YouTube is full of videos of people quitting their jobs in the most public of ways. Most involve music, many involve some form of dance, and almost all have achieved viral status.
Quitters have become social media heroes. The most recent example of this was multimedia writer and producer Marina Shifrin who created the video: ‘An interpretive dance for my boss set to Kanye West’ to tell her boss, and now 15 million people globally, that she has quit her job.
Uttering the words ‘I resign’ is one of the most powerful moves that a person can make in order to progress a career but the majority of people stuck in unrewarding or miserable jobs can’t bring themselves to do it. So they live vicariously through the actions of a young American woman and others via YouTube.
I can see the attraction of feeling that empowered. There is something wonderfully seductive about the idea of going out large. But, as I commonly tell anyone who will listen, it will undoubtedly be a source of regret some time down the line. It’s the classic example of one moment of exhilaration potentially resulting in a world of pain. It can be far more powerful to leave your job in complete control, with your head and reputation high. Here’s three reasons why, and they are all about reputation.
- Last impressions can leave a lasting impression. Hysterical endings will be remembered as just that, and people talk. I once worked with someone who went postal on the final day, sending the most horrendous of emails to all of her staff, telling them exactly what she thought of them. Showing your emotions as you depart can leave you completely exposed. We still refer to her as ‘the mental one’ and that story has gone viral by word-of-mouth. I favour the elegant exit myself: cool and calm, with all tasks wrapped up and a thorough handover completed.
- Dropping a bomb on the company you have recently departed may inadvertently be a bomb on your career forever more. It sounds like an urban myth but I have had to deal with the aftermath of wiped digital files and sensitive information leaked to a competitor. The problem is that those kinds of acts negatively impact the workload of people who may have previously supported you.
- Most employees, or potential clients if you decide to start your own business, will reference check. The impact of your dramatic resignation will be reduced next week but your career may never recover from your newfound reputation, especially in a small industry. I have found myself commenting on a person’s exit as well as skills and attitude to the job.