Farewell speech: how to say goodbye to your job

Content

• Farewell to my job: I'll be gone then
• Tips for the meantime after the termination
• Farewell speech: this is how you say good-bye in perfect form
• Tips for the farewell speech
• Don't talk badly about ex-employers
• Tips for the last day of work: I was nice to you!

At last! They say goodbye to their job, leave the juice shop, close this inglorious chapter of their career. After years of martyrdom, there is the chance to take stock in a farewell speech and settle accounts with the boss or colleagues. Error! You may go down in the company's history, but you also show small intellect and damage your reputation. There are many occasions for farewell speeches. For a professional farewell speech, however, there is little scope in terms of content ...

Farewell to my job: I'll be gone then

You always have the opportunity to give a farewell speech in your professional life: some change jobs, others say goodbye to retirement. But the following applies to everyone: Until the moment you say goodbye, you no longer work for your ex-employer, but for your reputation.

How long this phase lasts, determines the employment contract and the notice period. It is irrelevant whether you have given notice or terminated the employment relationship yourself. As long as you're not out, please stay a pro. Anytime. No matter how unprofessional the employer is. If the boss asks you for a reason for the termination, stay positive. Her answer is, “I am grateful for the instructive time (that can mean anything). The new job offers exciting challenges. I want to develop myself further. ”Unless you want to play level limbo ...

Tips for the meantime after the termination

While you are mentally preparing your farewell speech and appropriate farewell words, you are still working for the company. Until the last working day (checklist, PDF) you should note the following:

• handing over
  Carefully complete all open projects and tasks and conscientiously train your successor - with orderly documents, contacts, information on processes and important accesses or passwords.
• Reluctance
  After termination, you will be considered a “lame duck”. Your ideas and suggestions then have less and less weight. Don't worry about it. The behavior is completely normal. The colleagues know that you will soon be leaving and that the work and implementation of your suggestions will be done by others. So everyone is holding back. You too, please.
• Poison folder
  Clean up your office. You should bring personal things and your private property home discreetly and in good time. This is especially true for data on the computer that could be used against you. Conversely, create a “poison folder”. In it you collect printouts of e-mails or other documents that help in a labor dispute: threats, insolence, coercion or even incitement to criminal offenses. This folder also belongs at home.
• distance
  Do not take anything that is not yours. Not even paper clips! This is theft and, in case of doubt, can negotiate a termination without notice or cost you the severance payment. This also applies to access to trade secrets. Try to distance yourself from it as soon as possible. Then nobody can turn a rope for you.

Farewell speech: this is how you say good-bye in perfect form

Farewells are sensitive terrain. Regardless of whether you leave or are left: the farewell speech should never be an occasion to come to terms with insults or to settle accounts with the workforce. A professional farewell speech always contains the following elements and fulfills these tasks:

• The speech documents a responsible departure.
• It is an expression of appreciation and gratitude.
• She shows respect for superiors and colleagues.
• The content of the speech are benevolent memories and a résumé.
• It lists the length of service, important milestones and what you will miss.
• The parting words may also stimulate thought.
• A sweep, a reckoning or negative words are taboo.

A suitable setting is part of a successful farewell speech. The lecture certainly does not work between the door and hinge. It can be a little more solemn. For example with a champagne drink or homemade cake. But the most important rule is: make it short! Nobody likes long goodbyes. If you get sentimental, saying goodbye will only be more difficult. It's not a funeral. You're just changing employers or taking a well-deserved retirement.

Tips for the farewell speech

"So long suckers! I'm out! "(" See you then, you lollipops! I'm out! ") - With these words, former Google employee Jason Shugars took his hat off. You can do it like that. But you shouldn't. Admittedly, a spontaneous farewell speech or impromptu speech is not for everyone. Being in the center and finding the right words - that is difficult for many. But you can't get around that: A confident farewell speech is part of a glamorous resignation. Here are a few tried and tested tips:

• Get personal
  Address your colleagues, even more so the boss, by name and keep eye contact with everyone during the farewell speech. And don't forget to smile! You don't give an eulogy.
• Speak freely
  You do not need a speech manuscript for the short speech. Try to keep the closing speech as clear as possible. Under no circumstances read it. At most, a cheat sheet with key words is allowed. That should not be a problem. The concise closing words shouldn't last longer than five to ten minutes.
• Remain grateful
  Briefly summarize the highlights of your company career so far. Preferably in the form of little anecdotes. Feel free to show small weaknesses. Just don't list any facts - boring! When you say the last few words, don't forget to thank important companions and supporters - colleagues, mentors, bosses.
• Create transition
  Also mention your successor - if you have one. Character heads prove their true greatness by congratulating them and wishing them luck. Please never say anything bad about your successor. You just come across as a bad loser and a cowardly night slave. Even if you walk in anger, humor and appreciation are more memorable than bitterness.
• Conclude pointedly
  The best comes last. End your farewell speech with a bon mot, with an amusing quote or an encouraging outlook - for the remaining (ex) colleagues. Just don't say anything embarrassing - and certainly no self-adulation. Looks sneering. When you finish your farewell speech, you should hear hearty laughter and not see embarrassed faces. Because the cliché is true: You always meet twice in life!

Don't talk badly about ex-employers

Please do not make bad comments about your previous employer in the new job. The only one who looks bad is you. Your new employer may be your ex again at some point. He is aware of that. That's why he doesn't want people to talk about him like that. The boss will therefore avoid blasphemers. Quite a few have not survived the probationary period because of this.

Tips for the last day of work: I was nice to you!

The obligatory farewell party - the walkout - should ideally not be held on the last day. Conversations are often held on the last working day. You should have time for that. It is all the more important to send a professional farewell email or letter to say goodbye to colleagues or customers. It's never all bad. It is therefore part of good manners to emphasize positive aspects and similarities.

Also ask for references or a letter of recommendation. In addition, employees have a statutory right to a job reference. Attention: If you do not ask for it, you are only entitled to a simple certificate. For the application, however, you need a qualified job reference. You should therefore actively ask about it - ideally already in the letter of termination.

This is another reason why you should resign professionally and confidently. Parting on good terms and not doing dirty laundry at the farewell speech not only ensures a good reputation and a good final impression. It also helps indirectly with the job search and serves as a door opener.