Leaving an organisation should be handled with utmost professionalism and grace. Knowing how to leave a job is as important as your reason for leaving. No one wants to quit a job with the mind that they will come back, but how you leave will determine the possibility of coming back. It will also influence the goodwill you will continue to enjoy from your company, colleagues, and associates after you have left. It is, therefore, necessary to leave on a good note.
This article shares some insightful checklists to consider before leaving a job. It also helps those who do not have any other job in place and those that probably need a career break to explore options like going back to school, spending time with family or relocation.
Do your homework
Doing your homework can not be overemphasized. It should be primary to deciding on quitting your job. Whether the plan is to start a business or moving to another job, you need to arm yourself with beneficial information. Ask questions like: What is the new place like?
What are the culture and the vision? What are opportunities open for you there? Are there financial and legal considerations like licenses for those starting a business? Who are your competitors, and what unique solution are you offering the industry? You can access some of these data by conducting some basic market research using digital tools conveniently at almost no cost.
Organize your finances and step up your emergency fund
It’s harder to get a loan when you are out of work. This should cause you to organize your finances, especially when you need extra cash outside your budget. Also, you need an emergency fund to avoid falling into doubt and anxiety if your expectations are not forthcoming. The general rule of thumb is to have 3-6 months’ worth of expenses saved up as an emergency fund, but it is safer to save more if you don’t have another job ready yet.
Use your benefits
As an employee, you are entitled to certain benefits. Do you have unused medical privileges and checkups? If yes, this is the time to use them.
While there might be a new insurance plan for you in your new organisation, you may not be able to activate it as soon as possible. So, fix an appointment date with your doctor and get pending healthcare issues attended to.
Follow up with moving your retirement account
Ensure you transfer your retirement account every time you change jobs. It is extremely important to securing your future financially, and a vital aspect of job transition.
Every pension account is flexible, allowing employees to maintain their Retirement Savings Account (RSA) when they move to a new employer, while your account remains with the same Pension Fund Administrator (PFA).
Transfer your pension account by submitting your RSA PIN to your new employer, who then sends it to your PFA with your PFA account details. After this change is implemented, your PFA will continue to credit your old RSA with your current employer's contributions.
However, according to Pencom's Enhanced Customers Registration System (ECRS), those who opened their account before July 2018 will need to have a data recapture with their existing PFA to enable them to transfer their account from one employer to the other seamlessly. While those who opened their RSA account after July 2018 do not need a data recapture process.
You will need the following for data recapture: Employment letter, National ID card, 1 passport photograph, and Birth certificate/ age declaration.
Avoid burning bridges
Avoid burning bridges on your way out. The tendency to burn bridges is high when you’ve had a bad experience at a job. It is however easier to avoid when you are forearmed.
Be very professional about your exit. Give enough notice; the standard is two weeks, but if your organisation’s policy differs, ensure to follow it to the book. If you are an employee with specialized skill sets or you hold a higher position, then you might consider giving a longer notice.
Prepare your resignation and the necessary documentation to help ease the job of the person taking over your position. Burning bridges can damage your career reputation, avoid it as much as possible.
Avoid burning bridges on your way out. The tendency to burn bridges is high when you’ve had a bad experience at a job. It is however easier to avoid when you are forearmed.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ernest Ademola Ehigie is a Copywriter, Content Developer, Author, Brand Consultant, and Communications Manager with over 5 years in marketing communications. He has written several articles, policy documents, press releases, radio and TV adverts for businesses and organizations. He's the author of the book, "Why You Must Lead" and currently works as a content manager for Detail and Avedia, a leading retail and media consulting firm.
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