What to do after handing in your notice

You’ve accepted an offer for a new role and handed in your notice. Now what?

Congratulations – you’ve handed in your notice. After looking for a new opportunity for months, going through lengthy application and interview processes, you’re finally there. You’ve signed a new contract with a new employer and can relax – or can you?

If you have been unhappy in your current role, knowing that there’s an end in sight will naturally put you more at ease. However, there’s a difference between feeling at ease and clocking off completely. After handing in your notice, and you should be wary of letting your standards – and possibly reputation – slip.

Why? Because last impressions count. You also never know when you may meet certain colleagues again in the future. You’ve worked hard to build a professional brand and reputation, so don’t damage this now by letting the quality or quantity of your work decline.

What to do after handing in your notice at a glance

Once you’ve handed in your notice, the way you behave will likely form a lasting memory of you in your ex-colleagues’ minds.

This will determine whether you walk away from this job with the door left open behind you – or firmly shut. Even if you don’t intend on returning right now, you need to leave on good terms with your manager for the sake of your future references and reputation.

You also want your colleagues to think and speak highly of you. After all, you never know when your professional paths may cross again. You also might need a former colleague to recommend you for a role, introduce you to a useful connection, or keep their ear to the ground for promising opportunities in their industry.

So, what should you do after handing in your notice? And how can you ensure you leave your current organisation on the best possible note?

1. Let your colleagues know why you’re leaving

It can be hard for a team to hear that a valued colleague is going to be leaving. This is especially true when the news is delivered by somebody else, such as your manager. 

That’s why it’s important that you take the time to personally explain to your closest colleagues why you are leaving. Of course, you should only do this if you are contractually allowed to inform colleagues yourself. When doing so, focus your reasons on the positive aspects of your new role, rather than the negatives of your current one. 

Let your colleagues know how much you have valued your time working together, and that you would like to keep in contact. Once you’ve extended this olive branch and let them know that your decision to hand in your notice was professional, not personal, they should be congratulatory and keen to keep professional ties.

2. Keep up the good work

In some respects, maintaining your brand will simply mean continuing as you were. Don’t let your professionalism slide after handing in your notice. Perform to a high standard, dress smartly for work, be punctual, respond promptly to emails, and resist the temptation to speak negatively about the company or your colleagues.

You’ll also need to use this time to tie up any loose ends. Don’t leave people scrambling to finish work which you left half-way through, as this can be very damaging to the legacy you leave behind. 

So, sit down with your boss and clarify exactly which projects and tasks you need to complete. Agree deadlines and any handovers. Confirm the handover process, plus who you should transfer your skills and knowledge to within your team. These plans should be shared with your colleagues so that they are all aware and aligned.

It is also normal to be excluded from email trails and meetings after you’ve handed in your notice. If you think you should be invited to any of these, then speak up. This is necessary in order for you to work as effectively as you always have done over your last few weeks. People may assume that you no longer want to be looped in because you are leaving, but there’s still work to do, and you haven’t left just yet.

3. Don’t close any doors

As your last week approaches, start planning your personal farewells and thank yous. Think about people who have particularly helped your career, encouraged you, or even acted as a mentor. Remember to connect on online professional networks and if appropriate, exchange contact details.

Let these colleagues know that you hope to keep in contact – and stay true to your word. Regular check-ins after you leave are a great way to stay in touch; from congratulating them on a company or personal success, to sharing a news article with them that they may find useful. 

If you feel it is appropriate and sincere, you could also write them a recommendation on LinkedIn or endorse them for a skill. The key is to keep the door open. You never know when you might meet this contact in the future.

What to remember about handing in your notice

It’s an exciting time. A brand-new job is on the horizon for you, bringing new challenges, opportunities and experiences. There will also be plenty of work to do at the new place to ensure that you get off to a strong start. 

But just because you have handed in your notice doesn’t mean you should let your performance drop at your current company. Keep standards high. You want to walk away with a network of connections under your belt, your professional reputation intact, and a team of past colleagues saying “well, they left some big shoes to fill”.

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