If You're Planning to Quit Your Job, 10 tips to Do It Right

Quitting your job is a major life decision—one that can open the door to a healthier work environment, better pay, greater growth, or simply a lifestyle that matches who you’ve become. But leaving the wrong way can damage your professional reputation, burn bridges, or make the transition more stressful than it needs to be.

Whether you’re leaving because of burnout, a toxic workplace, a better opportunity, or a desire to reinvent your career entirely, there is a right way to do it. Experts consistently emphasize that planning, professionalism, and emotional clarity are essential steps when preparing to walk away from a job.

Here’s exactly how to quit with confidence, dignity, and long-term success.

1. Be Absolutely Sure of Your Decision

Before you take any major steps, reflect deeply on why you want to leave.

Are you exhausted? Underpaid? Undervalued? Feeling stuck? Or is the issue temporary stress?

Make sure you’ve:

Listed the exact reasons you want to quit

Evaluated whether anything could realistically improve

Considered whether another role or team within the company might fix the issue

Thought through the financial impact of leaving

Why it matters:

Clarity ensures you’re not reacting emotionally to a bad week. Instead, you’re making a long-term decision that aligns with your goals.

2. Secure Your Next Step Before You Resign

The safest and smartest approach is to line up your next job—or at least have a clear plan—before handing in your resignation.

You don’t necessarily need a contract signed, but you do need:

A strong financial buffer

Active job applications

Interviews scheduled

A realistic time frame for finding new work

Why it matters:

Leaving without a plan often leads to panic, rushed choices, or accepting a job you don’t actually want.

3. Don’t Tell Coworkers Before You Tell Your Manager

It might be tempting to vent or share your excitement, but avoid leaking your plans.

Gossip spreads faster than you think.

Your manager should be the first to know—not your closest work friend, not HR, not a WhatsApp group.

Why it matters:

Maintaining control of your narrative protects your reputation and ensures your departure feels professional, not dramatic.

4. Write a Simple, Calm Resignation Letter

Your resignation letter doesn’t need emotion, complaints, or explanations.

Keep it extremely clean and neutral:

Declare your resignation

State your last working day

Express gratitude (even if it’s minimal)

Offer transition support

That’s it.

Why it matters:

The letter will be in your file forever. Writing it respectfully is a long-term investment in your professional image.

5. Give Proper Notice—and Stick to It

Most workplaces expect a two-week notice period, but some may require 30 days or more depending on the contract.

Whenever possible, honor your notice period.

If you need to leave immediately due to extreme circumstances, communicate that respectfully and explain why.

Why it matters:

Leaving without proper notice is one of the fastest ways to burn bridges.

6. Handle the Conversation With Maturity

When you sit down with your manager, stay calm and professional.

Don’t use the meeting to:

Blame

Argue

Vent

Reopen old conflicts

Be polite, firm, and grateful—even if the job was awful.

Why it matters:

People will remember how you leave more than how you worked.

7. Offer To Help With the Transition

To leave on the best note possible:

Document your daily tasks

Create clear handover notes

Train your replacement if asked

Organize files and emails

Going the extra mile here builds goodwill that can last years.

Why it matters:

Your next employer may contact your previous one for an informal reference. Leaving helpfully boosts your future opportunities.

8. Don’t Slow Down or “Mentally Quit” Early

Some people stop working properly the moment they resign.

Avoid this mistake.

Continue performing well, meeting deadlines, and participating professionally until your very last day.

Why it matters:

Your final weeks shape how your colleagues remember you—and what they say about you afterward.

9. Protect Your Future References

Request a written or verbal reference from:

Your direct manager

A colleague you worked closely with

A senior figure who values your work

Don’t ask during a busy moment—choose a calm, respectful time.

Why it matters:

Good references can significantly influence future hiring decisions.

10. Leave Relationships Intact

Regardless of your experience, try to keep emotions out of your exit.

Send a goodbye message on your final day that:

Thanks the team

Includes your personal email

Leaves the door open

Even if you never return, you may cross paths again.

Why it matters:

Connections—good ones—are a powerful career currency.