At some point in your career, it’s inevitable that you will have to quit a job. Whether you are relocating, climbing the career ladder, or simply needing a change, there are always reasons to move on from a position. But how you leave matters just as much as why you leave. Resigning the wrong way can damage your reputation and make those last few weeks even more difficult. So, how should you hand in your resignation?

Be Absolutely Sure You Want to Leave

Before you do anything, ask yourself if you’re leaving for the right reasons. It’s easy to make a quick decision if you have problems at work or a project is stressing you out, but step back and look at the bigger picture. Consider both the pros and cons of your current role. The last thing you want to do is hand in your resignation and immediately regret it.

Weigh how much your current circumstances influence your decision to leave, as it may only take a meeting with your boss to resolve some issues. Alternatively, you could use some of your PTO to refresh and see if you still feel the same when you return.

If you’ve thought it through and have another opportunity lined up, then you’re ready to take the next step. Keep in mind, if you’re a valuable team member, your employer may try to persuade you to stay. Be prepared for that conversation and know where you stand before it happens.

Write a Letter of Resignation

If you are absolutely sure that quitting is the right choice, you will need to go through the formality of writing a resignation letter. It should include four main parts:

1. Your contact information, your supervisor’s details, and a formal opening.
2. A statement that you are resigning from your position. (Include the date of your last day.)
3. A thank you to the company for their role in your development.
4. An offer to support a smooth transition.

Keep it short, clear, and courteous. You don’t need to go into detail about why you’re leaving, just make your intent and gratitude clear. A second paragraph showing your appreciation for the company will help maintain your reputation, and reassurance of a smooth transition helps put your boss’s mind at ease knowing that you will not leave the company in the lurch.

Meet With Your Supervisor

While it may feel easier to send your resignation by email, it is far more professional (and respectful) to meet your supervisor in person and deliver the news. It’s more nerve-racking, but your boss will appreciate the opportunity to discuss it with you in person.

When you go into the meeting, stay calm and be direct. Let them know you’re leaving, thank them for their support, and express your commitment while you are still at work. If your reasons for leaving are personal (like relocating or focusing on family), feel free to share that. It can help clarify that it’s not about the company.

Of course, there will be times when an in-person meeting won’t be possible. If you are working remotely, a phone call or a Zoom meeting are the best approach. Just make sure to follow up with your resignation letter via email after the meeting, not before.

Keep Working Hard Until the End

It might be tempting to mentally check out once you’ve given your notice, but you owe it to your boss to keep working hard and do your best to clear up your to-do list. Your work ethic during the final weeks will leave a lasting impression.

Try to complete as many outstanding projects as you can, and sort out the work that needs to be handed off so it’s easier for your replacement to step in. If possible, set up a meeting with your boss to explain the ins and outs of your job. Your supervisor will have an overview of your work, but everyone approaches tasks differently, and the detail may need extra explanation.

Keep Relationships Cordial

Even if your time at the company wasn’t ideal, it still pays to keep relationships cordial in those last few weeks and leave on good terms. Negative energy and burned bridges lead to an awkward atmosphere, but also reflect poorly on you. You never know when you may need to call on your colleagues for references or professional advice.

If the team has already found your replacement, offer to assist in training the new team member and help them get settled. You could also offer to keep up with emails after you’ve left to help the team make the transition, or be available for quick questions if needed.

Leaving a job is part of almost everyone’s career, so it’s important to handle it the right way. After all, your employment history stays with you forever. Keep everything cordial while remaining on your team’s good side, and you’ll set yourself up for success.

The process of looking for a new job can often be difficult, stressful, and even demoralizing. While there are many challenges involved in a job hunt, one of the most significant is having the determination to stay motivated. Maintaining energy and drive can be particularly difficult if the hunt lasts more than a few weeks. Below are six tips to help stay focused, on track, and positive while seeking your next career adventure.

Have a plan.

Every career-related undertaking requires a plan. Without a process to follow, you might start to feel lost, astray, and anxious. This basic approach includes a few key steps:

• Establish the parameters of your search (positions/titles, locations, salary range, etc.)
• Decide how and where to go about finding job openings (scour job search websites, set up email alerts, engage with a recruiting service, contact companies directly)
• Conduct your search (make detailed notes, set up reminders to periodically revisit your sources)
• Submit applications (maintain a detailed log of all submissions and correspondence)
• Prepare for interviews (research the companies you’re applying with, ensure you have the proper attire ready, be ready to interview with little notice)
• Be diligent with follow-ups (send brief post-interview thank you notes, check in with your contacts if you haven’t heard back)

Follow a routine.

If you’re currently unemployed, you aren’t required to wake up at a certain time, work a set number of hours, or maintain a certain level of productivity. Establishing and maintaining a routine is critical if you want to avoid falling into the procrastination trap, which can zap motivation and create financial stress. A good practice is to do the same things you did while you were working. Set your alarm clock, shower, get dressed (not pajamas), settle in at your computer, take breaks, and treat your day of job searching just like a workday. This will also help ease your transition back into the workforce when you land a job.

Improve skills.

While finding a job is a top priority, job hunting likely won’t take as many hours as does working a job. So, what should be done with the extra time? Rather than letting it go to waste, use it to build new skills. Take an online course, sign up for a community class, attend a webinar, get certified for a special skill set. Not only will this increase your value to companies, the sense of accomplishment from your new skills will do wonders for your morale and motivation.

Reflect on accomplishments.

Being unemployed for a certain period of time can sometimes be disheartening. When the job search stretches on, it’s easy to start feeling down. In moments like these, it’s important to reflect on past achievements to boost your motivation. Thinking back on past projects and difficult goals can remind you of what you’re capable of.

Relax.

There’s no getting around it: looking for work can often be stressful. And when the process drags on longer than you were prepared for, it can start to become overwhelming – both mentally and physically. In this situation, it’s important to take occasional breaks from the job hunt. Spend some time with family, attend an event with friends, go to a movie, take a walk in the park – anything that will give your brain a rest so that you can recharge. That may seem counterintuitive, but you must take care of your health in order to be your best self.

Focus on what can be controlled.

There’s a lot of uncertainty when job hunting. You could receive a job offer tomorrow, or it could be months – and often times there’s not much that you can do about it. To avoid feeling helpless, focus on what you can control: the process.