Career Advice

How to Leave Your Job for a Freelance Life

By Karl Hodge September 27th, 2013

Going freelance has a truckload of positives. You make your own schedule, managing work at your own pace. You choose the projects you commit to. You decide where you work and what you wear. Every day is dress-down Friday.

In short, you’re the boss now. The boss of you.

Before you get to that point there’s something many of us have to do first. You have to leave your job.

Savvy freelancers will have a few key contracts lined up, a little nest egg of start-up capital in the bank and a book full of contacts. But you still have to break up with your old boss. And that’s not easy.

The first step — keep it quiet. It may be tempting, especially if you’re cooking up exciting plans, to confide in a colleague or two. That’s how gossip starts. Before you know it, everyone will be convinced you’ve run off to join the circus with Leslie from accounts. You need to control the narrative.

Accentuate the Positive

When it’s time to start talking, tell your boss first. “Always give your notice in person with your resignation letter in your back pocket,” said Sabina Augustin, human resources manager at Tara Daynes HR.

Make sure you arrange a one-to-one meeting and prepare what you’re going to say. Keep the conversation upbeat.

“Remind them what you have implemented and how you have added value,” says Sabina.

Last impressions are every bit as important as first impressions, so keep doing your job as enthusiastically as you did on your first day.

Your resignation letter — legally required in most circumstances to terminate your contract — should be formal and polite. Again, the keyword here is “positivity.” This is not the time to express your long simmering dissatisfaction with the canteen salad bar.

“Under no circumstances should you allow your resignation to become a soapbox for criticism,” said Robert Bowyer, director at Venn Group. “In your letter of resignation, you should ensure that you thank your employer for the opportunities they have offered you and emphasize the fact that you have enjoyed your time at the company.”

Your letter doesn’t need to go into detail about why you’re leaving. You can simply say that you’re going to start your own business.

Do your Job

Five o’clock fever is that lazy sensation that overwhelms you as the working day draws to a close. When you’ve handed in your notice, it’s tempting to treat every remaining hour like it’s five to five.

Just don’t.

Businesses are made of people and it’s crucial that you leave a good impression on as many of them as possible.

Last impressions are every bit as important as first impressions, so keep doing your job as enthusiastically as you did on your first day.

“Try not to leave during critical projects you may be responsible for,” Augustin said. “You want them to remember how wonderful you are even when you have left.”

During those final weeks of work you’ll be preparing things for the person who replaces you.

“Make your handover documents as extensive as possible,” said Barney Ely, director of Hays Human Resources, “And be cooperative if you have been asked to handover to a colleague.”

Don’t Burn Bridges, Build Them

Finally, take the opportunity to say goodbye to the colleagues you leave behind. Hook up with your soon-to-be former workmates on LinkedIn. Arrange to have informal drinks to celebrate your leaving. Businesses are made of people and it’s crucial that you leave a good impression on as many of them as possible.

“They could change companies too and be in a position to make hiring decisions about you in the future,” said Jo Long, director of Expectations! Recruitment Services. “If you walk away from your current job with good grace, you will be remembered in a positive light. ”

Why go to all this trouble?

“How you handle leaving a role can have a huge impact on your career,” Ely said. “Building and maintaining relationships is not just valuable but vital as a freelancer.”

Image courtesy of benzado/flickr

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