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Whether you've worked for your employer for a few months or for several years, chances are that you've built some relationships, expertise and a reputation. Now you've decided to leave for greener pastures or you have been asked to leave. Either way, despite your feelings about your imminent departure, it is important to preserve what you've worked so hard to build. Not burning bridges when you leave your job will ultimately serve you in the long run since the business world is small and in your new role you may come into contact with your ex-employers, co-workers or even suppliers you had worked with in the past. By leaving on good terms, these people will remember you as the professional that you are and future business relationships will not be compromised.

Here are a few DO's and DON'Ts on how not to burn bridges when you leave your job:

YOUR RESIGNATION LETTER:
- DO neatly type your letter on plain white paper.
- DO address your letter to your immediate supervisor.
- DO state your proposed departure date, providing an appropriate notice period (usually two weeks, but could be longer depending on the type of position you hold).
- DO keep your reason short, to the point and diplomatic.
- DON'T rant about how you were treated unfairly, your boss is a slob or your coworkers are imbeciles. While venting may feel great in the short term, in the long run it just makes you look childish.
- DON'T give copies to all your colleagues, the president of the company or the local newspaper.

YOUR NOTICE PERIOD:

- DO continue to come in on time, work a full day and leave on time.
- DO meet with your boss to establish the expectations for what you need to complete during your notice period.
- DO ask your boss to help you create an appropriate out-of-office reply for e-mail and voice mail to convey your forthcoming departure to your business contacts.
- DO maintain a positive attitude with co-workers, customers and suppliers.
- DON'T take extended lunch breaks or spend your days distracting your coworkers with tearful goodbyes or lengthy bad-mouthing sessions about the boss.

YOUR OPEN PROJECTS:

- DO try to complete as much of your work as you can during your notice period.
- DO put together a summary of all open tasks on your last day, so that your boss will be able to pick up where you left off.
- DO complete your work with the same standard of excellence as you would have before you resigned. You are still getting paid your full salary during your notice period, so handing in shoddy work is acting in bad faith.
- DON'T "lose" or delete any valuable information. Aside from being extremely unprofessional, this could be construed as theft or destruction of company property and your employer may pursue you for damages.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

- DO stay in touch with former colleagues, suppliers and customers.
- DON'T bad-mouth the company or its employees.
- DON'T try to steal customers, proprietary information or employees.

Regardless of the reasons you have for leaving a job, do yourself a favor and leave on good terms. While venting about your unfair boss or conveniently losing important files may feel great in the short-term, ultimately it will feel much better to maintain your professional reputation. You never know when you may need a reference or a job from that employer in the future.

Learn more about this author, Victoria de Martigny.
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