact you have made in the past may benefit you in the future – or not.  Remember to always be professional and courteous!