So you’ve decided the best solution is to resign. The next consideration should be how to accomplish the departure in as professional a manner as possible. "Leave professionally," suggests career coach Hallie Crawford. "The people there may cross your path again in the future." The admonition to “be professional” involves multiple aspects. For starters, an in-person resignation is essential. Although it’s not as quick and easy for the exiting employee as an email, note, or text, it is appreciated and gains points for your character. After all, you’re a mature adult, right? Which leads us to the “be professional” strategy number 2. Make an intentional effort skip burning bridges on the way out. Remember, what goes around comes around. Additional leave-properly-and-professionally tips include:

• Be flexible

While a two weeks’ notice is considered standard, if a longer notice is helpful for your current boss, do your best to comply. If you can assist in training your replacement, by all means, do so. Be as flexible as you can to smooth the time of transition for your former employer.

• Be committed, diligent, “all in” until the end

After defeating the “senioritis-type” urge to do nothing following her resignation, Norah Forrester kicked herself into high gear. “I gave my final projects 100% of my effort, I provided required and supplemental training to the new team member, and I made sure that everyone felt comfortable with how I was leaving.” Commit to being “all in” until the last official day on the job. Don’t slack off, focus on the new job, or in any other way steal company time from your current boss.

• Write down the “what” and the “how” of everything you do

A formal job description cannot fully capture the day-to-day tasks, let alone the minute details, concerning what any individual does as part of their job. So, do your boss and colleagues a huge favor by detailing every last thing you did—especially those things that you took care of that weren’t officially yours to do. Don’t expect to accomplish this task on your last afternoon on the job either. Rather begin working on it immediately after you give notice.

• Leave on a good note - even if you have to make one up.

In other words, accentuate the positive, and unless the negative aspects involved breaking the law, choose to drop it. Be remembered for your accomplishments rather than for the loud or whispered venting you did on the way out the door. "Even if you’re dissatisfied with the job you’re leaving, remaining professional will serve you in the long run," says Julie Cohen. At MPS Technical, we expect high standards from our clients, ensuring that candidates like you will be matched with high quality/high caliber employers. We monitor the culture, safety, and cleanliness of each workplace. Ninety percent of our candidates give MPS credit for “getting them well-prepared for their first day.” Let us do the same for you!