How do you avoid burning bridges when leaving a job?

"Biting your tongue" can be very difficult if you feel you've been done wrong, but it's the best policy. When asked why you're leaving, first explain that you've enjoyed your time at the organization but feel that leaving is best for your personal and professional growth. There's no need to tell your manager where you're going, unless they ask. Even then, you can politely tell them you'd rather not say.

Absolutely, it's important to think carefully about how you will communicate your resignation to your manager, team, and other stakeholders. Here are some tips to consider: Schedule a meeting: Arrange a time to meet with your manager in person to share the news of your resignation. If you work remotely, you can schedule a video call or phone call. Be professional and respectful: When communicating your resignation, remain professional and respectful. Thank your employer for the opportunities and experiences you gained while working there.

Offer to help with the transition: If possible, offer to help with the transition process by training your replacement or providing guidance to your team members.

You want to leave on a good note if you can. Do your best to make the transition as painless as possible - you never know when you will cross paths with your colleagues again.

Don’t forget to let clients and external partners know, and share your appreciation with them as well. They’ll also be part of your network in the future.

Give notice: Provide sufficient notice of your resignation. Two weeks' notice is the standard, but this may vary depending on your industry or role. Be clear and concise: Keep your message clear and concise. Explain that you have accepted another opportunity or that you are leaving for personal reasons, but avoid going into too much detail.

One little thing you could tell your employer, that would go a long way, is say that you're going to do something nice for them... i.e. leave them a great Glassdoor review. This is a little token of appreciation that will build that bridge stronger than ever, rather than burning it.

Leave your job with the same professionalism, courtesy, and respect you brought to the table in the first place. If you've had positive and transparent communication with your management, they'll realize why you may be leaving - so there's no need to re-litigate company issues or internal problems. By leaving with an air of mutual respect and dignity on both sides, you can leave the door open for future communications and positivity. You may even end up rejoining the firm!

Be professional and respectful: When communicating your resignation, remain professional and respectful. Thank your employer for the opportunities and experiences you gained while working there.

Keeping in touch with former colleagues at all levels is a great way to build your professional network. So often, people fail to keep in touch and then later regret it. Connect with anyone relevant on LinkedIn and then drop them a message from time to time. Even if they move on themself you won't lose contact.

Remember that how you communicate your resignation can impact your professional reputation and relationships. By approaching the situation with professionalism and respect, you can help ensure a smooth transition and maintain positive connections with your employer and colleagues.

We keep talking about not burning the bridge & holding high standards for job seekers. This protects bad employers. So many of us have protected employer branding by not talking about experience which does injustice to other job seekers. Is Burning the Bridge acting as an advocate without naming? If we do not share our stories, bad employers will continue to exploit new hires. I would like to see more career professionals holding bad employees accountable by advocating for change in the right way. When people are treated poorly, who are we to question their lived experience? Can we please stop holding high standards for job seekers only? Change happens when we advocate holding employers accountable.

Despite her negative experiences, Samantha was determined to leave her job on a positive note. She knew that burning bridges could hurt her professional reputation and future opportunities, so she focused on being professional and respectful. Even though Samantha's experience in the company was not ideal, she left on a positive note. Her manager and colleagues respected her professionalism and valued her contributions, and Samantha maintained positive relationships with them even after leaving. This helped her secure new opportunities and grow her professional network, ultimately leading her to a more fulfilling career.