10 Things to Do Before Your Last Day at Work
You’ve given your current employer two weeks’ notice that you’re resigning. Whether you’re leaving to go back to school or to work for another company, there are a few items you should take care of before your last day at work. Below are ten things to cross off your list prior to departing for your new endeavor.
1. Submit a polite resignation letter
Some companies require you to submit a formal resignation letter either in writing or via e-mail. It’s sufficient to simply state that you’re leaving and list the last date you’ll work. There’s never a reason to vent, complain, or state anything else in this letter. If you aren’t sure when or how to submit this letter, ask your boss immediately after you resign in person.
2. Clean up your stuff
Delete all personal files and e-mails from your computer. Clean up any documents and spreadsheets you’ve saved on public drive space, deleting anything that your co-workers wouldn’t use moving forward. Finally, make sure your cube, desk, and any other physical work space that you call your own is tidied up before you go. Spend a few bucks on Lysol wipes if you’ve neglected to keep your workstation free of crumbs and dust bunnies.
3. Discuss outstanding and future benefits
Set up a meeting with your HR representative to settle up any unused vacation time, unpaid salary, or any other benefits that are owed to you. You’ll also want to know which date your medical, dental, and vision insurance is no longer active so that you can obtain new coverage in time. It’s best if your last day is near the beginning of the month because your benefits will remain active until the last day of that month. COBRA is an option for continued health coverage for many individuals that participated in an employer’s group insurance plan. It’s in your best interest to proactively set up this meeting prior to your exit interview, as you want to ensure that HR has enough time to help you get everything settled.
4. Transition your workload
Ask your boss and co-workers how they’d like you to handle the transition of your existing responsibilities and project work. It’s helpful to make a list of everything you’re currently working on and create detailed documentation of what’s been done and what’s outstanding. This will help your team carry out these responsibilities and finish projects even after you leave. If you work with external clients, ask your manager how you should alert these folks that you’ll be transitioning the account to someone else.
5. Ask for a reference or a recommendation
Assuming you’re leaving on good terms, this is a great time to ask your manager or a few co-workers to serve as a reference in the future. Ask these people which phone number should be used to reach them, and promise that you’ll alert them if you do ever list them as a reference in the future. You could also ask for recommendations via LinkedIn, especially if you go ahead and write recommendations for key contacts at the company prior to making your requests. It’s great to leave a company with some positive feedback on your record!
6. Update your resume
Spend a few minutes making sure you jot down all of the projects you completed during your time on the job. It’s always best to quantify your accomplishments in terms of incremental transactions, revenue, productivity, or team morale. You can also quantify savings in costs or time. Updating your resume while your work is fresh on your mind will save you a lot of time and headache later on.
7. Finish strong
If you’re reading through this article, you likely have a good reputation at the company you’re about to leave. If that’s the case, it’s important to finish your two weeks as strong as possible. Continue to work decent hours (don’t come in super late or leave unreasonably early), and make sure you work hard to complete everything you need to before you go.
8. Check out with HR before you go
Many companies offer an in-person exit interview prior to your last day. This is a great time to make sure your unpaid benefits are taken care of, sign any necessary documentation, and ask any final outstanding questions. During this interview, you may be asked to share your opinions about your time at work. It typically doesn’t do you any good to share negative opinions about individuals you’ve worked with. If you have constructive criticism about the overall organization or culture that you feel comfortable sharing, make sure you keep your comments high level and positive. It’s also a nice touch to share some of the truly positive things about your time at the company to balance any criticisms.
9. Say goodbye
Head to LinkedIn and make sure you’re connected to all of your current co-workers that you’d like to stay in touch with. Finally, send a note to say farewell to the colleagues you’ve worked with – feel free to say where you’re going and provide your contact info. Sending personal e-mails is best, but you can send a mass note as long as you enter email addresses in the BCC line.
10. Leave on a positive note
Refrain from bashing a manager, co-worker, or the company in front of the co-workers you’re leaving. You have a right to be super excited about your next move, but there’s no reason to throw it in anyone’s face or join in negative gossip sessions during the last leg of your journey. You’ve worked hard to transition everything, get recommendations, and nurture some relationships you hope to keep well into the future. It’s only common sense to end this chapter of your career on a positive note.
By: Gale Bowman
6-28-2010
After graduating from Notre Dame, Gale realized that young professionals need a source of reliable information as they face “real world” challenges. Gale manages WhatCollegeForgot.com and is pursuing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
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