In case this is your first full-time job, let me tell you. A notice period is a duration that starts from the moment an employee drops their resignation letter to the last day of their work. A notice period is provided to finish off any leftover projects, and other works, and for knowledge transfer. A two-week to a month-long notice period is the most common one. The range of these notice periods varies from 15 days to up to 3 months.  It is generally mentioned in your employment contract and is necessary to be performed professionally. In case of any confusion, you can anytime, check it in your agreement.

Here are a bunch of things you need to do during your notice period:

• Communicate With Your Boss First:

This is the most important step and thus should be prioritized. Speak to your boss decently, and inform him about your decision. They might ask you why you are resigning, tell them politely, whatever it is. This step makes a room for him to ponder over your decision and think about the very next step and whether or not to place a counteroffer. If they forget to mention how it should be informed to others, ask the same yourself. 

• Work Professionally:

These being your last working days don’t make them any less professional. Do your work constantly, gracefully, and with focus. No matter how many months or years you’ve served your office, these last days will play a great role in defining your reputation there. Behave well. In case of too much workload, try speaking to your manager or boss and asking them to reduce it a little. 

• Knowledge Transfer:

Some of your left projects might be those of long term thus, it might not be possible for you to complete all of them. For this purpose, plan a meeting with your replacement, and let them know you’re leaving and that’s why they need to take over the role and responsibilities. Transfer all the information related to the work, introduce the person to the teammates, and tell him to take their help in any confusion or problem. Also, it might be helpful to tell him how you managed this position until now and how you used to complete these projects on time. Moreover, do motivate him for the same. 

• Pack Up With All The Documents & Finances:

Kindly get a no-dues and clearance certificate before you leave. Transfer any important files you had there to your computer, log out any of your mails, for you obviously will not have any access to your desk later. Calculate all your finances such as salary, PF, and any applied bonus, and do all your final settlements before leaving.

• Thank Them & Bid Them Farewell:

Last but not least. Amidst all the ups & downs, pressure & completion of targets, hustle & achievement of deadlines, it has quite been a journey. Show gratitude to your colleagues, teammates, seniors, and your boss. You can prepare a little farewell speech in case things get formal. Remember there’s no need to shut the doors behind you. Leave on a good note, stay in touch with them, and dump all the bad memories in the trash, paths can be crossed again anytime you never know.

You can also ask your supervisor, HR, or manager to write a LOR or an experience letter for you, as it will create a very good impression when applying for a new role. 

Well, your work doesn’t end here, it has just started. You may or may not have a job offer just yet. You may be unemployed for some time, but don’t get demotivated, it hardly takes a day or two to get a fine job these days. Apply for the role in the company you planned to, or even if you haven’t then do it now! Plan it and get it! There are so many apps these days through which you can easily bag a good job offer, then what’s there to think about? Let’s get started.