ALT-2 Careers how not to Burn Bridges when you Leave your Job
It is generally a good idea if you see yourself working for a good number of years to come, to not burn any bridges. It is amazing what a small world it actually is you may find that someone you worked with might turn up again in the future. Either being a position of power over you or maybe even being a good friend of someone you just had an interview with.
All it takes is for the interviewer to ring up his mate and say, "You ever heard of any these people?" Then when you're former boss says, "Yep when they left they came off as very rude and ungrateful." So, how you leave your job can make all the difference.
Show as much integrity as possible with your job your required to give notice then make sure you serve it. Hand in your resignation later with the date you intend to finish. You don't need to go in-depth why you're leaving, just say you're resigning and will be leaving on the following date in a business style professional letter. Make sure you hand this to the right person because handing it to someone else might annoy the person responsible for handling all resignations especially if they have an authority complex.
You may be invited to an exit interview usually this is with a neutral party who won't have worked with you. This may come off as intrusive but it's normally just that the employers are curious why you're leaving. The questions in this can vary but you have to remember to not burn bridges. You're leaving because you found another job then say that, if they want you to elaborate then say you fancied a change or that your new job offers opportunities etc.
Perhaps you do have a gripe about someone who you can't stand working with, so this could be your opportunity but do it tactfully and professionally. Swearing or going on a rant about them could affect the validity of the complaint. Just remember, keep yourself calm, mature and professional like you would in a job interview and you will come off as a decent employee being lost.
Make sure you work hard in the time you have left just as you would not normally do, don't mess about, let your work build up or deliberately make mistakes that won't be noticed till you've left - it will only be up to the next poor sap has to clean up the mess.
Be courteous to your fellow employees. Perhaps that woman in supplies was always a real bitch to you, but don't use your remaining time to work on a vendetta. Besides although she's on the same level as you at the moment, you could go someone else and find she's in a bigger position of power in charge of you.
Keep in touch. Someone maybe paying the occasional visit or e-mailing someone you were friends with. Though be advised when sending e-mails what you put try avoid talking about your former work place in a nasty way this may get your friend in trouble or even put you on a blacklist if you ever wanted to go back to apply for another position.
Finally enjoy the time left you have there, I have found in the past that they are the most enjoyable times because you are pretty free. Keeping a positive outlook will also be one of the final memories people you worked with have of you.
