Do I Need to Give a (Two Week) Notice?

Some candidates have asked me to touch on the topic of surviving the final two weeks at a job after giving your notice of resignation. [Some jobs may require more than two weeks]

This is not an issue for most seasoned working folks.
Changing jobs can be welcomed relief for some. Others feel like they are leaving a loved one. But occasionally, the last two weeks can be torture.

A simple plan can help you avoid headaches and bad karma as you transition from one employer to the next.

Do I Need to Give Notice:
Let me first reiterate that giving appropriate notice is always the right thing to do. Demonstrated professionalism will carry you a long way throughout your career. I've had candidates give two week notice who had their employer tell them that they can leave the same day. But its always better to let the employer be the one to make that call.

Passing the ball:
Others need to transition responsibilities to coworkers before they go. I had a candidate tell me that he coasted through his last two weeks and just dropped off his workload onto another team member on the last day -- Not cool. You don't want that on you so do don't do it to other.

The last thing you want your coworkers or employer to remember about you is a bad work ethic. Keep these connections strong as you may need a reference in the future. You may even run into the same people you've worked with at future employers.

I was working to fill an architect role who had a perfect background. The candidate was an exact fit for the client but the hiring manager and candidate had mutual friends in the industry. A couple of off the record phone calls from hiring manager to friends revealed that the candidate had left his old team hanging. Thus, no job.

A Clear Line of Sight:
Leave a map for your coworkers to follow. Writing things down giving people a clear line of sight will save them time any the trouble of being a point of reference when you aren't there any more.

When the two weeks are over be sure that you are remembered for all the good things you've done during your time at that employer. Shake hands, thank those who have been supportive and move on.

Vahid Behzadi
Executive Recruiter