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Leaving your job
Linus, the worldly wise Peanuts cartoon character, shined only the
front of his shoes, because he didn't care what people thought of him
as he left the room. He was lucky. In senior management how you leave
a job is just as important as how you begin. Most of us prefer not to think about the final days we spend with an
employer. Ambitious people are either focusing on their current roles
or looking for new opportunities. Yet a well-managed exit can pay dividends
later in your career. The ideal scenario is to leave your current role when you choose and
because it's the right move for you. But being in the right place at
the right time doesn't just happen by chance. You need to keep a lookout for changes in your company and your sector
that could affect you. Know when it's time to move The more advance warning you have, the better prepared you will be
to plan your next move - or avoid having it imposed on you. If the main
aim of your exit strategy is to be ready with something better to go
on to, you need to learn how to predict change and read The tell-tale signs Executives need to have their 'antennae' out. Constantly, sensing any
developments that could impact their job, 6 or 12 months down the line. Being sensitive to company performance includes 'Me Inc'. You need
to be CEO of your own career management. Organize regular performance
reviews with you bosses to ensure they are on track and provide early
warning of any problems. While you're doing this, you need to stay connected outside your immediate
role. This means maintaining links with other networks, such as alumni
and professional associations. Build up contacts with the key people
in your industry wherever you can. This includes recruiters. Search consultants remember people who have
taken the time to help them - and one day you may need them. These steps will give you signs as to when it is the right time to
leave, but making the decision to exit from a job is always difficult.
It's human nature to hang on a little bit longer, and when things are
going well it may obscure what's best in the long term. You may well have immediate considerations. If financial security is important to you, it may be worth hanging on until you are pushed. But avoid staying on so long that people forget your earlier successes, like a fading sports star. No dramatic exits, please Once you've decided to leave, what's the best way to handle it? It's
important to maintain your professionalism every step of the way, no
matter how keen you are to move on. This starts with how you break the
news. The aim is not to spring any surprises but to soften the blow. The
golden rule of leaving is to defuse potential fall-out that could poison
your career trail. One technique is to ask for a meeting at the earliest opportunity to
"discuss some career choices you have made". Such a remark
usually only means one thing and your boss will appreciate the advance
warning. Once you decide to go, see it through Of course, giving your employer time to react can often mean they come
back to you with a counter-offer. This is the next test of your leaving
skills. Reiterate that your decision has not been made lightly and that you
are going to see it through in the most professional way. Being persuaded
to stay on it may assuage your guilt and buy your boss some time, but
it will do nothing to for your reputation - the underlying damage is
done. It's about trust. Resigning shows that you're capable of quitting the
team and you are ready to walk out. Senior management will always know
that - and the marriage will fail eventually. What goes around, comes around You are managing the end of a relationship that takes up most of your
waking hours. But, however emotionally charged the situation, avoid
getting personal. Even high-caliber people can fall into this trap. Never use the opportunity
that you're leaving to tell somebody what you've thought of them, because
whatever sector you're in the world is small and it will always come
back to bite you. An example of a manager who got into a row with his boss when he decided
to leave his bank for a competitor, and four months later, the bank
bought his new employer and the manager knew he was finished. With consolidation
across almost every business, it's important to keep relationships on
the up and up. Be positive - it'll pay dividends for you. Avoid opportunities to unload, for example, at exit interviews. And
remember that the way you behave with superiors and peers during this
time will often come out during the reference-taking process. Search
consultants often use a 360-degree approach. They will contact many
of the people you worked with, so think carefully about the impression
you leave on people. Coping when it's not your decision This is even more important when career change is imposed on you. Many,
if not all, of us will experience the pain of being let go at some point.
In this situation, it is vital to maintain your professionalism so that
people remember you in a positive light. You may feel resentment towards your company, but don't let it show. Even if it means gritting your teeth, try to stay upbeat. Remember, this could be the last memory people will have of you, so follow the same advice as if you had been leaving out of choice. Don't leave empty-handed There are some practical tips to cope with the shock of being let go,
apart from the usual outplacement. Ask your superiors and peers for
letters of recommendation before you leave your employer, a tactic that
creates something good out of a bad situation. Negotiate use of company facilities so you can begin your search for
another role. It is also recommended that you have several ongoing projects.
Your most important goal is career momentum, so use your professional
skills while you're job-hunting, for example paid or unpaid consulting.
Finish like a professional Anyone can start something. The real test of professionalism is how
you finish. Whether or not it was your decision to leave, you owe it
to yourself to project a positive professional attitude throughout your
last days with an employer. The critical question in reference-taking,
is would you want to work with that person again? Making sure the answer
is "yes" often depends on how well you manage your exit. How to achieve a professional finish Remember the way you leave your job makes an impact on people you worked
with - and you won't have a second chance to put things right. Here
is some action you can take:
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