1. Blog
  2. Career
  3. How to quit your job without burning bridges
Written by Lotte van RijswijkLotte van Rijswijk

How to quit your job without burning bridges

Find career direction
7 min read
How to quit your job without burning bridges
Most of us have mastered the fine art of giving a good first impression, but just as important are the final ones – especially when it comes to leaving a job. Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the average worker leaves a job every 4.6 years.

So how do quit your job without burning bridges? Firstly, timing is everything. Don’t leave in the middle of a major project. Check your contract to see what your minimum notice period is, but also think about what work will need to be tied up before you leave. Giving enough notice to ease the handover process will do wonders for your reputation.

Telling your boss first is a must—you don’t want them to hear that you’re leaving on the grapevine. Arrange a meeting to tell them in person that you’re planning to leave, discuss which projects you will wrap up before leaving and thank them for your time at the company. Then it’s time to email your resignation letter. Keep it polite and concise, and avoid any lengthy or emotive explanations for why you’re leaving.

Then it’s time to work harder than ever to get all those loose ends tied up. Be sure to meet regularly with your boss through your notice period to brief them on the status of the projects you’ve agreed to wrap up. It may also be a good time to ask for a letter of recommendation.

So, if you’re thinking about moving on from your current job, check out the infographic below which shares tips to make sure you leave on a high note. Keep your professional reputation intact and take on your new role confident that your old co-workers will have nothing but positive thoughts about you. 

In readiness for new opportunities, exploring resources such as free resume templates can be instrumental in presenting your skills and experiences compellingly. For personalized applications, cover letter templates and inspirational cover letter examples can help craft a narrative that resonates with future employers. Additionally, the cover letter builder is a valuable tool for efficiently generating professional cover letters, ensuring you leave a memorable impression even before your first day on the new job.

How to quit your job

Now that you've successfully quit your job, you may need to write a new winning resume. Read how to build a winning resume, with our resume builder.

How to write your resignation letter (with examples & templates)
Related article
How to write your resignation letter (with examples & templates)

Explore why a good resignation letter is important and how to write it, and check out our free resignation letter examples.

To share this image please use the following embed code:

Copy to clipboard
Resources
  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2016). Employee Tenure Summary. bls.gov
  2. Whitmell, C. (2014). Resigning in style: how to tell your employer. theguardian.com
  3. Westland, J. (2018). How to Quit Your Job Without Burning Bridges. projectmanager.com
  4. Knight, R. (2014). How to Quit Your Job Without Burning Bridges. hbr.org
  5. Goudreau, J. (2011). The Dos and Don’ts Before Leaving Your Job. forbes.com
  6. Indeed. (2018). How to Write a Job Description. indeed.com
  7. Lum, M. (2016) 5 Scrum Meeting Best Practices: Master the Daily Stand-Up. sprint.ly
  8. Smith, J. (2016) 22 things you should never say during an exit interview. independent.co.uk

Fair Use

Want to share this project? Feel free! We just ask that you attribute by linking to this page so your readers can learn more about our research.

Build your resume in 15 minutes
Build your resume in 15 minutes
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact ‘resume rules’ employers look for.
Create my resume
Share this article
Keep reading
Career15 min read
13 Top teamwork skills to showcase: show you're a team player
13 Top teamwork skills to showcase: show you're a team player
Resume Help21 min read
10 Leadership skills to include on your resume + examples
10 Leadership skills to include on your resume + examples
Job Interview20 min read
How to get an internship: Our easy step-by-step guide
How to get an internship: Our easy step-by-step guide
Resume Help21 min read
Technical Skills for a Resume (guide with examples and how-tos)
Technical Skills for a Resume (guide with examples and how-tos)
Browse all
This website uses cookies to improve user experience and perform analytics and marketing. By using our website, you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
Accept Cookies