So, for whatever reasons, you have decided it’s time to move on from your job – what do you need to do before quitting your job so that you won’t regret it? Quitting your job will come with different emotions; you have to say goodbye to Colleagues and some things you have come to love working for the company.
Amidst all the emotions that come with resigning from your job, it’s not only crucial that you quit your job on good terms, but you also don’t shortchange yourself while trying to leave.
That’s why I have put this resignation checklist together to guide you through your journey of saying goodbye to your job – whether it is to get a new job or start a new business.
In this article, I will take you through 10 things to do before you quit your job. This is to help you transit smoothly to the job market without fears or worry.
1. Plan Your Next Move Before Quitting Your Job.
Do not resign from your job without having a plan for your next move – no matter how faint the plan is.
What’s your next move after resigning from your work?
Do you have a job offer in line? If yes, what’s the starting date and salary?
Are you starting a new business?
Or do you intend to focus on your side hustles?
You have to think deeply about this and have a concrete plan before you resign. Get a book and pen, and write out in as much detail as possible what your next steps are, when you leave your current job.
2. Do a Skill Assessment.
What are your skills? and how proficient are you using these skills?
You must have picked up some skills and improved on existing ones during your period of working at the organisation.
Think and list out those skills. Do not forget to include soft skills in your skills assessment. Soft skills are crucial for career growth as they show how well you can relate and work with others.
Are the skills competitive enough to land a new juicy job offer?
If not, what skills do you need to acquire to make you stand out in the job market?
Having an updated knowledge of your skills and proficiency level will help you craft a good CV. It will also help in salary negotiation as you will have a good idea of your value in the marketplace.
3. Update Your CV and LinkedIn Profile.
You will soon be needing your curriculum vitae (CV), so it’s a no-brainer to keep it updated for when you need it.
Update your CV and LinkedIn profile with all your responsibilities, achievements, new skills, and projects that will make you stand out in the job market. Do not be humble in talking about your accomplishments.
It is better for you to do this before you leave the current company where you work when all the information is still fresh in your head.
4. Objectively Assess Your Finances Before Quitting Your Job
Money! Money!! Money!!!
Money is hugely vital to your day to day living and mental health. While you are in-between jobs with no salary, you will still be spending money on food, communication, and many other crucial needs.
Therefore, you have to make sure you are rich enough to resign. Ask yourself the following questions:
Do you have enough money to resign from your job right now?
Do you have an emergency fund?
How is your emergency fund?
How many months of salary do you have saved?
Have you paid off your house rent?
Are you in debt?
Take a good look at your finances to ensure that you can afford to resign right now. It’s advisable to have 3 – 6 months salary saved as an emergency fund.
You must be financially stable before leaving your job; so that you won’t be under any form of financial pressure after resigning.
When you are free from money trouble, you can make sound decisions concerning your career. And, if you don’t have enough money now to resign, start saving up!
5. Redo Your Budget Before Quitting Your Job
Now is the time to cut down on some expenses; this is especially important if you don’t have a job offer waiting for you before your resignation.
You need to redo your budget!
There will be no salary coming in immediately after resignation so you need to ensure that your savings are spent only on essential needs.
You will have to put lots of expensive wants (like weekly cinema, frequent shopping, constant eating out, and many more) on hold for the time being to ensure that money is channeled to the right direction.
Bring out your journal, make a list of things that you will have to cut down on, for the main-time, till you get another job – or start making money over again.
Make a budget on how you intend to spend the available money after your resignation, and stick to it.
6. Give Recommendations to Colleagues.
There are a few colleagues in the organisation and some clients that need your recommendations.
LinkedIn has made it super-easy to give references nowadays, check them up on LinkedIn and write a good recommendation for each of them, focusing on their strength.
Remember, if you don’t have anything good to say about a colleague, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!
Write a honest and strong recommendation for them, focusing on the pros of working with them, professionalism and work ethics.
Be kind and honest in your recommendation.
7. Ask for Recommendations
Make a list of people that you have worked with that can help you write a positive reference. The list should include supervisors, clients, colleagues, and juniors, who can testify to your exceptional work ethics, professionalism, and the other good qualities you bring to the table.
Reach out to these people and politely ask for a recommendation. It’s necessary to do this before leaving the organisation when they still have a fresh memory of you.
8. Save Your Work Sample Before Quitting Your Job
You must have samples of your work to add to your portfolio to convince your future employer or clients about your ability to deliver results for them. Save these samples on your drives or personal computer to avoid losing them when you quit your job.
Ensures that these samples are not bound by any non-disclosure agreement or any other legal restriction.
These samples are a testament to how good you are at your craft and will come in handy when you resign from your current job.
Once you submit your resignation letter, access to companies file and devices will be monitored, or at worst, restricted, so save your work sample before you hand in your resignation letter.
9. Clean Your Computer/Mobile Devices
The next thing to do before quitting your job is to clear work computers and mobile devices. Remove all personal files on your work computer and mobiles devices. Clear the browser history (especially when you visit many websites that are not work-related during office hours), delete all saved passwords and forms, and sign out from personal accounts or emails on the work devices.
Don’t forget to uninstall those non-work-related Applications that you install on the phone and move emails that you want to keep from your company emails to your emails.
The devices will be handed to another person after you go – make sure there is no personal or sensitive information on the devices.
10. Tell Your Boss
This might not look as important as the other points on the list, but it’s necessary if you are big on maintaining a good relationship with your boss.
Before you submit your resignation letter to the Human Resource, walk to your boss’ office (or hop on a Zoom call if you’re working remotely) and talk with your boss (that is, your immediate supervisor) to let him/her know you’re resigning.
Do not let your boss know about your resignation through HR, or worst, other people in the organisation. Remember, you will still need your boss for future recommendation.
Therefore, be polite and respectful in your approach. This time is not the period to vent or say nasty things about the company. Although it’s not compulsory, you can let your boss know your reason for leaving.
There you have it – these are the 10 things to do before quitting your job. These “resignation checklist“ will help you leave your job on a good note and without any form of anxiety about what the future holds.
Is there anything that you think is worth doing before leaving your job that’s not on our resignation checklist? Please do let me know in the comment box below.
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