How to leave your job with grace?

That is a good question and one we try and coach people on all of the time. There definitely is a right way and a wrong way to say goodbye. Unfortunately, many of us tend to leave the wrong way and unknowingly burn bridges-largely because of limited experience in this area. Here are some things our Pencom recruiters remind candidates of when approaching this situation.

From the nature of your mail, I assume that the weeks of interest, phone calls, interviews, questions, answers, and counseling from friends and/or recruiters have led you to a firm decision - you want the job. If you were still expressing any doubts, we might take a step back at this point and revisit the interviewing and research process; but since you seem resolved, it is vital that you now solidify your position and look to the future. Realize that the moment you announce your intentions there will invariably be colleagues and nay-sayers invoking feelings of doubt and guilt.

If you have already made up your mind, it is imperative that you stick with it. The standard time to accept an offer is three days to a week. If you have specific concerns or there are people within the company that you feel you need to talk to, now is the time. Just be sure not to be swayed by the vague feelings of discomfort and guilt that come along with almost any life decision, particularly if it is adventurous.

When you have worked at a company for a good period of time, made friends and carved out a valuable niche, it will be difficult to leave. And even though a new opportunity may be the right thing for you, many of these friends will appeal to your sense of loyalty and color your decision process. Colleagues and superiors may create moments ripe for indecision and reversal, speaking of better assignments ongoing friendships and increased salary. I have seen many people suddenly forget their larger goals and be swayed into turning down what they have worked for, oftentimes accepting counter-offers, though it wasn't their plan.

Just be sure that your reasons to move on are based on the right reasons. Be sure that this is not solely an issue of higher pay - in which case it is time to rethink. If you take a job simply for more money, I guarantee you will be unhappy in six months. Know for sure why you have decided to pursue a new opportunity; and once you make a decision, hold fast to your own good sense and go forward.