Leaving a Job Gracefully

Two-week exit plan that protects your reputation, your benefits, and your sanity.

Before You Tell Anyone

• Signed offer in hand from new employer (if applicable)
• Background check and references cleared
• Review your current contract: notice period, non-compete, IP clauses
• Save personal files, contacts, and portfolio examples to personal drive

Resignation Day

• Tell your manager first, in person or video — never by Slack
• Hand over a brief, professional resignation letter
• State your last day clearly; offer standard 2 weeks unless contract says otherwise
• Don't share where you're going unless you want to

Handoff

• Document every recurring task, login, and stakeholder
• Update project trackers so status is current on day one without you
• Schedule knowledge-transfer calls with whoever inherits your work
• Write a 'how I did this job' doc — your future self in references will thank you

Benefits & Money

• Confirm last paycheck date and unused PTO payout
• Roll 401(k) to IRA or new employer plan within 60 days
• Decide on COBRA vs. marketplace health insurance
• Submit any outstanding expense reports immediately
• Request final pay stub and W-2 mailing address

Last Week

• Return laptop, badge, keys, company card
• Connect with key colleagues on LinkedIn before access dies
• Ask 2-3 trusted people for LinkedIn recommendations
• Send a brief, warm goodbye message — no burning bridges, ever
• Forward important emails or save key info before account closes