It may feel like payback, but who is really left with the cheque? No matter what you believe, even if there is some minor setback, the business, boss and your team carry on.

So, if you are poised to make a scene and advertise your “quit” loudly and broadly, including on social media, reconsider. Sure, you will feel some immediate gratification, but it passes quickly, leaving you instead with the possible stain of regret and embarrassment.

As for the chance to be seen (or was it famous?), liked and viewed, with all the other posts vying for attention, yours is soon forgotten. Except when those hiring managers are doing their background checks for future hires.

Before word spreads, ask your manager how and when your resignation will be announced. They will appreciate the consideration. Align your messaging, publicly and privately.

Don’t update LinkedIn the moment you walk out the door. When you do go public, keep it warm and neutral. Thank your colleagues. Mention what you’ve learnt. You’re building a professional narrative, not closing a personal diary.

How you show up now matters. This is not the time to disengage. Whether you’ve been there three months or three years, your final weeks will shape a lasting impression.

Be on time and early every day, provide a great handover, help your team and don’t weaponise sick leave as revenge. You don’t want your legacy to be the mess others had to mop up.

No matter how justified your reasons for leaving, the exit is not the time to fix a broken culture or list your grievances. If there’s a formal exit interview, treat it like a business conversation, not therapy.

Constructive feedback? Yes. A purge of stored resentment? No. Remember: even companies in crisis evolve, and people move around. In future, you may find yourself working with or under a former colleague. Give them a reason to speak well of you, not just because you were good, but because you left well.

It’s a common misstep, not knowing what to say or how to act after resigning. Going silent isn’t a good strategy. Instead, invest in parting conversations with key colleagues and mentors.

These don’t need to be emotional farewells, but a thoughtful note, LinkedIn message or in-person chat. Make it easy for others to stay in touch. These people may refer you for a job in years to come or be sitting across from you in a negotiation in future.

Australia is small. In fact, the world is small. The 1967 “six degrees” theory is based on the idea that every human is connected through a maximum of six intermediaries.

Today’s real-world applications of the internet and social media show it’s more like four. Consider references and those off-the-record references. How you quit has never been more important.