Some just want to draw a clean line, others want to be remembered. A few last words to the colleagues, the boss or the entire department can help: professional, short, not too pathetic.
"Industrial relationships don't have to end just because you change jobs or give up," says Alexandra Gilde, managing director of the staff consultancy "Stg". "If you want to leave a good last impression and maintain contacts, you should say goodbye accordingly." Who should the last email be addressed to, what is in the subject - and what should you leave off? The most important things at a glance:
1. The right time
Personal farewells, handover of the computer, final discussion : If you do not want to be pressed for time on the last day, you should start preparing the e-mail for parting a few days beforehand : When do you have to hand in the computer and send the e-mail at the latest? Who do you want to send the message to, how should it be written accordingly? Gilde's tip: "If you are not sure about the correct wording and do not want to write anything rash, you should have the text proofread in good time by a neutral person - especially if you are going under difficult conditions." Spelling, grammar or punctuation should also be checked thoroughly before sending the message.
When the right time is right for this also depends on the actual destination: For example, a goodbye email can be sent well on the morning of the last day. However, if you are planning a last drink, you should point this out a few days in advance so that your colleagues can also schedule the appointment.
2. How to spell the email
"The principle with large distributors is that the shorter and shorter the better, " advises expert Gilde. If you want to say goodbye to an individual colleague with an anecdote or thank you for a project, you can still be more specific - or exchange ideas one last time.
What the email should contain at least: the occasion, thanks to the colleagues and your own contact details. For example, you could write: " Today my work in project XY / in this company ends. Therefore I would like to thank you for the good cooperation. I would be happy to keep in touch with you via YX - and wish you all a successful project completion. "
Gildes tip regarding the contact details: "In a large, rather impersonal mailing list, I would do without the cell phone number or private email address and only save the profiles from social networks, for example common job portals such as LinkedIn or Xing." The subject should summarize the key message of the email: "Farewell" or "Thank you for the cooperation" could be there, for example.
3. What better to avoid
Subject: What I wanted to say. Those who leave the company under difficult conditions should not use the last email to settle accounts with the company or to correct everything in the event of a conflict . "Righteousness destroys contacts and testifies to helplessness rather than that it could change something - even if you feel treated unfairly," says Gilde. You should also avoid you messages and subsequent assessments in more personal emails.
Also better to avoid: refer to the new employer in the large mailing list. The former colleagues already have the contact details - and can, if necessary, follow what is going on professionally.
4. Can I also say goodbye to customers?
Only if you have coordinated it with your superiors beforehand. However, according to expert Gilde, the following basically applies: "You should say goodbye to everyone who was important in the work environment - including the customers." You should be informed in good time that you are leaving the company and who is now responsible. But you should write another email - in consultation with the successor and the boss . This ensures a clean handover and does not write anything that could subsequently have a negative impact on the company.
