Most of us will transition out of a job for a new opportunity in our lifetime. Creating a checklist can make the transition smoother for you and your soon-to-be former employer.

Thinking ahead about how you’ll communicate your departure, return company-related belongings, address employer-sponsored benefits, and find closure can help you move confidently into your next chapter. 

Leaving on good terms can help protect professional relationships and expand your network. Taking time to express gratitude and maintain connections can benefit your career long after you’ve moved on.

Leaving a job is no longer unusual—and is increasingly becoming a strategic step forward in one’s career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), on average, 3.2 million U.S. workers have voluntarily left their jobs since July 2025.¹ However, quitting a job is a highly personal decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It often requires soul searching, planning, and follow-through. Once you’ve made the big decision to leave—or are close to making it—it’s essential to have a checklist ready to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your soon-to-be former employer.

So, whether you're considering quitting your job, know someone who is, or want to learn more about transitioning out of a job, this article is for you.

Checklist item 1: plan your departure and communication

When preparing for your resignation, it's essential to take the following steps:

• Review and familiarize yourself with your employer’s employee handbook, policies, and procedures related to resignations. 
• Provide at least two weeks’ notice of your departure—or more, if requested by your employer.
• Along with writing a formal resignation letter or email, consider how you’ll communicate the news. It’s advisable to speak with your manager and HR department first before notifying your colleagues, as they may have a preferred process for sharing your departure.
• Offer to create a transition plan for your assignments—and offer to assist with training or handoff tasks. 
• If requested, participate in an exit interview. This is an opportunity to share your experience, express appreciation, and ask final questions.

Checklist item 2: consider company property and your personal belongings

• Company computer files. You may need to clean up your company’s computer files. It’s best to seek instruction from your employer about if and how to accomplish this to ensure records are appropriately retained.
• Personal effects. If you work onsite and have brought in personal items—such as family photos—you may want to retrieve them before you give notice. Some employers may ask you to stay for the entire two-week notice period. However, if you're going to work for a competitor, they may request that you leave immediately and give you two weeks' notice.

Checklist item 3: leave on good terms

Farewell parties and gatherings make a significant difference for those leaving and those staying. Work friendships can last well beyond the job itself. Having a celebration can generate goodwill, whether in-person or through video conference. If your employer doesn’t arrange a farewell event, consider inviting your closest colleagues for coffee or hosting a gathering on your own. It can bring closure and strengthen the friendships that you want to maintain.

Checklist item 4: address employer-sponsored benefits

• Paid time off or vacation days. Unused vacation days must be compensated by most employers upon your departure, which is typically reflected in your final paycheck or a separate check.
• Health insurance. Research your options carefully based on your situation. You may qualify for up to 18 months of COBRA coverage, buy a new plan through the Marketplace (HealthCare.gov), or enroll in your new employer’s plan.2
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). HSAs are portable. You may be able to keep your HSA balance with your current provider or roll it over to a new one.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). FSAs have different rules from HSAs. Depending on your FSA type, you may face a "use it or lose it" situation, so ensure you spend the balance before leaving.

• Keep your 401(k) savings with your former employer, if permitted.
• Roll the savings over into an individual retirement account (IRA).
• Roll the savings over into your new employer’s 401(k), if they have one and it’s allowable.
• Cash out the account and be subject to income taxes and a possible 10% penalty if you are under the age of 59½—not recommended.³

Checklist item 5: finalize administrative details  

Plan for a smooth transition

Leaving a job is an opportunity to close one chapter gracefully and start another with confidence. Before you submit your notice, take a few moments to create your own transition checklist. Planning can help you protect your professional reputation, maintain valuable connections, and start your next role with peace of mind.

1. “Quits rates were 2.5 percent or higher in 6 states in July 2025.” TED: The Economics Daily, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, November 18, 2025. https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2025/quits-rates-were-2-5-percent-or-higher-in-6-states-in-july-2025.htm
2. “See Your Options If You Lose Job-Based Health Insurance.” Healthcare.Gov, https://www.healthcare.gov/have-job-based-coverage/if-you-lose-job-based-coverage/
3. “Retirement topics: Termination of employment.” Internal Revenue Service, https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-termination-of-employment