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* Your career goals have evolved, and you are ready to pursue new opportunities.
Once you have made decision to resign, plan for following:
* Write a letter of resignation. Keep letter short and to point. The letter should mention two key points (1) date of your last day of work and (2) a thank you to your immediate superior for having provided you with opportunity to work for organization.
* Prepare for an exit interview. This is not an opportunity for you to provide a laundry list of pet peeves. Instead, use this time to offer objective and constructive feedback.
Possible exit interview questions include: What were factors that contributed to your accepting a job with our Company? Were your expectations realized? Has that changed? What constructive comments do you have for management with regard to making this a better place to work? Why are you leaving? What would have kept you here? What do you expect to find somewhere else?
* Go extra step. Ask your manager what you can do to make transition easier and, if possible, offer to train your successor.
* Extended yourself. Be available for a certain time after your last day to answer any questions your employer may have.
Most important of all, do not burn your bridges. Keep your resignation professional and brief.
Recognized as a career expert, Linda Matias brings a wealth of experience to the career services field. She is President of CareerStrides and The National Resume Writers' Association. Visit her website at www.careerstrides.com or email her at careerstrides@bigfoot.com.