How can you tell your work at a company is basically DONE?

And Exit on the Right Terms

I’m done working in this company; I will quit.

That’s an important thought. Sometimes, you just feel you have nothing else to give to the company you are working for.

This topic came to mind last week while I was hanging out with some friends from university, when someone said:

You know, Eduardo told me he’s leaving his job.

Also, I read this article, “Looking for a Job in Tech Is More Confusing Than Ever”[1], which explains that the tech job market, far from becoming simpler, has grown more opaque: companies create dozens of different titles to describe similar roles (up to 40 variants for a single position). Somebody said “AI”?.

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In today’s edition, I want to share with you what I consider the best practices when you plan to leave your current company.

☝🏼 I don’t want to get into the reasons to leave a job. In my opinion, each of us could have different reasons, and all of them are valid.

However, I can enumerate some that I heard in the last months, such as:

I’m getting stuck in my career development.

This other, after a couple of weeks of being hired:

The company changed my responsibilities to something different from the role I was originally hired for.

This one, after management changes:

I don’t feel

This other, after years of working in a start-up:

The company reached a size where people became numbers, not people.

This other is really interesting:

I’m unlearning.

If some of those, or similar to them, are resonating in your head, it’s time for you to evaluate the reasons for staying in the current company.

Any other reason you hear often? 👇🏻

I left some companies (not a big fan of job hopping), and I saw many others part as well. From that experience, I have identified 5 key points that I recommend you apply when leaving a company, ensuring everyone receives benefits.

1️⃣ Having a signed employment commitment from the new company is essential, especially when you're switching jobs. I think it's a bit risky to tell your current company you're leaving without a clear guarantee that the new company is fully committed to hiring you.

2️⃣ Your manager first, then your peers. Your direct manager must be the first to know. Why? (unless your relationship is not healthy) You worked side by side during a period of time, giving and receiving feedback, suffering together, and winning together. I think she/he deserves to be the first to know because of that. I advise not telling your co-workers, though, so you reduce the risk of gossiping (we all love gossiping!). Saying to your trustworthy friends is not only OK but also advisable, so you can hear opinions from people who care about you.

3️⃣ Transfer knowledge is a must. Because you always have something you and only you know, I advise you to schedule transfer knowledge sessions with your peers. They will thank you in the (near) future.

4️⃣ Some people don’t tell where they head to; it’s optional to me. This is coming because I heard a couple of stories like this: Due to a poor ending to their relationship with their current employer, their manager reached out to the company they were set to join and gave negative feedback about them, which ultimately led to the job offer being withdrawn. This did not happen to me, but I heard a couple of similar stories on this. Is it worth it to take the risk?

5️⃣ Exit interview with be honest feedback, so your peers will thank you. You leave the company for a set of reasons. Most likely, your reasons are not unique, and more people in the company are suffering the same. You have nothing to lose, and you will help the company to become better; Also, potentially, your feedback will help your teammates.

I would love to read your opinion about these best practices. Drop me an email to hello@optimistengineer.com or click here 👇🏻

Alright! Let’s wrap up for today.

✨ Takeaways

• Be discreet, let them remember you for your work and not for your farewell party.

• Be nice, keep the door open for the future.

• Ensure a proper transfer of knowledge happens; your teammates will thank you.

• Before leaving, be open to those who would like to get feedback from you, but also get feedback from people you consider relevant for your future endeavor.

• No one will get mad because you leave the company; That just doesn’t happen.

☝🏼 I want to finish with something I find really important because sometimes we could feel guilty for leaving a company. Keep this in mind 👇🏻

A tech company, like any other, is a thing and not a person. You own nothing. The company became profitable thanks to your participation by giving you a salary in return.

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Thanks for your support and feedback, really appreciate it!

You’re the best! 🖖🏼

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