So you’ve decided you’re going to quit – here’s the 11 things you need to do before you leave your job! Quitting your job can be scary, exciting, sad, or so many other things but before you get caught up in all the emotion there are a few things you need to get squared away before you head out for the last time.
Some of these lessons I learned the hard way so take it from me that these are going to save you time and headache. Before you leave your job you need to make sure your butt is covered and is best prepared for the time ahead of you.
#1 – Save any documents or any you think you might need. Put anything you can possibly think you would need on a thumb drive. Don’t take anything you’re not allowed to though.
#2 – Write down any contact information you might need. Names, emails, phone numbers, etc – you never know when you might need the direct contact information of your former coworkers.
#3 – Use any vacation time (or save it if it pays out). If it doesn’t pay out then there is zero reason to leave EARNED days. Take them before you turn in your notice – some offices require you to be present for some number of your last days so be sure you don’t mess with that.
#4 – Make all your doctor appointments you can before your health insurance gets pulled. Go see the doctor, dentist, eye doc, get your physical, blood work, and anything else you think you might need done. Get updated prescriptions and fill them. Even if you’re headed straight to another job you might not have health insurance for a minute.
#5 – Submit every receipt you can think of to your Flexible/Health Savings Account. You want to make sure all your saved money comes back to you. Don’t leave any money on the table!
#6 – See if your health insurance or company gives you a gym reimbursement. Get any money/reimbursements you’re entitled to.
#7 – Document everything. This includes decisions you’ve made, actions you’ve taken, or questions you’ve had. EMAIL them to yourself. That way there is a time stamp on your documentation.
#8 – See if there are any Mental Health services you can use. Some health insurance plans allow you to have up to three free therapy sessions!
#9 – Make sure your office and computer is cleared out of of anything personal. Once you start taking personal items out of your office people might start to notice but you can clear out your drawers or less conspicuous places. Your computer should be easy to clear.
#10 – Write your two (or more) weeks notice and hand it to your boss. This is one of the last things you need to do but it is essential. You want to get 1-9 done prior to your notice because some offices will just tell you to leave immediately.
#11 – Get any and all signatures you need. This includes any signatures on your student loan documents for your yearly public service recertification.
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I know this seems counterintuitive to complete most of this list prior to handing in your notice but once you hand it in things start to move very quickly and some offices don’t give you much time to get your things together prior to leaving. Once #10 and #11 happen people know you’re headed out, those are obvious “I’m leaving” actions. Before you leave your job get all these things done and it will make your life so much easier!
