AP Photo/Al Grillo
Tomorrow is Sarah Palin’s last day as governor of Alaska. Although it is a possibility that Palin may act like a maverick and go rogue as she leaves office, this is generally not something we want to do—no matter how tempting it may be—on our last day at a job. Here are some better options that will make your last day at work much easier and leave a good impression with your colleagues.
1. Do tie up all loose ends. It’s not fair to create extra work for your colleagues after you have gone, so be sure to let them know the status of your projects on your last day. “Transfer knowledge or information to those who need it. Just because you’re leaving doesn’t give you the right to leave jobs undone or your employer in the lurch,” said Lois P. Frankel, author of Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office. “Be certain that you have closed the loop on all of the projects assigned to you—it adds to your professionalism.”
2. Do express your emotions in an appropriate manner. You may feel a lot of sadness when you leave a job, especially if you have been fired or downsized. However, it’s best to remain professional, no matter how you may feel.
“Small displays of emotions are okay as long as they are small displays of emotions. Nobody wants to comfort a sobbing coworker,” said Karen L. Martin of Strategies for Human Resources. “That can weaken your reputation with those who may be helpful later.”
3. Do reflect on your experience at your job and take a personal inventory. “If you have had your nose to the proverbial grindstone for a few years, your resume and your 30-second personal pitch will need some freshening up,” said Lorne Epstein, coauthor of You're Hired! Interview Skills to Get the Job. “You have learned a great deal over the past few years, which is very cool and very valuable to your next employer.”
4. Do file for unemployment as soon as possible. If you are not going into a new job, don’t wait to file for unemployment. “Every day you don’t file is money you and your family are losing,” said Epstein. “Unless you agree to not file for unemployment insurance, get yourself into your state’s unemployment process—as you never know when you will need the financial resource.”
5. Do delete all of your personal files from your computer. Be sure to grab all of your personal files on your last day and save them or e-mail them to yourself.
Part Two: 10 things Sarah Palin should do on her last day at work (continued)
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