Saying goodbye to a job is rarely easy. Even if you’re excited about a new opportunity, you likely want to leave on good terms and avoid burning bridges with your soon-to-be former boss — no matter how tempting it might feel in the moment.
These days, many people don’t stay at a single job for long. Changing roles can bring higher pay, broader networks and new skills, so moving on is often a smart career move. Still, before you hand in your two weeks’ notice, there are several practical steps that will help you depart professionally and respectfully.
Below are 14 important actions to take before you give notice so you can leave with your reputation intact and make the transition smoother for colleagues and managers alike.
Practice What You’ll Say About Your Departure
Decide how you’ll explain your decision to your boss and coworkers. Whether you’re leaving for a better role, a career change, or because the fit wasn’t right, keep your explanation concise, constructive and positive. There’s no need to air grievances — you may cross paths with these people again in your career.
Be gracious: thank your manager for the opportunity and acknowledge what you gained from the role without dwelling on negatives.
Create a Clear Exit Plan
Prepare a transition plan outlining how you’ll handle responsibilities during your remaining time. Presenting a thoughtful two-week roadmap shows professionalism, reduces disruption for your team and demonstrates you care about a smooth handoff.
Extra tip: Print a copy of the plan to give your manager — it’s a useful reference if questions arise later.
Prepare Your Projects for Handover
Don’t abandon in-progress work. Document the status of projects, list outstanding tasks, share deadlines and recommend next steps. Draft emails you can send to coworkers that summarize your responsibilities and who will take them over. Clear communication minimizes confusion and helps colleagues pick up where you left off.
Draft Departure Emails
Prepare an email to notify your contacts about your departure and direct them to an appropriate point of contact going forward. Send this to colleagues and clients on the same day or the day after you give notice. Doing so saves you time and prevents repetitive messages while you focus on the transition.
Warning: don’t send a company-wide message before you’ve told your manager.
Transfer Personal Files
Start cleaning your work computer and backing up personal documents well before you give notice. This can take time, so beginning early ensures you won’t be rushed. Also prepare for the possibility that you may be asked to leave immediately upon giving notice, so having personal files saved in advance avoids last-minute stress.
Save Contact Information
If you’ll remain in the same industry, staying connected with professional contacts is helpful. If company policy permits, compile an address book or spreadsheet of relevant contacts and send it to your new email account. Always avoid taking proprietary data, trade secrets, or confidential information — check policies before copying any company-held contacts.
Decide Your Preferred Last Day
Know the date you’d like to finish. Some people prefer a short break between jobs, others want to start the new role immediately. Have your preferred last day in mind before speaking with your manager, but be prepared for negotiation if the employer suggests an alternate date.
Review the Employee Handbook
Read the sections of your employee manual that relate to resignations, notice periods and HR procedures. Some companies require longer notice or specific steps such as informing HR in writing. Knowing these policies ahead of time prevents surprises and helps you follow company protocol.
Clarify Your Benefits and Entitlements
Check which benefits continue after departure and whether you can receive payout for unused vacation or sick time. Understand options for retirement accounts and how to handle employer-sponsored health insurance during the transition. Contact benefits administrators to confirm next steps so you don’t face gaps in coverage or missed deadlines.
Prepare for the Exit Interview
Many employers conduct exit interviews to collect feedback. Think through constructive, professional responses about your experience, role and workplace culture. Be honest but respectful — this is an opportunity to help the organization improve without burning bridges.
Return Company Property
Collect any company-owned items — devices, keys, ID badges, documents or equipment — and be ready to return them. Having these items gathered when you give notice makes the final steps straightforward and prevents delays or follow-up requests.
Write Recommendations for Coworkers
As a thoughtful gesture, consider writing LinkedIn recommendations for colleagues who helped or mentored you. Honest, appreciative endorsements are a kind way to leave a positive impression and may be reciprocated down the line.
Save Work Samples and Positive Feedback
Before you leave, gather examples of your work and copy any positive feedback, testimonials or metrics that demonstrate your contributions. These artifacts will be valuable for updating your resume, portfolio or professional profiles and can be collected in advance so you’re not sorting through records after hours.
Draft a Thoughtful Goodbye Message
Prepare a brief, positive farewell note to send to teammates and collaborators on your final day. Thank people for the experience, share a personal email if you’re open to staying in touch, and keep the message concise. A gracious closing helps maintain professional relationships and preserves a strong final impression.
Leaving a job thoughtfully takes effort, but the time you invest in planning and communication pays off. You’ll reduce disruption for your team, maintain professional relationships and ensure your career moves forward on good terms.