Misty Gaither
Indeed Exec
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The Help Desk
![](https://thenewsette.com/app/uploads/2022/10/Misty-Gaither-150x150.jpg)
Tons of people (especially women) are saying goodbye to roles that no longer serve them. But leaving those connections on good terms is just as important as securing your next payday. That’s why we got advice on how to resign from Misty Gaither (she/her), Indeed’s senior director & global head of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Here are her As to all your Qs about leaving a company without burning bridges.
How soon is too early to leave a job?
I don’t think it is ever too early to leave a job. There are a number of different reasons a person might determine the role they accepted is not meeting personal expectations. Open and honest communication leading up to this decision is important to determine if there are opportunities to make adjustments, but jobseekers should prioritize working in a psychologically safe environment where people feel like they belong.
How much notice should we give before quitting?
A 2-week notice is customary in the US, but I appreciate it when notice is provided well in advance. While things may not be working out now, companies evolve and many have boomerang opportunities that you’ll forfeit if you negatively impact peers by departing abruptly.
How can we remain on good terms with our team when resigning?
Remaining on good terms starts with transparent communication about your experience while at the company. Share what went well and insights into your decision to explore new opportunities. It’s also important to create a transition plan outlining key deliverable dates. I would go even further to outline any dependencies that are necessary to keep the process flowing and key people involved. Being considerate of the impact your exit will have on others goes a long way.
Are exit interviews worth the time?
This is your opportunity to help the company improve and enhance the experience of prospective employees. Specific examples about your experience with people, the overall culture, talent development, leadership, scope of responsibility, etc., are all critical components of the dialogue. (I only advise you to spend time doing this if the environment is safe to do so.)
Sometimes we feel guilty for quitting a job we like. How do we get over that?
You might feel guilty about leaving a job—maybe you enjoy relationships with your colleagues or worry they’ll face extra challenges in your absence. These feelings are common. The good news is you can nearly always leave your job with a clear conscience. All in all, you’re choosing to end a relationship, which is always hard, personally and professionally. Try to remain objective and focus on what you are looking to accomplish long term. Finding a career opportunity that is better aligned with your goals is a win-win.
If we left a job for sour reasons (toxic workplace, discrimination, etc.), how do we explain that to potential employers in interviews?
This is an unfortunate experience we sometimes have to relive when asked why we are leaving our current roles. A few things to keep in mind when you are explaining: 1) Be clear about your reasons for exiting. Keep the commentary high-level by focusing on the culture, leadership, and your career trajectory. 2) Keep your answer concise. Be brief and pivot the conversation to why you’re excited about the new opportunity and the research you’ve done to ensure this role is aligned. You can also take this as an opportunity to ask more specific questions to validate information on their site, social media, and information from employee reviews.