The Career-Boosting Way to Quit Your PM Job

We’ve all daydreamed about what it would feel like to leave our jobs. In our heads, it seems easy—just march into your boss’s office, say “I quit!,” and walk away. But in reality? Leaving a job is never that simple.

Even when you’re ready to move on, quitting can stir up a mix of emotions—excitement, relief, maybe even a little guilt or uncertainty. And if the departure isn’t on your terms (hello, layoffs), those feelings can hit even harder.

Now, add the complexity of quitting as a project manager. Projects you’ve been steering are suddenly floating mid-air with no clear landing. If there’s no transition plan, your team is left scrambling—and your departure feels more like a disaster than a bittersweet goodbye.

But quitting doesn’t have to mean chaos or burning bridges. I’ve found that with a little planning, you can leave on your own terms—feeling empowered and aligned with your values, no matter the circumstances.

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Even if you’re not planning to quit anytime soon, the best time to prepare for an exit is long before you give notice. Honestly? I’d argue it starts on day one of a new job (so keep these tips in mind for your next role). 

As a PM who’s navigated my fair share of exits, here’s my advice for leaving well.

Create a Transition Plan

Leaving a job isn’t just about packing up your desk (or logging out of Slack for the last time). If you want to quit on good terms, you need to create a transition plan. Without one, your departure could leave your projects in limbo and create unnecessary stress for everyone involved. A little planning now will make a huge difference.

Outline Your Responsibilities

You know your role better than anyone. Sure, your boss might have your job description on file, but we all know that a project manager’s job is never fully captured in a JD.

So before you leave, create a document outlining everything you do, along with a recommended course of action for takeover of those responsibilities. Should certain tasks be handed off to a colleague? Are there any that can (or should) be phased out entirely?

Document Processes 

We’re all guilty of creating ways of working that only we know about. It's important to document your processes, especially for the tasks you plan on passing off to a colleague.

Using the document you created to outline your responsibilities, look for the ones that have clear processes. Then, create step-by-step guides for the ones you know will need to be completed after you leave. There are great tools that can help with this process, including Scribe or Loom for video SOPs.

Author's Tip: Start Now

Ideally, you shouldn’t wait until your departure to make sure all of your processes are documented. When starting your next role, try to document processes as they’re created. Even a simple outline housed in a central location can help ease the burden of a future transition. It can also be helpful to assess quarterly/annually if there is any information that is not documented and put that into the plan of work.

Identify Potential Risks 

Like any transition, leaving your company comes with risks—especially for the projects you’re leaving behind. Think through what could go sideways in the immediate future, and document those risks so your team knows what to watch for and how to handle them.

A few examples of the kinds of risks you might want to document: 

• Project Z is currently behind schedule and has been prioritized in the next sprint. Please continue to push for those deadlines to be met to get back on track. 
• Client M was recently frustrated by the volume of bugs on the dev site, so please ensure a thorough QA for the next iteration. 
• We need the new client to schedule a Kick Off in the next week to be able to fit the project in alongside other client work. 

Clean Up Your Files

File management is one of those things that’s easy to let slide when you’re in the thick of project work. But before you leave, take a little time to clean things up. Organize folders, double-check that key documents are accessible, and make sure everything is labeled in a way that makes sense (no more final_v3_revised_FINAL).

Some things to iron out before your last day:

• Make sure the right people have access to key files. You don’t want your team locked out of important docs.
• If there are specific naming conventions or folder structures you’ve used, document them so others can keep things consistent.
• If certain files or systems require extra context, leave a quick note or create a simple guide to help your team navigate them.

Author's Tip: Start Now

File management should be a regular activity, but having a quarterly/annual clean-up can go a long way!

Gather Data & Wins

When you’re leaving a job, it’s easy to get caught up in making sure your team is set up for success—but don’t forget to look out for yourself, too. Before you go, you should take some time to gather proof of your wins.

Why bother? Well, once you’re out the door, it’s going to be way harder to track down these details. That project you turned around, the process you streamlined, the client who raved about working with you—you’ll forget the details quickly. And when you’re updating your resume, negotiating a raise, or prepping for interviews, having solid numbers and real examples will make all the difference.

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Track Your Metrics

Numbers matter, and concrete results can make or break your resume and future job applications. So take time to document the key metrics that highlight your impact:

• Total number of projects you worked on (including duration of time, budget, etc.) 
• Total amount of revenue that you managed 
• Amount of revenue accrued from your clients taking on additional work 
• Profit margins for your projects 
• Processes you implemented that saved time or reduced costs

Author's Tip: Start Now

In your next role, keep a running document of your wins from the start. Not only will this help with job applications later, but it also makes performance reviews so much easier. (Pro tip: drop your doc into ChatGPT for a quick quarterly or annual summary.)

Save Your Praise

Client kudos, manager recognition, and peer appreciation are valuable testimonials of your work. Making sure you've captured them before your last day can help when you need references or want to request LinkedIn recommendations later. Here’s how:

• Forward emails with positive feedback to your personal email address, or create a folder to house screenshots
• Don’t forget to copy and paste any shoutouts from Slack, Teams, or chat tools into a doc
• If someone gives verbal praise during your final meetings, jot it down in a private note so you don’t forget

Author's Tip: Start Now

With your new role, get in the habit of saving positive feedback as it comes in. Later, you can use it to build a compelling case for a raise or promotion. Just be sure to follow company guidelines before using anything publicly.

Download Portfolio Pieces (If Allowed)

If you’ve worked on public-facing projects, now’s the time to save anything that could help showcase your experience down the road. Whether it’s links to final deliverables, screenshots of dashboards you built, or case studies highlighting your work, having these on hand can make updating your resume or portfolio way easier.

Just make sure to double-check with your company and clients before saving anything. Some materials might be confidential, and the last thing you want is to violate company policies on your way out. Here are a few things you should save if you can:

• Final reports or presentations you created
• Case studies summarizing project outcomes
• Public-facing assets (blog posts, marketing materials, UX/UI designs, etc.)
• Screenshots of dashboards, workflows, or tools you built or optimized
• Templates, playbooks, or frameworks you created
• Data visualizations showcasing project success
• Training materials or guides you created

Acknowledge Your Colleagues  

While you're busy wrapping up projects and handing off responsibilities, you can't forget the people. No matter how ready you are to move on, quitting is going to create a little extra work for your team in the short term. So taking a moment to say thank you and recognize the folks who made your time there better can go a long way.

Say Thank You

If there are coworkers who have supported you, collaborated with you, or made your workdays more enjoyable, say thanks! A little appreciation can help smooth the transition, and leave a good lasting impression. Some ideas:

• Give a small thank-you gift, like a coffee gift card, to those who might have a rough few weeks after you leave
• Set up coffee or lunch dates (virtual or in person) with the colleagues you'll miss the most
• Have flowers or a handwritten note delivered to a great manager on your last day or the Monday after you leave

Give Praise

If you’ve had the privilege of working with amazing colleagues, make sure their efforts don’t go unnoticed. A little recognition can be a meaningful parting gift—especially if your departure falls outside of a formal review period. A few ways to get this right:

• Submit positive feedback through your company’s internal recognition system (if they have one)
• Email their manager with specific praise about their contributions
• Leave a thoughtful LinkedIn recommendation

Author's Tip: Start Now

This is another one where you don’t want to wait until the last minute. While we often give feedback at annual or mid-year reviews, it is helpful to provide that feedback in real time since you can add a lot more context/detail rather than trying to remember months later.

Keep Feedback Constructive

Not everything about your job may have been perfect, and if you have feedback to share, it’s okay to be honest—but avoid turning it into a vent session. Burning bridges doesn’t help anyone, and you never know when you might cross paths with former colleagues again. The best approach for sharing constructive feedback:

• If your company has an exit interview, use that as a space to provide thoughtful feedback
• Focus on improvements that could help your former team move forward
• Keep it professional—share observations, not complaints

Stay in Touch 

Just because you’re leaving a job doesn’t mean you have to lose touch with the people you worked with. Past colleagues and clients are often great resources to find jobs in the future. A little effort now can keep those relationships strong long after your last day. Here’s how:

Connect on LinkedIn

Before you go, make sure you’re connected with colleagues, clients, and anyone else you want to stay in touch with on LinkedIn. If you worked closely with someone and had a great experience, take a few minutes to write them a LinkedIn recommendation. And don't be afraid to ask for one in return. There's no time limit on this, but it can be more natural to get those invites out around the time of your departure.

Say Goodbye

A well-crafted goodbye email or Slack message is a great way to wrap things up on a positive note. Keep it short and appreciative. Make sure to include a quick thank you to your team, a highlight or two from your time at the company (a project, a memory, or what you learned), and your contact info or LinkedIn if you want to stay in touch. Here are a few example emails to get you started.

Short & Sweet Goodbye Email

Client Hand-off Email

Personal Goodbye Email

Keep the Door Open

Your next opportunity could come from a past colleague or client. I’ve seen it happen so many times—former coworkers becoming hiring managers, old clients reaching out with freelance work, or connections leading to unexpected job offers. A few examples from my own life: 

• Two of my jobs have come from prior colleagues joining those companies and referring me
• One job came from a prior client hiring me in-house 
• Contract work has come from a prior vendor
• I have connected prior colleagues at different companies to work together 
• I have referred a prior colleague for a role within my company and she took the job
• I have maintained 10+ years of friendships with colleagues from previous companies

Some ways to keep relationships alive:

• Comment on or share their LinkedIn posts
• Send a quick message to check in once in a while—especially if you see a work anniversary or promotion
• If you’re at an industry event, see if any former colleagues will be there and catch up in person

Embrace The Emotions

When you have a new role lined up—especially one you’re excited about—it’s easy to want to focus on what is next. But even when you’re ready to leave a company, there are mixed emotions. You’re not just walking away from a job—you’re leaving behind projects you were personally invested in, colleagues you built relationships with, and the routines that made up your daily life.

I’ve personally been surprised by the emotions that come up during job transitions. More than once, I’ve found myself unexpectedly sad about leaving work environments that, if I’m being honest, weren't even that great. But after going through it a few times, I’ve realized that processing those emotions—rather than pushing them aside—actually makes the transition smoother.

So if you’re feeling a little all over the place as you prepare to leave, here are a few ways to navigate it.

Take a Moment

The "I'm leaving" conversation with your manager is a big one. Even if everything goes smoothly, it can still feel really emotionally charged. There's relief, nerves, excitement—even guilt in some cases.

After the conversation, give yourself a moment to process it before diving back into work. Grab a coffee with a work friend, take a short walk, or step outside for some fresh air before jumping into your next meeting.

Acknowledge the Mixed Emotions

Even if you can’t wait to leave your role, it’s okay to feel a little sad, nostalgic, or uncertain. You’ve spent a chunk of your life in this role, and transitions—no matter how positive—come with emotional weight.

Write down what you’re grateful for from this job (yes, even if you hated it). Even the worst roles have a silver lining. Maybe it was a skill you gained, a colleague who became a friend, or a project that helped you grow. Shift your focus to what you’re taking with you instead of what you're leaving behind.

Prepare For Your Last Day

Goodbyes are the worst. So have something fun planned that will help the day feel more like a celebration instead of just another workday that happens to be your last. Plan a happy hour with colleagues, a dinner out with family, or even a solo treat—like lunch one last time at your favorite spot.

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