17 Things To Do Before Quitting A Job (Checklist Before Leaving A Job)

Do you feel trapped in your day job and desperately want to escape the rat race?

If so, you are NOT alone.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 4 million Americans quit their jobs this year – Great Resignation (source).

An “I quit” shout or quitting a job without notice sounds cool; however, it could backfire in the long term.

How you handle your resignation makes a whole lot of difference.

This post will show you how to quit a job (you hate) gracefully.

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What To Do Before Leaving A Job

If you ever wonder what to do before quitting your job, here is the leaving job checklist to help you ensure a smooth job transition.

1. Know Why You Want To Quit

There are many reasons people want to walk away from their jobs. Here are some good reasons to quit a job. 

YOU

• are not happy with your current employer or coworkers and want a change
• are not satisfied with the working condition
• might be burned out and don’t like the soul-sucking job
• want to become a freelancer for more flexibility
• have an entrepreneurial dream
• wish to live life on your terms with a career change
• have a better job offer waiting for you
• want more out of life (freedom, money, and career fulfillment)
• don’t like your company culture

Figuring out the real whys can serve as a motivating factor and help you make the right move. You probably don’t want to leave a stable job with great benefits for no good reason. 

For example, if you just want a higher compensation or a promotion, you can negotiate improvements with your boss first.  

2. Figure Out When To Quit – How Long Should You Work Before Quitting?

You might ask, “How long should I stay at a job before quitting?”

It depends.

Usually, it’s recommended to work for a minimum of two years, so you can have enough time to learn new skills, build up your work experience, prepare an exit plan before quitting.

That said, if you feel it’s not the right job for you, don’t wait for two years. But do give yourself some time to be mentally and financially prepared before leaving. 

3. Think About What You Want To Do Next

Once you know your why(s) and are firm with your decision no matter what it takes, you can start considering what you want to do next before leaving your job.

Although it’s trendy to quit jobs impulsively these years, especially among millennials, it’s still worth taking some time to think of your next move and prepare your departure gracefully.

4. Save Before Quitting A job For A Smooth Transition 

After leaving your role, one of the biggest challenges you can expect is your finances. 

Here are a few critical questions to ask yourself before leaving a job:

1. Do you have a new job lined up?

2. Do you have multiple income streams?

3. How much cash do you need to support your current lifestyle after quitting?

4. How will you pay off your debt (if any) while unemployed?

5. Can you afford a $1,000 emergency expense after resigning?

6. If your upcoming exciting venture doesn’t profit, how long can you survive without the current income stream?

Having plenty of cash on hand provides you with the financial flexibility to weather the ups and downs in life, especially if your current lifestyle solely depends on your regular paycheck. 

You don’t need/have to settle for something less than you desire if you have enough money and time to figure things out.

Plus, you can keep your finances in order and have a stress-free transition with enough financial support. 

It’s also the best way to keep you away from debt when quitting a job. 

So before handing in your resignation, beef up your cash reserve for the harsh reality. 

Not only do you want to save money for your specific life goals (like big purchases) in the foreseeable future, but also you need to build up an emergency fund.

How much money should I have in the bank before quitting my job?

If you only rely on one income stream, make sure you have at least three to six months’ worth of basic living expenses when out of work. If you have a family, the number might be double or triple that amount. 

You also need more savings if your goal is to start a business or travel right after your resignation.

Related Posts On How To Prepare Financially Before Quitting Your Job: 

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– How To Create A Monthly Budget In 6 Easy Steps Before Resignation

– How To Live Frugally Before Leaving Your Job

– Things Employees Should Stop Buying To Save Money (#16 Will Save You Thousands Of Dollars Each Year)

5. Document Your Work 

I can’t stress this enough.

Note down everything (big or small) that you have done in the company on your personal computer before quitting.

This is one of the most important things to do before you leave your job.

Reasons: Some companies don’t allow you to access company resources after leaving the company. On top of that, it’s harder to recall all the work after quitting a job. So remember to save your work before giving notice of your resignation.

Not only will your professional successes flatter your resume, but also you can have references for your future employer.

Here are some ideas on what to document.

• Your job responsibilities
• Samples of your work/portfolios (like photos for a photographer) 
• Skills you have developed 
• Positive reviews from your clients, colleagues, supervisor, and employer
• Any training courses or certifications you have obtained while serving your role

For example, if you are a salesperson, you can mark down the revenue or sales you have increased for the company, the money and time you have saved for your company, and the complicated problems you have solved.

6. Update Your Resume And LinkedIn Profile

A potential match doesn’t often come in a day. Sometimes, it takes weeks, months, or even years to land an ideal job.

To facilitate the job-hunting process and avoid future uncertainty, update your CV and online profile before your official resignation.

It doesn’t matter if you intend to have a holiday before jumping into your next job. You can still pursue new job opportunities in advance.

Take some time to explore what you want to achieve in life by analyzing your skills, interests, and passions.

7. Use Your Paid Time Off (PTO) Or Other Employee Benefits

Before walking out the door, make sure to find out if you have any unused personal time, sick days, tuition reimbursement, and other benefits (like health benefits and your retirement plan).

Depending on your company’s policy, you might get compensation for those. Or, you can use them up before quitting your job.

Note that your employer might disapprove of using your PTO after putting in a notice of your resignation.

8. Take Advantage Of Your Health Benefits 

Don’t forget to take full advantage of your medical privileges while still serving in your role. 

Once you terminate the employment, you might lose all the compensation and benefits, including your health insurance.

For example, you can schedule appointments with your dentist, eye doctor, health checkups before submitting your resignation. 

Don’t make it too obvious. Otherwise, everyone knows you are quitting.

For instance, don’t schedule the days in a row or choose the busy time/day to go out. 

9. Figure Out Your 401(k)

Have you thought about, “if you quit a job, what happens to your 401k?”

Before handing in your resignation, gather information about your 401(k) (such as rollover instructions and the total amount).

This is one of the most crucial things to do before leaving your job.

For example, do you want to

• roll over the fund to your new employer’s 401(k) plan? (recommended)
• withdraw the money from your old 401(k)?
• have an individual retirement account (IRA) for your retirement savings?

10. Remember To Ask For References

Are you wondering what documents to collect before leaving a company?

Remember to ask for references.

A well-crafted reference letter from your current employer is proof of your professionalism and contribution to the company.

If your boss is too busy, you can draft a letter yourself, so your employer just needs to review it and sign.

You can also collect recommendation letters from your senior colleagues or supervisor.

In some industries, two to three reference letters are absolute necessities for a job hunt.

Don’t forget to collect these documents before your resignation. After your final day, it might take longer to receive the letters.

11. Take All Your Belongings With You

All your belongings are not just the physical items on your office desk.

Here is a list of things to do when leaving a job.

1. Log out all your accounts on office computers. 

2. Note down your accounts information and passwords if you ever need to access them from home.

3. Clear the browser history, cookies, and saved passwords.

4. Delete all not-work-related documents, files, emails, images, and calls. 

5. Uninstall programs and software that are for personal use on all company devices.

The best way is to give back everything that belongs to your company the way you received them to avoid potentially embarrassing or awkward moments.

Don’t ruin your hard-earned reputation because of the small move. 

12. Follow The Company’s Guidelines To Submit Your Resignation

Companies usually have clear policies on the procedure of resignation.

You can check your employee handbook or contract before quitting a job if unsure.

Maybe you need to give your employer a month’s notice instead of the standard two weeks’ notice.

Perhaps you are required to write a professional resignation letter.

Or, you might need to have an exit interview/organizational assessment.

Comply with all the rules to resign gracefully. It’s the best way to quit a job.

13. Break The News With Your Current Employer First

Your direct supervisor/employer should be the first one to know your departure instead of your coworkers.

How to gracefully quit a job (you hate) is an art.

Leaving a job at a critical time is not a nice move. It’s greatly appreciated if you don’t quit during the busiest season or in the middle of a big project.

When you believe you have made the right decision to move on, choose the right time and make an appointment with your soon-to-be-former employer to hand in your notice.

This is a proper way to quit a job if you want to leave on positive terms.

14. Be Responsible For Your Job

Even though you are already checking out mentally, you are still serving in your role. So it’s best to be responsible for your daily tasks and duties.

You also don’t want to show too much excitement about your exit while in office.

Keep everything professional at work.

15. Help Your Replacement

This tip should include in your job transition checklist.

It’s a considerate move to provide your replacement full support in the resignation process.

That might include writing a report on your daily tasks, organizing the files, and training the next person, so the replacement can step in to fill your role when you’re gone.

The professional and kind gesture could help you leave a positive impression and maintain the relationship with the company.

16. Leave With Gratitude

Don’t burn bridges or potentially damage your pursuit of new employment.

Always show your gratitude to the people you have worked with. I know it might be hard if you dislike your boss or coworkers. But if you want to act in your best interest,express your gratitude and leave all the negative feelings to yourself (like badmouthing your employer).

It’s a small world/industry, and people do talk. Trust me. You will thank yourself for doing that.

The mature gesture signals you’re professional and respectful.

Plus, you never know if you will come back or need additional help in the future.

You don’t think you will, but sometimes, you do.

17. Stay Connected

Social networking is important.

If you want to stay connected with your employer or colleagues, don’t forget to exchange contact information.

Maybe your strong or weak connection can help you reach out to the right person and get you an ideal job.

FAQ – Checklist Before Leaving A Job

Final Thoughts – What To Do Before Quitting Your Job

When you decide to quit a job (you hate) gracefully and pursue the work of your dreams, it’s essential to take the time and prepare your exit plan.

So you can quit your tedious 9-5 (or 9-9) job and take the leap with great confidence.

Preparation could also help you stop over worrying about the future.

I sincerely hope this checklist for leaving a job can help you have a smooth transition.

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