From the Great Resignation to the unprecedented stream of tech layoffs, many of us are voluntarily or involuntarily moving on from our former employers. Recently, I went through the experience of a job coming to an end. It was a mix of emotions – excitement for new opportunities, sadness for leaving behind fantastic team members, disappointment for not being able to see my projects to completion, and a sense of accomplishment for all that I had achieved. Usually in our day-to-day work routine, we are running around completing all kinds of tasks, reviewing unless unread messages, and trying to stay afloat with the growing to-do list. However, when it’s time to leave a company, we need to switch gears and thoughtfully map out our next steps. Fortunately, I knew of my end date and was able to mentally and physically prepare for it. As I wrapped up my final weeks at the company, I set the intention of leaving a lasting impression. This was a personal goal, but one that I felt would benefit my team and the company as well. To achieve this, I focused on several key areas. 

Create and share a transition doc.

First, I made sure there was a seamless transition with my manager. I documented my responsibilities, open projects, and next steps and outlined some recommendations. Once I had a detailed document, I gave edit access to my manager and their manager. I also set a few 1:1s as well as group syncs to walk through the transition doc details, provide space to answer any questions, and ensure that I'm available whenever for additional insights or support. 

Take note of your accomplishments.

I took the time to reflect on my accomplishments and document what I had done at the company. I grabbed my journal (here's one I use daily) and started writing out my proudest moments, impactful projects and results, and any other challenges and learnings I could find by scrolling through my Slack, email, Google Drive, and so forth. This was a fun exercise that helped me acknowledge the great things I achieved during my short time at the company and take note of my valuable contributions. In addition, this is a rewarding process to have the necessary info to update my resume/CV and add to my bank of work experiences I can draw from for future interviews and projects.

Express gratitude.

I wrote a heartfelt thank you email to my colleagues, expressing my gratitude to them for being amazing colleagues, and my pride in us working together to build something that delights and provides joy to the world. I sent these farewell emails to each person directly, and I've also sent these emails as one email with everyone BCC'd. These details are up to your personal preferences and what makes sense for your work environment. Here is an example email:

Subject Line: A Heartfelt Goodbye

Hi [insert name/everyone],

I am writing to express my gratitude for your support and collaboration over the past few years. Working with you has been a truly unforgettable experience, and I will miss our daily interactions and the many laughs we shared. Your knowledge and expertise have been invaluable, and I'm grateful for the many things I've learned from you.

I'll be available for a few more weeks, so please let me know if there's anything I can do to help. 

I hope our paths cross again. Please stay in touch - [insert email/phone number/Linkedin profile].

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Grow your LinkedIn connections.

I made an effort to stay connected and expand my network by actively requesting and accepting new connections from my team. Additionally, I asked my manager and other team members if they would write me a recommendation. I usually shy away from these annoying requests and steps. Still, I've learned that people are delighted to stay connected and offer a helping hand wherever possible. I genuinely love the opportunity to cross paths with my team members, so this would increase those odds. Whether you are actively looking for new jobs or not, this step will pay dividends to your current and future self.

A lasting impression is a combination of many factors – how you make people feel, your thought leadership pieces, and the connections and tools you leave behind. By prioritizing myself and focusing on these critical areas, I made a positive impact during my final weeks at the company and left a lasting impression. I invite you to consider what will have the most lasting impact on you and on others and ruthlessly prioritize those tasks. Continuously think about what you're doing and make sure to make a difference in a positive way to the people around you.