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Resign Gracefully and Keep Your Career Intact

Just when you think you are ahead of the game as you plan your next career move to match your next military household move, you are suddenly reminded that military life is always full of surprises. And most of the time it starts with the phrase, ‘Honey, guess what?’

When Air Force wife Cachet Prescott, PHR, learned she and her husband were supposed to PCS in two months she prepared her letter of resignation and planned to submit it within the standard 30 days so her supervisor would have plenty of time to prepare. And she did. But the day she delivered the news to her boss, her husband called almost as soon as she returned to her desk.

“Honey, guess what?” he said. The move would be in two weeks, instead of in two months.

“It was Tuesday and I had to figure out how to tell my boss that my last day was Friday,” said Prescott, a career coach and brand strategist. “When I went back into her office, all I could do was be honest. There was nothing I could do to change anything about the situation.”

As a military spouse, Prescott makes it a point to always expect the unexpected and to be as prepared as possible for sudden change because she knows it will happen, sooner or later. At work, this preparation includes a minimum of four goals.

1. Give advanced notice

Aim to give your employer a 30-day notice whenever it is feasible. Granted, Prescott still only ended up being able to three days’ notice, but if she had not been prepared by writing the letter as soon as she found out they were moving, she and her employer may have had to operate in crisis mode. And in a crisis situation there could have been a lot of bad feelings, negativity and damage to her professional reputation - all of which may have robbed her from a positive letter of reference and future networking potential.

2. Leave on a good note

No matter what the circumstances are of the job or your departure, don't tell the boss to take this job and shove it.

“I once loved a job, but couldn't stand my supervisor," Prescott said. “I really wanted to just say 'good riddance,' but I was still a faithful and good employee toward her because it was my reputation on the line.”

Prescott didn't let her employer's response to the last minute resignation and departure circumstances affect her professionalism either.

“My boss asked if I could let my family go ahead of me and I move later to give them more time to prepare at work,” Prescott said. “I reminded her that I had initially given 30-days’ notice instead of the acceptable two-week notice and that she knew my character was such that I would never have put her in a bind if it was within my control.”

3. Start a continuity binder

As easy as it would be to drop everything and walk (or run) away from a job when you have a thousand things to do to prepare for your move, leave the job better than it was when you arrived. Create a continuity binder if there isn't one. Or, if one does exist, update it as much as possible before you leave.

 “I know what it's like not to have any idea what needs to be done when you get to a new job. Be kind enough to leave a binder that provides direction, contacts and even simple screen shots,” Prescott said. “I have had my successors call and thank me for doing such a good job.”

4. Don't be emotional

Sometimes, even when you do your due diligence to provide advanced notice, leave on a good note and prepare a continuity binder, employers and fellow employees still may not treat you well and may be negative about your departure. Don't get emotional.

“Never let them see you sweat and don't cry at work. Have your 'moment' at home. Then, put on your game face and get through the day,” said Prescott.  “It's your time to countdown.”

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