Let’s Talk About It: Creating an Exit Plan

Today is the federal holiday, Labor Day. According to the US Department of Labor, this holiday is “Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.” So, it is perfect timing for this blog post to come out today! I was supposed to release this post months ago, but this month I wanted to start consistently posting on my blog.  Today’s Let’s Talk About It Series post is about creating your exit plan.

What is an exit plan? An exit plan is a strategy for leaving a job. It should include a timeline for leaving and, if possible, a plan for your next steps. Before librarianship, I didn’t have this phrase in my lexicon, and I would have what I called an “in the meantime, in-between time” type of gig. I know I wouldn’t be there long, but it was a way to pay my bills. Sometimes, we realize this about a job, or once we get on the job, we must pivot our long-term plans of staying in the position. I have created an exit plan due to the organizational structure, toxic work environment, low pay, or the commuting distance. Having an exit plan has served me well because I am not just making money for myself. I am helping to provide for my family, so I don’t have the luxury of quitting without a plan. 

Another aspect of creating an exit plan I want to write about briefly is what the media has been reporting on for the last two years: “quiet quitting.”  I like this concept definition; according to a LinkedIn piece, quiet quitting is “about rejecting the notion that work has to take over one’s life and that employees should go above and beyond what their job descriptions entail. According to Metro, this can take many forms – including turning down projects based on interest, refusing to answer work messages outside of working hours, or simply feeling less invested in the role.” This phrase has been through a lot! There are many definitions and thoughts on the subject. Some people have accused my generation(millennials) and Gen Zers of being lazy and ungrateful. I think that this concept is creating healthy boundaries. As many people have written about and vocalized, your job shouldn’t be your all and all. You should want to have a life outside of work, hence why I and many of my colleagues have resonated with Fobazi Ettarh’s scholarship about vocational awe. One of the many lessons I learned during the COVID-19 global pandemic is that life is fleeting, and my job is a job. It is okay just to do it well, and that is it. 

So why bring this concept into the conversation of creating an exit plan? If one of the aspects of your exit plan is looking for another job, then you need to just stick to your job duties. As the saying goes, “Searching for a job is a job in itself.” It takes a lot of energy to find a good job and apply to it, and the interview process is time-consuming. It is wise to conserve your energy since you will need it when job hunting. 

Here are some tips for creating an exit plan:

• Start by setting a timeline for leaving. This will help you stay on track and avoid leaving your job chaotic or unprepared.
• Make a list of all the tasks that need to be completed before you leave. This includes wrapping up any projects you’re working on or possibly documenting best practices for your replacement.
• Decide when you will communicate your departure to your employer because, in some jobs, you have to give a month’s notice due to how the pay periods are structured.  
• If your job does exit interviews, decide whether you want to partake in this because you will need time to organize your thoughts about ways the institution can improve and how they were helpful to your career.
• Your journey is your story; if you don’t want to share your next steps with your colleagues, don’t feel obligated.

Leaving a job can be a stressful experience, but having a well-thought-out exit plan can make the process much smoother. Have you ever created an exit plan? What do you think about me tying the quiet quitting concept into your exit plan? I look forward to your thoughts!

Take care,

Jamia