How To Quit Your Job

Whether it's time to face a new occupational adventure or you're just sick of the job rut you find yourself in, take note from professionals, on how to properly leave your job.

Step One: Find another job. We're all aware that our economy is in the dumps, so quitting your job without a back-up plan won't help. If your current situation is becoming too much to take, Linda A. Phillips, a Des Moines career counselor, suggests talking to your employer to try to fix things. This might mean delegating tasks or switching to a different department or team within the office.

Step Two: Check your benefits. Benefits can be tricky. Be sure you're being smart about switching jobs. "You need to make sure you know what benefits can travel with you," says Phillips.

One of the most important benefits to look at is health care insurance. Phillips says it's "one of the most expensive benefits out there, so make sure you have adequate coverage until you are covered under your new job." Phillips also notes that it's necessary to consider that some jobs don't cover employees until they have been on staff for three months.

Some other benefits to pay attention to are life insurance and investments like 401(k)s. For life insurance, Phillips advises checking if you can convert what you have gained into a private policy, or if it's something you can simply walk away from. As for 401(k)s, ask if you can continue the fund you have started at your new job. Phillips also urges those who are within a few months of being vested to stick it out so they can rake in all the benefits that were promised upon employment.

Step Three: Update your resume. Not only should you tweak your resume to include your experiences at your current job, but you should also find ways to back it up. Phillips suggests getting copies or artifacts that can document your accomplishments— just make sure it's legal before you go crazy on the Xerox. "It's always good to have proof of the kinds of things that you've done as you take yourself out to future employers," Phillips says.

Step Four: Grab your contacts. "Go through your Rolodex or contact list and be sure you get your contacts copied," Phillips says. This is your chance to jot down important contact info for people you have met through your job and want to keep handy for other opportunities down the road.

Step Five: Leave with class. Just because you're leaving doesn't mean you have to burn your bridges. If you want a good recommendation or reference, it's best to tie up all the loose ends you've been working on and give notice. Phillips says one of the most common mistakes people make is quitting without giving sufficient notice to employers or without leaving adequate documentation for whomever takes their place. "Doing this may damage your reputation with the company and come back and bite you in the backside for not having a good reference for the future."