It’s that time of year again when LinkedIn is buzzing withpromotions, career changes and ‘thrilled to share’ announcements, which all serve as reminders that the first quarter of the year is a peak time for job moves.
But when we do land something new, our focus often narrows instantly to theNew job: How do I hit the ground running? How do I prove they made the right choice? What will my first 90 days look like? Do I need a new wardrobe?
Our energy is understandably poured into beginnings, from the impression we’ll make to the credibility we’ll build and the quick wins we’ll secure. But, in that rush toward talking and thinking about what’s next, we often forget what we’re leaving behind.
Leaving can become just a checklist: draft the letter, book the meeting, survive the awkwardness, wrap up the handover, send the goodbye emails. And yet, leaving a role is far more than an administrative step; it is a professional milestone – one that can shape your reputation long after your out-of-office goes up for the final time.
“People might feel confident navigating the exciting yet tricky terrain of switching jobs as they pursue their next steps and professional aspirations, but one of the commonly forgotten steps to consider as part of this process is how to leave the current job well,” saysDeborah Bulcock, an award-winning executive coach and strategic advisor.
Leaving for pastures new is somewhat inevitable. “For us to develop and advance, there comes a point where we have to leave something, whether that be a job, a team, a department or even the company,” Bulcock says. “Yet, in order to progress, leaving something behind is a natural step in the process, and that shouldn’t mean just shutting the door on the way out. Instead, there’s real value in ‘leaving well’.”
But what does ‘leaving well’ look like?
It doesn’t just mean leaving on good terms; it’s so much more than this,” says Bulcock. “Good terms can simply mean that ‘we haven’t fallen out’, whereas ‘leaving well’ is being intentional about how you exit and what that means for your reputation and sense of achievement, as well as your team and key relationship – all of which can influence your future.
According to Bulcock, people remember how you exit, and in a small professional world, that can have long-term consequences. Leaving well shows integrity, commitment and reliability, all leadership traits that future employers notice. It also contributes to a legacy you can be proud of: something to reflect on, learn from and carry forward into your next role.
Keeping your reputation and relationships intact isn’t just polite – it’s smart, strategic, and always worth the effort,” she insists. “In fact, treat your exit as a well-defined move in your career trajectory. Whether you’re aiming to climb the corporate ladder or eventually strike out on your own, leaving on good terms keeps doors open and relationships intact. Strong professional networks and a solid reputation are assets that will follow you into every future role or entrepreneurial venture.
How to leave a job ‘well’ in 3 steps
1. Ask yourself the right questions before you go
You’ve handed in your notice. Your name is signed on the dotted line of a new contract. What do you do next? Before you think about any big announcements, Bulcock advises asking yourself the following questions:
- When you think about closing the door on this chapter, what do you want people to say about you and your work?
- What relationships do you want to maintain moving forward and how will you ensure you’ve taken the action to enable this?
- To whom would you like to offer your gratitude, and why?
“Taking the time to do this and being specific with your words of farewell and thanks can be a powerful act, leaving the last right impression,” she explains.
2. Think about your reputation and legacy
How you leave a role isn’t just about today – it’s about tomorrow, too.
Your reputation is more than achievements or titles. It’s personal; it’s about how you show up every day, how you communicate and influence, how you’ve shaped culture, and the lasting impression on your team and organisation,” says Bulcock. “Reputation matters and is carried with you into new organizations and beyond. How you leave a role or organization is the final contribution to your enduring reputation with those people. Making it a good one is more than doing the right thing; it’s a wise move with the future in mind.
Legacy is often thought of towards the end of your career. Maybe written about in a retirement speech, when in fact it’s something that you build every day. How you leave a role is a key part of your legacy. It’s far more than a polite goodbye; it’s about enhancing your reputation and building an enduring positive impact – one you continually develop throughout your career.
3. Take stock before you move on
Natural breaks between roles allow time to reflect on what you have achieved, the contributions you have made and the lessons you have learned along the way,” she advises. “It allows you to decide what comes with you, what gets left behind and what you want to change as part of this next step. Too often, we rush from one role straight into the next without pausing to properly acknowledge the ground we’ve covered.
When you leave intentionally, you can do so with your head held high, confident that you’ve given your best and left a positive impact. That sense of achievement isn’t just for others to notice; it’s something you carry with you into your next chapter, giving you momentum, confidence, and clarity as you step into what comes next.
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