When Irène Nkurunziza, a procurement expert, acquired a job that paid him twice his current salary, he didn’t think twice leaving seeing that the opportunity also came with other benefits. 

However, having worked for his current organisation for close to five years, he respected the relationship they had and knew he had to say ‘proper goodbyes.’ With that, he made a decision to inform his bosses a month earlier about his resignation, and was also willing to train the new employee who was to take over his position.

He did that as a way of appreciating his bosses for every opportunity they had offered him and all the skills he had learned from the job.

Nkurunziza notes that his bosses appreciated his gesture and wished him well wherever he was to seek greener pastures.

One mistake some employees make is to leave the company on unfriendly terms; this is not wise especially that no one knows what the future holds. Besides, burning bridges, cuts off relationships that could otherwise have helped one’s career in one way or another.

Diane Mutoni, the founder of a local ICT firm, stresses that when leaving a job, spare some time and arrange your work and tasks (how you have been able to execute them), if possible, include phone contacts of people you were communicating with as clients, and leave them behind with your boss as this will assist the next person who will replace you, than starting from scratch.

She also carries on to offer appreciation to co-workers because they could have offered a great work space and environment, or provided you with training, knowledge and assistance that kept you going and a better worker. 

"Sometimes it could even be that they provided a shoulder to lean on in tough times when you needed it.”

Nkurunziza believes that no company is perfect, it’s easy to get on the wrong path with a manager, but don’t hold grudges. "Regardless of the 90 per cent mistakes and disadvantages that could come from your bosses, at least appreciate the 10 per cent of lessons, expertise, and connections that the job offered.”

Mutoni explains that when leaving, first alert your manager about your resignation before submitting the resignation letter to the HR, that way, you don’t take them by surprise.

She discourages employees who inform their co-workers about their resignation before their managers or immediate supervisors, noting that it’s a sign of unprofessionalism. 

The ICT expert says that once you are done with the interview and answering some questions about the company, submit company’s property, for instance; laptop, keys, and so forth, as you don’t wish to leave a bad name behind as the former worker who stole the company’s equipment. 

"In case you somehow had misunderstandings or a fight with either your boss or co-workers, it’s advisable to solve it before leaving even when you think you may never cross paths again. Either way, whether you were the cause of the disagreement or not, settle it and leave on a good note.”