The contacts you make at work are your currency. Former colleagues and suppliers can come in very handy for building networks, and may be valuable when you come to look for your next job. Not to mention the need for solid references.

For these reasons, make every effort not to alienate anyone, and stay on good terms with as many people as possible when you leave the company. You never know when you might need them again. Explain why you’re leaving, and keep it as rational and calm as you can, without making derogatory remarks about the company they’re still going to be working for.

People often move jobs within industries or have friends and family at senior positions in other companies. By slacking off or making a bad exit, you could be putting you whole career in jeopardy.

With suppliers, feel free to suggest they’ll be in line to more work off you in the future, once you’ve managed to get to grips with things at your new workplace.

Thanking the right people
Look around you and identify who might be able to help your future career. Make a point of thanking your boss for the opportunities they gave you, and make it clear that you greatly valued your time working with them and the company, whether it’s true or not. Never give anyone an excuse to resent you if you can possibly help it.

Try to talk to other managers and key staff around the company. Let them know that you valued working as part of the team, even if it wasn’t directly with them. There’s no harm in a bit of professional flattery either.

Leaving a clear desk
There’s nothing more certain to undermine your good reputation than leaving your successor with a pile of half-finished business. All your good relationships could be blown away in a moment if you do. Make it your business to tie up all the loose ends and leave your desk tidy and ready for the next occupant.

You’ll make your last few weeks that much more tolerable if you properly finish off what needs to be done, showing everyone how professional you are. If you’re chasing a final bonus payment, staying focussed on you work is even more important.

Creating a handover document
Even if you are sick of the sight of the place and everyone in it, the very least you should do is create a proper job handover document for your successor. This should include details of where important files are kept, passwords, the inside line on supplier or other out-of-office relationships, and any little tricks of the trade that might help the new person. Don’t forget to include important contact phone numbers and email addresses and anything else the may be of use.

Make your handover document as detailed and as long as possible. You never know, your boss may be so shocked about what you know and your value to the company that he will offer you a major pay rise to stay.

Before you leave, don’t brag about where you’re going, how great the new company is or how much you’re going to be earning. Remain humble and respect the feelings of those you are leaving behind. Once you’ve left, never talk badly of your old company or disclose secrets. It may come back to haunt you one day, and your new employer will definitely not respect your indiscretion.