Leaving a job? Finish well, and don't burn any bridges.

September 24, 5:40 PMJobs and Careers ExaminerKristina Cowan

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Workers change jobs frequently in today's market, experts say, particularly Generations X and Y. That points to many workers leaving jobs and employers behind, and it behooves them to make a grand exit--one that speaks well of their character and won't tarnish their careers.

The Monster Blog offers some basic-yet-thoughtful pointers for employees taking hiatus, including giving two weeks' notice, not mentally checking out before your last day, and not burning bridges.

The last point is especially important. Playing with fire is never a good idea, literally or figuratively, and especially when it comes to your career. Sooner or later, you'll encounter a job you don't like, a bad manager, an impossible schedule--or maybe all of the above. It can push you to the brink, where you entertain thoughts of running from the building screaming.

But you shouldn't. 

The Free Money Finance blog makes a good case as to why not. If you burn bridges, you could easily get scorched later by the fire you started with your previous employer.

Bill Radin also makes very valid points about keeping work alliances in tact.

"The company you left yesterday may need your services tomorrow. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it," Radin writes. "Sure, it’s easy to be gracious when everything’s rosy. But it takes an extra dose of character to act like an adult when the going gets tough. If you’re ever caught in a sudden employment shift, try to maintain your composure and consider the consequences of your actions."

I'll take it even further, and encourage you to stay in touch with your former employer. If you didn't mesh well with your manager, stay connected with your former co-workers, either on LinkedIn or through occasional e-mail updates, or others who were in managerial spots. Staying in the loop equips you with information, which is never a bad thing. You'll also want to have at least one person who can recommend your work there to future employers. This is particularly true if your new gig is within the same industry--but it also holds if you switch fields. It really is a small world, and getting smaller all the time, thanks to technology.

So go to great lengths to be of good cheer when you're leaving a job. It will pay off for your future career pursuits.

As Radin points out, "Otherwise, Shakespeare wouldn’t have written, 'A person is remembered for his entrances and exits.'"