I have written in a previous post that I am leaving my current job, that was almost two weeks ago. In the last two weeks, I have re-learned how to say “goodbye” correctly, without offending anyone. I’ve just outgrown my current job and am seeing a bit of growth. (I mean, it’s not every day you quit a job, right?)

So how exactly is the process done? This is my 5-step guide to gracefully flying to a different nest.

tell your boss – In the business world, everyone has a boss. Your bosses have bosses, and they have bosses too (well, the board) so why step over your boss/manager’s authority over you? Regardless of how you love and hate your boss, he is still your immediate superior. Tell him about your plans to leave, and if the reason is negative, you can leave it out or be vague about it. In a workplace, the fastest spreading rumors are resignation and pregnancy rumors. I’m pretty sure his immediate superior would like to know before the office gossip starts. Write a resignation letter: Even if he tells his boss that he’s resigning, the job doesn’t end there. There’s still paperwork to do afterwards. I mean, you COULD just walk away, but you lose your paperwork and your last payment. In addition, you do not know the reach that important people have in the office; they may have means to prevent you from getting a different job.

exit interview – When you quit a job, there is usually an exit interview, in which your boss and boss take part: they will ask you how best to improve the way things are done, the reason you are leaving and where you will be transferred. . It’s never easy to refrain from saying the worst things you hate, but remember to be polite. You’ll still be asking for a letter of recommendation from your boss, plus you can’t really put an angry ex-boss in your reference.

Rotation – Preparing for turnover is never easy, but getting permission to leave the job is a must. Is there someone who can do their homework while they search for a replacement? You don’t really need to stick around until they find someone, just make sure you’ve taught everything you know before moving on. Imagine, the job you just had has probably taught you new things, so consider this a time to pass on what you know.

Say goodbye – Type a suitable email for company email. Typically, in smaller offices where the employees number fewer than a hundred, chances are you’ve touched each other’s lives in some way, so acknowledge the things you’ve worked on together. Thank the company for being good to you, and keep it short—it will probably be the last email you send to people at the company. Let the media know how you can be contacted, in case they need your help in the future. Keep it casual, somewhere between professional and personal, no need to write the moment you and that sales girl made small talk in the break room.

Therefore, there. You have two weeks to do all that. I suggest planning things out first, as my list is based on personal experience, I took my sweet time enjoying the reduced load, when I should have been doing my billing files. Now I see myself still going to and from the office, fixing my authorization. Greetings and good luck in the new job!