8 Nice Things To Do on Your Last Day Of Work (Leave Like a Boss)

Finally, today is the last day of your job. You are feeling pumped and excited about leaving the evil grab of your dreaded boss.

After today, you will be starting a new career, going back to studies, or venturing into a business and being your own boss.

So, what to do on your last day of work before leaving?

The last day of work is both exciting and sometimes nerve-racking.

Whether you are departing on a high note or low note, there are some things you need to do on your last day of work to make a graceful exit.

PS. Get the bonus email for you to use on your last day of work at the end of the article!

Recommendations: How to deal with anxiety about going back to work?

What To Do On Your Last Day Of Work?

Should you moonwalk down the hallway announcing your departure? Telling everyone who pisses you off what you really think of them? Or tell your boss that she is the worst boss ever and you are glad this is your last day?

Absolutely fantastic proposal?

No! Please don’t do any of these.

Here are 8 tips on how to leave on the last day and still leave the window of opportunity open for your future.

1. Leave a Positive Impression That Last

A lasting impression gets a long way, and a positive lasting impression helps you in your career. Whether you left the job voluntarily for a better opportunity or got laid off due to circumstances, keeping a great attitude throughout your last day of work is the key.

Keep away from negativity, or say anything negative about your colleagues, boss, or the company.

No complaining about your job, not face-to-face with soon-to-be ex-colleagues, not by email or phone to a coworker you know, nor through social media such as Facebook or Twitter.

Negativity will only hurt potentially important relationships. Sometimes karma is funny, you will never know if that future boss of yours is an acquaintance of your current boss. The world is a mysterious place.

Your Goal:

“You want to be remembered as someone who is upbeat and a great team-player, someone whom your soon-to-be ex-colleague is proud to be acquaint with at during the journey of their career.”

Tip: Things you say on social media can haunt you for years to come. Be warned!

Recommendations: What to bring on your first day of work?

2. Stay In Touch

Meet up with coworkers whom you will want to keep in contact with after your departure. This is the best time, if not the last time you can easily connect with your peers after you leave the company.

Examples of employees whom you may want to keep in touch with:

• Reporting manager
• Other department managers
• Members of the executive team
• Human resource
• Fellow coworkers

Staying in touch allows you to build more connections with people in your industry which can be crucial depending on your industry.

Being friends as colleagues, or friends outside of your workplace can be very different. Furthermore in the event that you will need a letter of recommendation, staying in touch will definitely help you immensely.

3. Have a final one-on-one with your boss. A.K.A Exit Interview

Talking to your boss might be the last thing you want to do, but this is essential on your last day. Some companies have an exit interview, while others, don’t.

Even when your Human Resources didn’t request an exit interview, no problem. You can arrange a final one-on-one with your boss and thank your boss one last time.

Even if he/she has not been the best boss ever, thanking them for having you on the team goes a long way. After all, you will never know how it could pay off down the road.

You might be surprised, that he might just give you some great advice that helps you in your career.

Recommendations: How to write a resignation letter by email [Examples + Template]

4. Don’t Leave Any Loose Ends 

Ideally, you will have finished up all your projects and documents before your last day of work. But unfortunately, that’s not always the case. You should spend the first few hours of your last day tying up all the loose ends.

You may have a document waiting to be signed, or a project with all the files kept on your desktop. Pass down the information and the things to do to your peers who may follow up with the task.

Consider these action items:

• Compile a full list of all the contacts that your replacement might need for the project.
• List down a detailed list of task and project that requires follow-up.
• Provide an overview of each project and its progress.

This may be your last day, and you may not want to do anything at all.

Our advice…

“Stay professional to the last minute and stay focus and try not to leave project dangling.”

The last thing your ex-colleague and ex-boss wants is to clear up a messy aftermath after your departure.

You want to leave with a good impression right?

5. Clear personal information from your laptop

The last day of work is the time to do the spring cleaning of your laptop. It is time to separate the useful from the trash, the work files from the personal information.

First, transfer all your work documents that can be useful to your team to a shared folder. Remember to let your co-workers know where to find the information.

Then, save to a USB drive or email yourself files that might be useful for your future:

• Pay Slip
• Performance review
• Reference Letter
• Etc.

Take note, you should not bring out any files that is confidential, or file that should not be brought out of the company.

Once you have separated the useful, it is time to throw out the trash.

Well, we know most employees use their office laptops for both work and personal uses. You may have watched the 7 seasons of “Game of Thrones” on the laptop, or have searched for some weird things on Google. But your company doesn’t need to know that.

Solution?

Make your laptop sparking clean from all digital evidence.

What to Clean:

• Trash all your personal documents and empty the trash bin.
• Next, clear out all your browsing history from all your browser.
• Clear out all the temp files from your computer to ensure a nice clean state of your laptop.

Simply, make sure your digital slate on the laptop is wiped clean.

Recommendations: Jobs of the Future Report, Key Takeaways from World Economic Forum

6. Hand Over Possession

With a clean laptop and project all nicely handover to your colleagues, it is time to hand over company possession such as laptops, notebooks, office supplies, or employee passes.

Your company has provided you with the essentials to complete your work. As you are now no longer part of the company, it is only right to return all the items provided by the company.

As a general rule, all items must stay with the company unless you purchase them out of your own personal money or a gift from someone.

Personally, I think being an office pen thief is not a good way to give a lasting impression.

7. Say Your Emotional Goodbyes

You have built an amazing relationship with your coworkers, and now is the time to say bye.

A personal farewell goes a long way in your career. Instead of just sending a mass email to all your colleagues, a personal goodbye to each of your colleagues fares much better.

Pay a compliment to everyone regarding how nice it was to work with them. Thank them for being such a good coworker. And probably build your relationship beyond coworkers but as friends outside of work.

Nice things to do on your last day of work

• Give your coworkers a farewell token as a farewell gift.
• Create a personalized card for each of your colleagues and thank them for their company.
• Send your colleagues personalized emails to thank them for making your time with the company memorable.

A great goodbye can be a great start to a lasting relationship beyond the company.

What to say on your last day of work?

The last day of work can be emotional, but knowing what to say on your last day can help you build long-lasting relationships that can last for years.

Here are 5 best ways to say goodbye to your team at work:

1. Like any great team, you encouraged me and made me better at what we do. Working with you has been a true privilege. Though today is my last working day here, instead of saying goodbye, I’ll look forward to keeping in touch with each of you.
2. Thank you for the amazing time here. During our time working together, you’ve become more of a family than just coworkers. I’ll always cherish our friendships and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you’ve given me. I wish you all the best in your future.
3. Our professional lives are filled with people who come and go. As I move on from here, I hold each of you in my memory, grateful for all the time we’ve spent together. I will miss you and thank you for all you’ve given me.
4. As I leave today, I am overflowing with gratitude. You are a truly amazing group of colleagues and my heart is happy because of the friendships we have made and the work we have done together. Thank you.
5. Starting a new chapter is always challenging, as it begins by ending one. I will miss working with each of you. Thank you for all the help, the laughs, and the time we’ve shared. I will miss you all.

8. Ask for a letter of recommendation from your manager

Perhaps the most important task of all. A recommendation letter from the right person is like an entry ticket to a job.

A strong reference who can help to attest to your work attitude and skills can drive you to success in the hiring process.

A recommendation letter typically has these 5 elements:

1. Introduction and statement of recommendation
2. List of reasons you are recommending them for the position
3. Evidence of their qualities
4. Closing with contact information
5. Signature

Most managers will feel proud to have helped you in your growth in your career.

Let them know a few things that they have done for you and how it helps you in your professional development.

Thank the manager for their directions, and encouragement, and wish them the best as well.

Recommendations: 3 Minutes Rule of Productivity

Sending a Heartfelt Goodbye Email to Coworkers

Before you go, send out one last “goodbye and thank you!” email to all coworkers whom you have been working with. Your boss, your coworkers seating beside you, your vendors with whom you have been working with.

How to write a goodbye email to coworkers?

• First. Share that you are departing the company and have enjoyed the journey in the company. Be professional and positive.
• Next. Provide your personal contact information in the event that they may need your assistance. Be open and approachable.
• Lastly. Thank the company for the opportunity and wishing well for the future of the company. Be appreciative and thankful.

Although a farewell email is not a must, this is a secret that brings success. The secret of leaving with a positive lasting impression on your last day of work.

Up Next…How to write an email to HR to ask for your new job joining date?