The Business Behind Goodbye
After four years at the U and two-and-a-half with Backpack, it’s time for me to don my cap and gown, walk the aisle of my apartment staircase for our at-home roommate graduation. I’m saying goodbye to not only the University, but also Backpack and—at least physically—the friends née coworkers, memories, and unquantifiable professional development I’ve run into along the way.
Although I could spend my last(!) Backpack blog saying goodbye and reminiscing on the ways Backpack has changed me professionally and personally, I’m instead doing what I do best: turning content in on itself and using my experiences as learning tools.
So here’s my goodbye—and the tips I have for how to say it.
Wrapping up the Workload
Arguably one of the most important parts of leaving a job (when you know you’re leaving it ahead of time, anyway) is finishing up what you’ve been working on. My base tips? Well...
Set your own deadlines
If you already know your end date, then you can make plans to wrap up certain projects by that date (or however much earlier you may need). Too much work left on a project to set and meet a deadline? That might be a sign to…
...delegate your unfinished tasks
Sometimes we can’t finish everything, especially if a lot of our workload is made of ongoing tasks. Delegate out that extra work yourself or pass it on to someone else who can, and, if you have time, compile notes about your progress and what’s left to do that will help whoever takes on the work.
Train in the new you
If you’re in a leadership position and have a predetermined end date, you may be asked to train in your successor. In addition to notes on unfinished tasks, helpful wrapping-up training options include: inviting them to sit in on meetings they’ll be replacing you in, holding one-on-one meetings to discuss the day-to-day workload and expectations, and offering tips on how to manage their new work.
Miscellany (and Other Loose Ends)
When you leave a job, you’re leaving more than just your work. You’re also leaving fellow staff members, your workspace, and, if another job isn’t lined up, your income. It sounds like a lot to reckon with, but there are ways to get it all done. For example:
Talk to your team members about reference information
If your supervisors and/or coworkers are comfortable being used as work references, be sure to ask for their names, emails, and phone numbers before you leave. This is also a great time to ask for a standing letter of recommendation that you can use on future applications.
Clean out your desk early
Trust me on this one. When the pandemic started, in-office work ceased so suddenly that I couldn’t clear out my workspace, and I ended up having to dart in six months later for a fifteen-minute clear-out of my work clutter. It’s a lot easier to take home your favorite 8 am coffee mug, work snacks, backup chargers, and decorations if you’re able to do it ahead of time.
Make an in-between budget
If you know you’re not going into a new job right away, it’s helpful to make a budget to follow in the in-between space where you won’t be receiving regular income.
The Actual Goodbye
While I hope all the above is helpful, I want to acknowledge, too, that sometimes leaving a job is more than just, well, leaving a job. Your coworkers may also be your friends; your job may be a significant part of the daily structure that keeps you motivated; you might just really love the work you do. There’s no perfect answer for how to manage these internal goodbyes. I’m a prolific letter writer and bullet journaler, so for me, you can imagine there will be a lot of self-organizing and “thanks for the mems/professional development” notes involved. But yours may, and probably will, look different depending on how you feel about endings.
Regardless of how you choose to say your literal and official last goodbye, take comfort in knowing that new opportunities (and, if you love routines, new structure) are waiting for you. Feel free to reminisce as long as you want. Write goals for your new work. Journal about what you’ve learned. Just like getting a new job, leaving an old job is a growth moment, and it’s yours to spend as you please.
And, if you get a moment, wave goodbye to your old office, even if you have to do it from outside. The office ghosts will thank you later.