Upand$tarting

In Part I, I spoke about the decision to move on and how I prepared to start my job seach.  Today, I am going to discuss how to make the break from your current company in a way that, hopefully, will allow you to leave on good terms.

I’m not going to detail how you should interview.  I don’t believe in interviewing “tricks”; focus on being good at what you do, have an outgoing and pleasant personality, and articulate why you are the right candidate.  These traits, along with the hard work you put into marketing yourself from the first post should put you in the top of the pile most of the time.  It really boils down to matching well to the job and showing the interviewer who you are.

Let’s assume you have gone through the process and now have a written and signed offer in front of you.  This is the point where you can negotiate your exit from your current company.  That’s right, I said negotiate, not serve your notice.

Relationships are the most important thing you can take from company to company, especially if you live in the small world of venture backed start-ups like I do.  You must take great care in leaving your company on good terms.

What does this mean?  It means giving your supervisor a detailed transition plan and timeline that provides a realistic view on what you can accomplish in the time you are giving your employer.  Sure, your company may escort you out the door when you give your notice, but it is doubtful.

In your transition plan should be a listing of all the current projects on your plate, where you stand and what it will take to complete them.  You should identify whether you will be able to complete or who should be tasked with the project.  Including a schedule showing time to complete or transition time is very helpful.  Make sure you provide your old employer with a way to contact you (personal email address) in case they need to follow up on something in your notes.  Not required, but important when you are considering your future relationship with the important contacts form your old company.

Request LinkedIn recommendations from your previous supervisors, peers and subordinates.  I’ve had very good luck securing accurate and strong recommendations this way.  It is a much better to get the recommendation when your work product is fresh in their minds.

Finally, after you have left never, never, never publicly bad-mouth your employer, supervisor, peers, or subordinates.  Regardless of the truth of the situation; your standard response for leaving is to seek a new and exciting opportunity. Take the high road and resist behavior that will only hurt you in the long run.

Oh yeah, hit the ground running, prepare a 100 day action plan for your new job and kick it.

When It’s Time to Move On – Part I