Congratulations! You’ve found the legal support position you’ve been dreaming of. Now, it’s time to inform your current boss and co-workers that they are about to become your former boss and co-workers.
How can you navigate this often awkward conversation with dignity and grace that will preserve your professional connections at your former employer and help you launch the next step in your career? Keep these four tips in mind:
- Plan ahead. Just as you planned and prepared for the interview that landed you this job, it is time to plan and prepare for how you will exit. Many working relationships have been damaged when an exiting employee told a friend in confidence about the new job – only to find the news spread all over the department in the worst possible way.
Don’t let this become your fate. Instead, decide what you will say about your transition, to whom, and in what order. Keep the news off social media until everyone at your workplace has adjusted to the fact that you’ll be leaving shortly.
- Be straightforward, firm, and flexible. If your resignation is coming “out of the blue,” it may surprise your bosses or co-workers – and the reaction may not be entirely enthusiastic or comfortable. As you plan who you’ll speak to and when, consider how you expect each person to react. Prepare to stick to your decision by telling each person straightforwardly, “I’ve taken a new job.” If a big project is looming or another co-worker is out of the office, however, be prepared to show some flexibility as to your last day if possible.
- Follow up in writing. Most people appreciate receiving the news of an employee’s departure in person. But don’t rely on your verbal communication to be remembered in the same way by everyone. Instead, follow up with a written letter of resignation that explains when your last day will be and ties up any “loose ends.”
- Keep in touch. The people you’ve worked with at this job are part of your professional network. In the future, they may be ideal sources for answers to tough questions, an introduction to a key player in your field, or for help finding a new job. Don’t forget to keep in touch with your “old” team, even as you build relationships with the “new” one.
At Kent Legal, our experienced recruiters help experienced legal support staff find the positions they’re looking for in the greater Toronto area. Contact us to learn more or search our open legal support job opportunities in Toronto today!