Two Weeks Notice
After getting a new job, I know you’re excited to begin your new adventure. But you cannot forget the delicate dance known as the Two Weeks Notice. Everyone’s situation is different, so keep that in mind. I’m just sharing how my recent two weeks notice played out.
Team Courtesy
I debated my approach a few times. Do I give my teammates a brief warning before making it official or do I allow them to enjoy their weekend and let them find out with everyone else? I dropped the news on Friday and picked their brains on how to delivery the death blow.
Drama Queen
If you’ve been following for awhile, you know I am a little dramatic and over the top. In my head, I thought my team would be devastated and my company would grind to a standstill. Reality check as everyone barely blinked. Business is business. They understood my decision and quickly moved on to more pressing items. I took a step back. What happened? I’ve always been sentimental and have a romanticized view of work. Obviously my team and company are not the same way. Perhaps I was not being truthful with myself. Who wants to think they are just a cog in a machine that can be easily replaced without a second thought?
Resignation Letter
Before sending my letter, I talked it over with my supervisor. We had a great open discussion about why I was leaving. He even offered some pointers on how to form my resignation letter. When (day resigning and last day), Why (reasons I am resigning), and Positive Spin so I am leaving on good terms and not burning any bridges.
Last Hurrah
In keeping with the not burning bridges theme, my closest teammates and I went out for drinks one last time. It was just what the doctor ordered. We reminisced on our highlights and lowlights. We caught up with some personal news. We looked to the future with hope and the promise to keep in touch. Good times.
Final Thoughts
I tied up some loose ends with work, did some knowledge transfer, and wrote a few until next time notes to teammates in other geographical locations. I also shot a thank you note to upper management thanking them for the opportunity and praising them for their leadership. I did have some issues with office politics and left a comment during my exit interview survey. I pointed out an issue which everyone already knows about, but didn’t add too much venom, leaving the door for me to return if our paths cross again. Until next time.
Stay Inspired!
Buck
Two weeks notice is a great movie! My wife and I watched this movie. And even it’s a comedy, you can get some information which is relevant in your daily life as an employee. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks Richard. Thoughts the trailer looked interesting. Need to check it out!
Most of my jobs so far have had predetermined end dates because they were internships, summer jobs where I was only in town until a certain date, or when I was working at a summer camp. I hate the thought of having to go in and tell my boss I’m leaving, though. I don’t like disappointing people or feeling like I’m not following through on something even though there’s nothing wrong with changing jobs. I applaud the way you handled it and I hope that when I need to do the same I can have as smooth of an experience with it as you did.
Thanks for the kind words. Im sure you will be fine when you run into a job change. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders!
The bottom line is that as far as institutions and companies go, we are all replaceable. The President is replaced every four years. I would think that might be a position where continuity would be beneficial. Not to mention at any time, you could die. Again, you would be replaced.
Yeap, you’re just a cog man. Mrs. RB40 found out the hard way too. She thought the company would grind to a halt when she left, but life goes on. Everyone is replaceable these days. I carry no illusion about that.
Great job with leaving on a good term though. I haven’t decided yet on how I would go out. I wouldn’t mind burning some bridges since I won’t be back. 🙂
Thanks RB40! You might not go back, but what if they know a future boss or client? Just be careful out there!
Harsh reality, but true. We all will face the grim reaper one day. We better make the most of it!
Burning bridges is never a good thing – great work to balance the short departure and leaving things in a good state. Congrats again on the new job!
Agreed. You always want to keep your reputation in tact. You never know how those people or that company will circle back into your life at a later date. It is better to be prepared.
Is there a saying, all you have really is your reputation?
Thanks Corey, Im sure you would have done just as well or better!
You’re going out a winner. I think it’s important to leave a workplace the right way, by that I mean turning-over with the right people all necessary information. Intellectual property is highly valuable, and proprietary. It always pays to do it the right way. Nicely done.
Thanks Hunter, Im sure you had smooth exits as well!
I enjoyed watching the trailer! I would surely watch this as a whole, I think I’m gonna enjoy this to the max!
Have fun and let me know how it goes!
A graceful exit, that’s the best way to go! Congrats on your new endeavor Buck!
Thanks MC, Im sure you had a few graceful exits yourself!
You’re doing things the right way. I’ve always done the same. It’s more than a personal interest thing too, but a matter of consideration a la the old golden rule. A hasty unexpected departure that disrupts a workplace is not just burning bridges-it’s blowing them up. You never when you’ll need old friend or for that matter old colleagues even if they weren’t really your friends.
I’ve gotta check out that movie. It looks pretty funny.
Lee
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Tossing It Out
Well said Lee, well said. Im sure your old jobs have nothing but great things to say about you!
Always important to leave on a good note 😉 Good luck with the new venture Buck! 🙂
So true. Thanks Mary!
What is it with all these financial bloggers quitting their jobs lately? I guess it is the end of the year or something else… better jobs are out there? The grass if finally greener? lol I wish you all the best, Buck! My rule is NEVER EVER burn bridges because the world (especially business world) is much smaller than you think!
That time of year? Yeah cant explain it. The world is incredibly small nowadays. Thanks Aloysa!
People will most remember the way you went out, not the way you came in.
Good show, Buck!
Thanks 101C, Im sure you would have done the same!
Nice trailer, gotta see if netflix has that, haha.
Good job on not burning the bridges.
Thanks IIW! Is Netflix still alive?
It sounds like you left gracefully. I have been in the same spot and wanted to make sure I headed out on a positive note. You never know when your old network will come in handy, so burning bridges is never a good idea.
When I was younger I didn’t think much about networking. Nowadays I finally see it really is about who you know. Thanks!
I think everyone is surpised at how fast work life moves on after we leave a position – like water closing over a hole. During your two weeks, it is also a good idea to make sure that all of your work is wrapped up nicely or handed over to the next guy so they can take up the reins smoothly. Also, capturing home emails and phone numbers so you can stay in touch is something to think about.
Great advice Marie! I wrapped things up pretty nicely. I didn’t do too well on the collecting of personal information, but I can track them down at work. Thanks again!