Have you ever been in a job that just didn’t seem to go anywhere? You’ve put in the time, done the work, but there’s no room for growth or advancement. After a few years, you finally land a new opportunity elsewhere, and now you’re faced with a tough decision: Do you leave your current job on good terms, or do you just walk away without notice?
In this post, I’m diving into the topic of burning bridges in IT. Should you do it, or is it better to leave on a high note? Spoiler alert: It’s almost always better to keep those bridges intact.
“The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.” - Ryan Holiday
My Experience
Let me share a story from when I was about 25. I was working at a well-known call center—if you’ve followed me for a while, you’ve probably heard me mention it. To be honest, I hated that job. The 10-hour weekend shifts were brutal, and I just wasn’t cut out for the call center life.
I started in a training class with 25 to 30 people, but after two months, there were only about 10 of us left. I didn’t plan to quit that day, but I remember pulling into the parking lot, staring at the building in my rearview mirror, and dreading clocking in. That’s when I made the call to quit. I backed out of that parking space and headed back to my sister’s house where I was staying at the time.
Do I regret it? Sometimes. The biggest lesson I learned was that by leaving without notice, I effectively closed the door on ever going back if I needed to. It took me a couple of months to find another job, and during that time, I realized just how costly burning a bridge can be.
The Consequences of Burning Bridges
Burning a bridge doesn’t just apply to jobs—it can also happen with professional relationships. If you sever ties with someone in your network, you lose a valuable reference. As you start applying for new roles, having someone who can vouch for your work ethic and skills is crucial.
Another consequence of burning bridges with a job is that it makes it almost impossible to return if things don’t work out. Trust me, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. I’ve seen plenty of people leave only to come back a month or two later, realizing they made a mistake.
But the consequence that matters most to me is your reputation—your "WORD". Once you start burning bridges, word gets around fast. This can follow you throughout your career, making it harder to move up or even get hired at a new job, especially if someone at the new place knows about your past actions.
How to Leave on Good Terms
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned the value of leaving on good terms. Giving notice is a simple but powerful gesture. Typically, a two-week notice is standard, though it might vary depending on your position. This helps your employer plan for your departure, especially if you’re in a role that’s not easy to fill.
When it comes to explaining why you’re leaving, I believe in being upfront. Most of the time, it’s about money, and being honest about that can go a long way in maintaining a good relationship.
I also try to stay in touch with people I met on the job. Sometimes it’s because we genuinely became friends, but even if you’re not close, maintaining those connections can be beneficial. You never know when one of them might move on to a new opportunity and pull you in because of your skills.
The Unavoidable
Of course, there are situations where burning a bridge might be unavoidable. Sometimes the job environment is just too toxic, the stress is too much, or the circumstances make it impossible to stay. In those cases, you have to prioritize your well-being. Just remember, even in those situations, try to leave as professionally as possible.
My Thoughts
If you’re thinking about burning a bridge, I hope this post gives you some perspective on the consequences and how to handle your departure. Have you ever burned a bridge? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
