How to quit your job without burning bridges

What you need to know to help you make it.

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE     WED, JUL 21, 2021 Alicia Adamczyk is a money reporter for CNBC Make It, covering consumer issues, investing and digital financial communities. You can follow her on Twitter @AliciaAdamczyk. We've all dreamt of the moment we'll finally tell a bad boss to get lost and quit a terrible job in a blaze of glory.   Of course, few of us will actually quit so hastily — there's the matter of a paycheck, after all. But no matter how polite you aim to be, the etiquette of telling your current employer you're leaving can still be a little confusing. Luckily, my colleague Jennifer Liu wrote a nice run-down of what to do, which is especially timely given that a record number of Americans are leaving their jobs.    Most importantly: be direct. When you meet with your manager to say you're leaving, tell them something like, "I've enjoyed working with you, but this is an opportunity I can't pass up," says Chelsea Jay, a career coach and resume writer. Be sure to detail what your new job is offering that your current role doesn't. It doesn't have to be a drawn-out conversation, but your manager will likely appreciate the feedback. It's also crucial to give an appropriate amount of notice that you're leaving. It's a sign of respect and gives your current employer time to prepare for your absence. Two weeks is still the standard, but there are situations in which you may want to give more than that, such as if you're in a more senior role or are in the midst of a longer-term project.    That said, you also need to "protect your peace," Jay says.    "If you're in a position that threatens your physical, mental or emotional well-being and you need to leave sooner than two weeks, go ahead and do that," Jay says. "At the end of the day, it may be about self-preservation and making sure you're able to walk into the next organization whole."   It's also possible your current employer will terminate your position immediately after you give your notice, so keep that in mind. If that happens, do you have enough savings to last you until you start your next job? That's why planning ahead for your departure is so crucial.   Finally, Jay suggests making a list of your responsibilities for your manager and the co-workers who might take on some of your work. It will help make the transition easier and will leave a good impression on your old colleagues.   For those of you moving on to a new opportunity soon, I recommend reading Liu's whole piece. And here are some tips on what to say during your exit interview.   Have a friend who might appreciate this type of content? Please forward it along! Sign up for our weekly, original newsletter that goes beyond CNBC's annual Disruptor 50 list, offering a closer look at private, venture-backed companies before they go public, and the founders who continue to innovate across every sector of the economy. Trending articles from CNBC Make It Remove these 7 things from your resume 'ASAP,' says CEO who has read more than 1,000 resumes this year Self-made billionaire Thomas Tull on becoming rich, and how Warren Buffett changed his thinking 'Doge is my savings account': This 33-year-old is no longer a 'dogecoin millionaire'–but he's still buying the dips This brother and sister bring in $105,000 a year selling homemade sweet and spicy Mexican-American candy called chilitos This mistake could drop your credit score by as much as 50 points—here's how to avoid it Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Digital Products   Feedback Terms of Service Privacy Policy   © 2021 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBC Universal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS