How To Quit A Job Professionally: Employee Exit Strategy

There comes a moment in many careers when staying feels heavier than leaving. Whether it builds slowly through burnout or hits you all at once in a tense meeting, the realization that it’s time to quit your job is both clarifying and deeply uncomfortable. For many people, this decision brings up anxiety, doubt, and the looming question: What now?

Quitting a job is not just a logistical task. It is a personal transition. It involves untangling yourself from relationships, responsibilities, and perhaps even an identity you’ve held for years. At Reboot, we see career transitions as thresholds. You’re not simply leaving a job. You’re stepping toward something new. And how you do that matters.

If you’re navigating a transition and need support, working with a career coach at Reboot can help you move forward with clarity and integrity. Connect with our team of experienced coaches here. 

Steps to Take Before Quitting Your Job

Before you resign, it helps to slow down and approach the process with care. Here are several foundational steps to guide your thinking and planning before you give two weeks’ notice.

1. Get radically honest with yourself
   Before updating your resume or drafting your resignation letter, take time to reflect. Are you leaving your current position because you have career goals and are being called toward something more aligned, or because you’re running from something painful in your current work environment?
   
   Both are valid, but clarity matters. Write about what’s working and what’s not. Sit quietly and ask, “What would I do if I weren’t afraid?” Pay attention to your body. If the idea of staying feels like constriction, and the idea of leaving brings even a sliver of relief, that matters.
2. Name the gap between your values and your reality
   It’s one thing to feel unhappy. It’s another to understand why. Lay your personal values next to the daily demands of your current role. Are there consistent points of misalignment? Are you leaving a toxic work environment?
   
   Perhaps the pace of your work undermines your well-being, or your employer’s culture doesn’t support the kind of leadership you believe in. When you name the dissonance, you begin to reclaim agency that you can bring into a new role.
3. Assess your financial runway
   Transitioning jobs often comes with uncertainty. That doesn’t mean you need to have every detail figured out, but it’s wise to understand your baseline. Review your savings. Map out your monthly expenses. Ask yourself how long you could realistically be in between roles without added stress. Knowing your runway helps ground your decision in practical truth, not just emotion.
4. Find a sounding board you trust
   Sometimes clarity comes from being witnessed. Talk to a mentor, business coach or friend who knows how to hold space and give career advice without rushing to fix. Don’t look for someone to give you permission to leave. Instead, look for someone who can help you hear yourself more clearly. Choose someone who will ask real questions: What’s the cost of staying? What’s the risk of leaving? What’s the story you’re telling yourself about your worth in this job?
5. Start preparing your exit logistically
   Quietly gather any personal files, contacts, or materials you may need later. Check your employment contract or employee handbook for information about your notice period, benefits, or non-compete clauses. Begin creating a plan for how you’d hand off your responsibilities. Consider if you have or need a letter of recommendation. This isn’t about disengaging prematurely. It’s about preparing to leave with intention and integrity.
6. Clarify what you want from your next role
   Ask yourself what kind of company culture, leadership, and structure would help you thrive. What kind of work makes you feel most alive? What do you want to avoid repeating? These reflections help you choose consciously instead of reactively.
7. Decide how you want to feel on the other side
   Picture your last day at your current company. What kind of exit would allow you to feel proud? What would leave your relationships intact? The more you anchor your actions in how you want to feel afterward, the more likely you are to leave in a way that honors your integrity.
8. Begin documenting your accomplishments
   Start compiling a clear list of achievements from your current job. Think about metrics, team contributions, leadership wins, and projects you’ve led. This will help you update your resume and LinkedIn profile with confidence. You may need these details for future applications, interviews, or conversations with recruiters.
9. Refresh your resume and online profiles
   Update your resume to reflect your most recent experience. Tailor it to highlight the skills and achievements that matter for the roles you want next. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is current and complete. Include a professional headshot, a thoughtful summary, and examples of your work if applicable.
10. Start networking intentionally
    Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, or contacts in industries you’re curious about. Don’t wait until after you leave to begin exploring new opportunities. A few conversations now can open doors later. You don’t need to have all the answers. Just begin.

When You Know It’s Time to Go

Sometimes the signs are obvious: a toxic workplace, declining mental health, and ethical misalignment. Other times, it’s subtler. You might feel consistently drained, disconnected from your team, or quietly dreading Monday mornings. Pay attention to those signals. If you’re experiencing burnout or feel stuck in a role that no longer reflects your values, those are important indicators.

You might ask yourself: What part of me is trying to grow? What have I outgrown? Am I staying out of fear or loyalty? Is my loyalty to the company starting to compromise my loyalty to myself?

It may also be helpful to track how your body responds to your workday. Are you clenching your jaw during meetings? Are you having trouble sleeping on Sunday nights? Somatic clues often surface before the rational mind catches up. Your body often knows the truth before your brain is ready to admit it.

Having the Conversation

There’s no perfect way to tell your current employer that you’re leaving. But honesty, clarity, and professionalism go a long way. Plan a private face-to-face conversation, whether in person or on Zoom, and let them know you’d like to talk about your role. You can express gratitude for what you’ve learned and also be honest about what’s no longer working for you. You don’t owe every detail, but being thoughtful and respectful sets the tone for a smooth transition.

Be prepared to discuss your notice period. Two weeks notice is standard in many industries, but some roles may require more time. If you have a specific last day in mind, share it clearly. Be mindful of company policies and any contractual obligations.

Some companies may ask you to leave immediately after giving notice. Others will want you to help with knowledge transfer and transition planning during your final days. Prepare emotionally and financially for either outcome.

And remember, quitting a job doesn’t mean burning bridges. You may cross paths with former colleagues again. How you leave matters.

Writing a Resignation Letter

While you want to have the initial conversation in a face-to-face manner, it’s also important that you follow up with a formal letter of resignation that can be kept on file by your current employer’s HR department.

Your resignation letter should be drafted in a professional manner: concise, respectful, and direct. It’s a formal record of your decision to leave. You don’t need to go into deep personal detail, but you should clearly state your last working day and express gratitude for the opportunity if that feels genuine.

For example:

“Dear [Manager’s Name],

Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position at [Company Name], effective [Last Day]. I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had here and wish the team continued success.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]”

Keep a copy for your records, and submit it after you’ve had the initial conversation with your manager.

If you’re in a senior role or have access to sensitive information, you may want to draft a transition plan to include in your resignation or in a follow-up message. This can demonstrate maturity and foresight, especially if you hope to leave on good terms.

C-suite leaders and experienced professionals often face unique challenges during transitions. If you’re navigating your next move, working with an executive coach can provide the clarity, perspective, and support you need. Connect with one of Reboot’s experienced coaches here. 

Navigating Your Last Days

The period between your resignation and your last day is a transition all its own. Wrap up your work with care. Create documentation for the person taking over your responsibilities. Leave things better than you found them.

If you are asked to participate in an exit interview, take the opportunity to offer constructive feedback. Keep it professional. Focus on what you experienced and what might be helpful for the company to know. You are not responsible for fixing the culture on your way out, but you can leave with integrity.

Say goodbye to your coworkers in a way that feels meaningful to you. Whether that’s a personal message, a team lunch, or a thoughtful email, you are closing one chapter and stepping into another.

In some cases, people around you may question your decision. They may try to convince you to stay or may project their own fears onto your choice. That’s normal. When others are afraid of change, they often resist the changes they see in us. Hold steady in your decision.

What Comes After

After your last day, give yourself time to process. Even when the decision was right, it can stir up unexpected feelings. Relief, grief, fear, excitement. Let yourself feel them.

This is a good time to reconnect with yourself. What do you want from your next role? What kind of company culture are you looking for? What did you learn about yourself from your last job?

Start updating your resume, reflecting on accomplishments, and getting clear on what you want to carry forward. Consider reaching out to a recruiter who specializes in your industry. A good career coach can help you position your experience, prepare for interviews, and explore options you may not have seen on your own.

You might also take time to review your professional references, update your LinkedIn profile, or schedule informational interviews with people in roles or industries that interest you.

And if you find yourself feeling lost or uncertain, that’s okay too. Many people experience a dip after leaving a job, especially if they tied part of their identity to the role. Be kind to yourself in the in-between.

Prep for Career Shifts & Career Changes
Executive recruiter Keith McAllister discusses the importance of clearly articulating who you are, what you do, and what you’ve done, and shares advice for leveraging your personal and professional networks. Keith details what to do (and not do) when you receive a call from a recruiter, and Ali asks, “How important is your LinkedIn profile?”

How To Quit A Job Professionally: A Step-by-Step Process

1. Schedule a private meeting with your manager
   Once you’ve made the decision, don’t delay the conversation. When possible, a face-to-face is best. Request a time to speak in person or via video call if you’re remote. Avoid doing this over email or Slack.
2. Prepare what you want to say
   Speak to your appreciation for the experience and your clarity that you have a new opportunity and it’s time to move on. Whether you’re leaving for a new job offer or personal reasons, you don’t need to overexplain. Aim to leave on a positive note.
3. Offer a clear notice period
   Two weeks’ notice is standard, but be upfront about your intended last day. If you’re open to flexibility during the transition, say so—but only if that feels good to you.
4. Submit your resignation in writing
   Follow up the conversation with a formal resignation letter or email. Keep it simple, clear, and gracious.
5. Transition your responsibilities
   Create a handoff document outlining your key projects and deadlines. Share relevant files and contacts. Set up meetings with your replacement if applicable. Aim to leave on good terms.
6. Exit gracefully
   Let coworkers know you’re leaving in a way that feels aligned. Be honest and professional if your company requests an exit interview. Express gratitude where it’s genuine.
7. Reflect, decompress, and reset
   Give yourself time. Transitions are emotional. Take a few days to rest before launching into job applications or your next move.

How To Quit A Job Without Losing Yourself

Quitting your job isn’t just about leaving something behind. It’s about moving toward what matters more. It takes courage to leave the familiar, even when it’s no longer serving you. But every career transition carries with it the possibility of transformation.

You are not just exiting a company. You are creating the conditions for a more aligned, more fully lived version of your work life.

Make space for that version to emerge.