June 22, 2025

New professional opportunities are exciting. You’re about to embark on a new journey, hopefully with greater prospects than the role you will leave behind. But transitions can be hard, especially juggling the relationships with your soon-to-be old company. When you’ve signed the offer letter for your next role, there’s a natural temptation to give notice at the last possible second. Maybe you want to avoid an awkward conversation with your current leadership, or you just want to avoid any conflict.

It leads many people to give the minimum notice time they need to when they finally share the news. But the best time to tell your boss you’re leaving is as soon as the ink is dry on your new offer.

Transparency matters

Don’t let nerves around an awkward conversation tarnish the reputation and relationships you built with your current company. Remember, people change jobs. It happens all the time. Research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the average worker changes jobs every 4.1 years (2024 data). Don’t take a normal part of a career and turn it into a smudge on everything you built at your current company.

Why You Should Give Notice Early

Telling your boss right away shows respect. It allows them to plan for your replacement, reorganize team responsibilities, and communicate with clients or partners. Most importantly, it leaves them with a lasting impression that you’re more than a high performer. You’re a professional who values the team, even on your way out.

If you want to be world-class, map out the transition and deliver it with your notice. Put yourself in your bosses’ shoes and do the planning before you give your notice. It can sound like this: “I’m leaving to go to a new company. I know it will affect you and my team, but I have a plan to minimize the friction during my transition. Can I share it with you?” Contemplate the variables and provide multiple ideas and solutions. In doing so, you get the added perk of focusing the attention on what’s happening next instead of dwelling on your departure.

Here’s how to move on with grace:

Give ample notice. Two weeks is standard in many industries, but leadership roles may require more time. Often it’s one to six months for higher-level positions.
Offer to train your replacement. A 2022 CareerBuilder study found that 54% of workers said they trained their replacements before leaving. It’s a small investment that pays dividends in goodwill, can boost your legacy at the company, and will build your reputation.
Support the hiring process. If you know someone good for the role, help to fill it. People will never forget someone who introduces them to their spouse or helps them get a job. Plus, your current connections will
Ask, “How can I make this transition as smooth as possible?” Showing empathy for the people who will find your replacement, backfill your responsibilities in the meantime, and maybe miss your camaraderie (since you’re a high-achiever) will cement you as someone worth recommending in the future.

Think Long-Term

Your current boss might be your reference tomorrow. A former coworker might become a client. You might be their leader down the road. Don’t forget, your brand new role likely won’t be your last, either. Every bridge you build (or burn) can affect your future career opportunities, especially given 85% of roles get filled through personal connection.

Don’t forget this Maya Angelou quote:

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”