I'm switching career paths, in about 6 weeks (as soon as fiance gets security clearance). I've worked for my present boss for the 2 years since I've been out of school, and he's really taken me under his wing- I'm actually working for him at a second company, having changed companies with him. We have a friendship, in that we'll go out and get bombed with another guy from work quite often, etc. He doesn't know that I've been looking for another job. The new job is basically exactly what I've wanted to do, and both my fiance and I got the job (different departments, don't worry).

I am leaning towards giving him a month's notice, since I'm in the middle of a project for a client is sheduled for completion a few weeks after I would be starting my new job, so that he has plenty of time to get a new resource up to speed. I don't think he'll say, "forget about the notice, just go ahead and make today your last day", but even if he did, I could just move on out to the new job and await my fiance. Is there any downside to giving additional notice?

One other item of note, I planned/need to go to Pittsburgh for a week to house hunt between now and my start date, so I'll need to take a week of my vacation to do so- does this change your advice about giving additional notice?

one more thing- Kinda sucks to have to quite a job when you have such a good relationship with your boss.

 

House hunting or not, I'm sure your boss would appreciate the advance notice.

 

everybody understands that no matter how close a friendship it is, nobody makes a lifetime commitment to a particular job. that said, this is definitely one bridge you never want to burn, and I would definitely give the 1-month notice and put in 110% to train your replacement. show your boss through your actions that you are commited to having this transition be as seamless as possible, with the least amount of impact on his business.

you never know what might happen down the road, so having a place of employment to fall back on is a truly valuable asset to have.

good luck in your new career.

 

to bay area members

 

Its better to give 1-month notice for professional jobs that actually require skill and education since it will take a bit longer to find a replacement with equal abilities.

 

If your boss is a good friend (or even just a good boss), he'll understand that you always have to do what you feel is best for your career. If you give him plenty of advance notice and do as much as you can to keep your departure from screwing him over, you'll maintain the friendship and the business relationship.

 

When I left my last job after 10 years I called my boss and told him that I was leaving in a month. He tried to talk me out of it and then asked me if I would help him out by staying 3 months and presenting a 10-hour seminar at our annual national meeting to over 200 managers. Since I was leaving to go into business for myself I readily agreed to stay and help.

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