How To Handle The Transition Away From A Current Role Or Job

We will all leave a job at a company or transition to another within a company at some point. During this time, it is important to understand how your exit is viewed. It can be tempting to act differently during the transition period. It is important though for you to remain as professional as possible. If you do not, the result could have terrible consequences down the road as you move to other employers. This includes even the WORST jobs you have had, and her is why..

1) Brand

Once you enter the workforce, you become a marketing person. You are marketing your brand 100% of the time. Even when you are working that boring 4 hour shift at the local supermarket, your brand is being seen by everyone else. As you move from job to job, your brand will continue to follow you and others will know you by it. Thus, if you have always been the complainer, late to work, and lazy, this is what they will know of you. This is also important if there are items beyond your control which is negatively affecting your brand such as a lying or bad boss. Stay strong and continue to be your best you!

2) Burning Bridges

Some of the best advice I ever got was to not burn bridges with people or employers. You never know if there is going to come a time when you will have to rely on your past for your future. This is especially prevalent when a future employer is looking to verify your work history or to talk to a previous manager. In each of my new jobs I have always been comfortable enough to provide previous manager contacts to discuss me as an employee. I know that my brand is strong enough to support me and for all of my managers to agree I am worth the hire. In some recent cases I have even talked to previous employers about potential openings if I were to want to go back or to help others get a job.

3) Checking Out Too Soon

This is by far one of the hardest to overcome. Once you have given your 2-3 weeks notice, your mind checks out from work. You know you are gone and really do not care anymore. Your work effort drops and you become lazy to even be there. This is certainly not what you should do. Again, this is going to be talked about long after you leave. It will likely be the only thing they remember about you once you are gone. Thus, hindering your reputation and brand. Stay focused and continue to have a strong work ethic till the end. You will have a clear conscious and your previous employer will remember.

Leaving a job or role can be exciting, but remember your brand. It can either pay off in the long run or it can hurt your career.