The way you leave a job is remembered far longer than the way you joined it. Managers talk. Industries are small. A clean exit is one of the cheapest long-term investments you can make.
Tell your manager first
Before Slack, before the team, before LinkedIn — your manager hears it from you, in a real conversation. Being surprised by your departure secondhand is the fastest way to sour a good relationship.
Give real notice, then over-deliver
Two weeks is the floor, not the goal. Use whatever notice you give to document, hand off, and tie up loose ends so the person after you inherits order, not chaos.
- Write a short handover doc for your main responsibilities.
- Introduce key contacts to whoever is covering.
- Resist the urge to coast — your last impression is the lasting one.
Say thank you and mean it. You can dislike a job and still be gracious about leaving it.