Goodbye Email to Coworkers Dont Leave Your Job Without Writing Them

Goodbye Email to Coworkers Dont Leave Yur Job Without Writing Them So youre looking to resign gracefully. Youve decided its time to take the next step professionally and after hard work establishing what it is that you want, refining your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile, executing a job search, going through countless interviews, negotiations, and quiet moments of introspective thought, youve accepted a new role congratulations (and phew).Youve even gotten past the sometimes awkward or nerve-racking moment of telling your manager and HR kollektiv that youre leaving and you are developing an exit strategy so to not leave your team in a badeanstalt spot.Youre done right?Not quite.Theres one bebelastungung thing you should do before you turn in your badge and walk out door to bask in that feeling of little to no professional obligation for a weekend or maybe a week or two. (Side note, theres nothing like that feeling.)Whats that last step? Send a goodbye emaille to coworker s. This is different from writing a resignation letter, but in my professional opinion as a leadership and career growth coach, workplace consultant, and university professor, as well as from my time managing programs, teamsand people, and also just being a thoughtful human it is arguably mora important.What Is a Goodbye Email and Why Do You Need to Send One?First, lets talk about what these letters are all about. A resignation letter is formally communicating to your Human Resources departement that you will be leaving the company. You should do more than just scrap something together but this letter is mostly a formality.The goodbye letter on the other hand is sent by you to anyone you like and might be the last communication someone receives from you at this organization (or ever). You want to use it to communicate your departure and leave on a strong note. So how to do this? Read on for my framework to bid adieu flawlessly.Yes, you really do need to send a resignation letter an d a goodbye email.What Are the Farewell Email Components?Step 1 Greeting.I recommend something thats consistent with your personal tone if youre silly this is the time to show that The twist on this email, as compared to every other one youve sent your colleagues, is that you may not see many of these people ever again so as long as you still keep it within reason you can fully do you here.Step 2 What Are You Communicating?Communication 101 Be upfront and clear about what youre sharing. In this case its that youre leaving. Something like this works As most of you know my time at COMPANY NAME has come to a close. Ive truly enjoyed partnering with each and every one of you and BRIEF SYNTHESIS OF YOUR WORK, FOR INSTANCE expanding our portfolio of clients. Now, you have a main message here (that youre leaving) but notice a second part. You also want to upfront sincerely thank your colleagues for their partnership. Never underestimate the power of expressing appreciation.Step 3 Hit You r Highlight Reel.After making it clear that youre leaving, and acknowledging your appreciation for your soon-to-be former colleagues, you want to toot your own horn a little bit. Why? You want to leave on the best possible terms. Dont expect everyone to remember all the great things youve done in fact, they likely will not remember unless you tell them. Just like you focus on your best accomplishments in your resume you want to focus on your best accomplishments when leaving and remind everyone of how valuable you have been. Remember, this might be the last time you communicate directly with some of these people and since youre in control of the message, capitalize on thatSlightly uncomfortable doing this? Consider this Youre in the middle of a change, yes. But more than likely you will likely have more professional changes in your future. Who knows the recipients of this email might recruit you for your next position some day or you might want to recruit them. You want this last c ommunication showcasing your best work and your best, honest self.Step 4 Share Whats Next.Tell them what youre doing Sometimes you may not want to reveal too many details for various reasons, which is fine. But sharing what youre comfortable with is key to make people feel connected with you and your plans. Try something like Whats next for me? Ill be starting with COMPANY NAME next month where Ill be WHAT YOULL BE DOING. Ill be staying in the CITY, STATE area so if youre ever in WHERE YOU LIVE / WHERE YOULL BE NEWLY WORKING give me a shout. OR Ill be relocating to NEW CITY, STATE for this opportunity. If you are ever in the area or want to get together give me a shout.Step 5 Say Bye + Share Whatever Personal Info You Want to Share.Sign off and make sure your soon to be former colleagues can get a hold of you if they want via channels youre comfortable with Your email and LinkedIn profile are pretty standard but if youre comfortable sharing a phone number, Twitter, Instagram, or Fa cebook link go for it.Tip QA your links for real, the very last time I sent one of these before running my business full time my LinkedIn profile link was wrong. It happens and I just laughed it off, but I was also pretty mortified and likely yperit out on a lot of connections. Dont make the same mistake And with that, youre drafted Just a few more nuances to consider before hitting sendHow Do You SendYour Expertly Crafted Farewell Email?There are rules to sending this goodbye email, too, so that not only is your email actuallyread, but that it also delivers to the right people.1. Send as BCCNo one on this recipient list needs to see everyone youre sending this to. Plus, you may want to include people who might cause a stir or you want to leave a few people off. Remember, you can really do you in this email but its never bad to show up polished and thoughtful so when in doubt, go with the BCC.2. Copy Your Personal EmailAssuming you actually want to stay in touch, copy your personal email address. This is a subtle way to reinforce youre leaving. Also, if someone sees your note after you leave (when you no longer have access to your email address) theyll have quick access to this info.3. Make Your List in AdvancePlan out who should receive this message in advance. If youve been at a company for a while this will be a long list. Im a groupie of beginning to capture this list a few weeks before your departure. Tip If you realize after hitting send that you forgot someone simply send him/her a separate message on BCC theyll never know.4. Send Personalized Versions as it Makes SenseHave a mentor, client youre close with, or an executive who you has a strong connection with or WANT to have a strong connection with in the future? Send this person a slightly different version of this note. This can be virtually the same message but it might be subtly nuanced sometimes Ive simply sent a personal message forwarded on top of my mass email. The point here is to wholehea rtedly send a kind, thoughtful, personalized note to anyone who warrants it.5. Tell Some People in AdvancePut it this way If someone is important to you, your farewell email should not be the first time they find out youre leaving (this assumes youve had a period of notice, that is).6. Send it Late Morning/Mid-DayOften you want to exit the office a tad early, or at least on time, on your last day, so if you want to be able to field questions or have quick conversations before you head out to give yourself a little bit of time.7. Be Prepared for ResponsesThis is the reason for the timing recommendation but I recall being surprised by all the emails, calls, and IMs I got when leaving my first corporate departure after four years and three different roles. I actually ended up showing up late to my own farewell happy hour because I was busy responding to messages or sending them to my person email. This is another mistake to not make. Here are some tips on how to control your email inbo x to help.8. Tune into Others GoodbyesNo one knows your peers and organization like you maybe youve observed a few great emails in your day, maybe youve received bad ones. Strive to emulate the good especially if there are some cultural or communication quirks at your organization that you want to take into consideration.Sometimes you may not have the opportunity to do this (like if youre leaving for a direct competitor and are asked to leave upon giving your notice). Thats okay things happen and life certainly happens. But when you can, sending a note like this makes you more human, more approachable, reminds people of your contribution, and will lock in maybe your last contact with them in a positive light.Every company, culture, and person is different but a part of career growth and success is directly influenced by relationships. You dont need to feel guilty about quitting your job just communicate so you dont burn bridges. The point of this type of communication is to help lay the foundation continue those relationships long after your departure.--Jane Scudder is a certified leadership, personal development, and career growth coach she helps individuals and groups get unstuck and achieve positive, sustainable change. In addition to one-on-one coaching she builds and leads original workshops and training programs, and consults with organizations of various sizes. Find out more at janescudder.com.