How to Quit Your Job

It’s not always easy to know when the right time is to leave a company or career. This week we will explore what you can do after you have tried, righteously, to be successful at work and realize it may just be time to move on. We won’t delve into knowing when it’s time to leave. Please keep an eye on this blog for future articles.

Before Anyone Knows You Are Leaving

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.

Leaving a company is not something we do very often in life. It takes planning. It also takes humility. Make sure you focus on the Lord throughout the process. Commit your efforts to him every morning before starting your day. Pray often throughout the day.

Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.

It is critically important to seek much advice throughout this process. It’s hard enough making sound decisions when your emotions aren’t involved in the process. When it comes to our careers (alongside with marriage, parenting and finances) advice seeking from multiple sources will help you be victorious. Be open and vulnerable about all the details too. If you made mistakes, be transparent. If you feel like you are being ambushed at work, be specific. Get lots of advice.

Proverbs 19:11
A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

No matter what happened at work, show real discretion as you plan and execute your departure. Be in control of your anger. Make the choice to overlook any offenses.

Acts 9:27
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

Even Paul needed Barnabas to vouch for him when Paul was changing jobs. Remember, Paul went from Pharisee to Evangelist in a very short time period. Before you leave your role, using LinkedIn, ask several co-workers or managers to write you a short recommendation.

Proverbs 24:27
Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.

This means you take steps to find a new position, if at all possible, before letting anyone know you are leaving. Have a new job lined up. Make sure you have the offer letter from that new company signed, delivered and accepted.

When Leaving Your Company

Be Shrewd

Give lots of notice (a minimum of two weeks if not three)
Be willing to do a thorough knowledge transfer
Make sure your desk, your customers, your files, your laptop, etc. are in perfect order
Let your manager know first, even before that great friend of yours

Be Mindful

Show respect to everyone who is staying
If management asks you to leave right now, oblige them
Make any departing email short and sweet and leave the drama out of it
Work hard right up until the last day
Clean out your Inbox

Be Thankful

Ask for an exit interview and then speak highly of what you liked about the job
Say the word “thanks” to lots of people, even ones you don’t think will care

Be Honest

After sharing all the great things about the company and manager and job, be willing to share what might be improved (and keep the list short)
If people ask, let them know where you are going

Be Evangelistic

If people show a genuine interest in wanting to stay in touch, invite them to church
If inviting them to church is not appropriate, connect with them on LinkedIn then send them a message inviting them to church

No matter why you are leaving, take heart that it is part of God’s plan. Read the passage below and look for all the words that might apply to a career.

Acts 17:26-28
and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

God is really at work in what you do for your income. This includes leaving that company too. Trust that His plans are moving forward and believe He has something wonderful in store for you.