There’s an old saying, it’s not what you know but who you know. This phrase has never been as apt as it is now. One might argue that it’s even more important in the age of 24/7 connectivity and social media. Take for example the recent story that went viral about the man who was rude on the train on the way to an interview only to later find his interview was with the same person. No, he didn’t get the job.
Little Things Matter
You might think instances like this are isolated but it’s often the small interactions that leave a lasting impression. From the words and photos posted on a social media site to the way you speak to co-workers, friends and acquaintances, each instance is cataloged in someone’s memory. Considering the time each of us spends at work each day, these small things add up quickly. When the environment and interactions are positive, it becomes easier to enjoy a job role and the people we interact with. If the opposite happens, there comes the inevitability of looking for a new position.
Depending on your current feelings about the job role, co-workers or work environment, it can be tempting to skip the two-weeks-notice in the dash for greener pastures. Similar to the ranting post on Facebook or a snippy tweet, this decision can feel immediately empowering, but be aware it also holds the possibility of creating a lasting impression of who you are as a person and co-worker.
Avoid the Burning Bridge
Anyone who’s been in the work world for any amount of time, knows the importance of keeping friends close and frenemies closer. What you decide or decide not to do can make or break opportunities for connections, referrals and could even affect your next job.
Be a Knowledge Resource – No matter how you feel about the current position, the role you play is a vital one, and there’s a good chance you hold knowledge that can help the next person who takes your position. Make a list of the skills used in the job and any day-to-day workings of the role and share it with the team.
Support your Co-workers – As you leave, your co-workers will most likely be taking up the slack until a replacement can be found. Before departing, make an effort to clean out files and network drives and discard unnecessary paperwork, letting a key person know where the current workload stands as well as next steps.
Keep the Door Open – If the work is something you’d like to continue, offer to contract as a freelancer or consultant for a fee. This willingness to continue to contribute can be invaluable when questions arise or prior background on a project is needed.
Taking care of these items will also make your two weeks pass in a flash. More importantly, these gestures demonstrate that you are a co-worker whose contributions will be missed. The team you work on will recognize this, which could become valuable in the future when it comes to acquiring a former co-worker or manager reference.
As a top Kansas City recruiting firm since 1988, Austin Nichols Technical Search has served clients in a variety of fields. Austin Nichols specializes in direct hire and contract recruiting for manufacturing, construction, engineering, and technical positions.
