Are you quitting your job to move on to a new and exciting opportunity?

Congrats! Leaving your job can be a thrilling (though hectic) time in your life. Knowing how to quit properly makes the transition seamless as you move into your new professional home.

Plus--you don't want to burn any bridges on your way out, right? We detail below how to stay professional when you leave your job, with the top tips to leave your company on great terms.

Five Steps to Quitting your Job (Professionally)

1. Set an Unambiguous Quit Date

Once you’ve found a new position, quickly set and settle a specific end date with your old and new jobs. Your new employer will want to know a specific time when you can start and your current employer will want to know exactly when you’re leaving. No one likes to be caught by surprise with work.

2. Don't Tell People You’re Thinking of Leaving

You might be excited to tell your colleagues that you're actively seeking new opportunities, but--well, don't. Never tell your boss (or colleagues who might pass on the info) that you’re thinking of leaving before you have a new job fully lined up. Finding that perfect job could take a week, or it could be years.

3. Quit on Friday

There are several reasons that Friday is the traditional day to quit. If you decide to quit Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday you’re making a mistake! When you turn in your notice on a Friday you can let the dust settle over the weekend. This will give your bosses and colleagues time to think through their reactions and when you come in on Monday, you can all be prepared with your ideas for a transition plan without being so emotionally fueled.

4. Take Note of the Processes

Knowing how your bosses and colleagues prefer to be notified and how they prefer you to act in your final two weeks isn’t impossible. As long as you pay attention to how others were treated when they quit, you can establish some realistic expectations and figure out what specific do’s and don’ts apply to resigning at your current company. It's different at every organization and, if you haven't observed the preferred method at your company, you can always ask your trusted IT Recruiter or Search Executive for a more generalized list of do's and don'ts.

5. Write A Transition Plan

You can prepare a plan of action long before your resignation and simply not share it with your bosses until you turn in your notice but don’t forget to write one up! While your boss may not agree with your transition plan and want you to make some adjustments, coming in prepared will show that you’re dedicated to making this transition smooth and easy for everyone involved and you have specific tasks laid out for your final weeks so they won’t throw excessive extras on your plate trying to drain you of everything they can before you leave.

If you want to quit the right way don’t do these 5 things! You can avoid a lot of confusion and resentment by preparing for quitting the same way you would prepare for a job interview or a promotion.

Are you someone who's looking for the perfect fit and just hasn't found it yet? Camden Kelly is here to help. Click here to send in your resume and we will help you find your dream job!