You’re ready for a change. But for all of us it can be difficult to quit your job. You don’t want any misunderstandings, but you also don’t want to destroy any relationships. (You never know what your former colleagues might end up …). Here are some tips to help you quit your job quickly and painlessly.

1. Take Care of Your Decision and Be Sure About It

Everyone who has ever had a job thought that it was enough. It’s been a good job. I’m quitting. It’s tempting to quit after a stressful week or a frustrating annual review with your boss. But it’s important not to rush to make this decision. According to Priscilla Claman, a career coach, you should ask many questions before you reach breaking point.

Consider:

• Am I the right person for this job?
• Am I in the right place?
• Am I well-positioned to pursue the career I desire?

If you have difficulty answering these questions, or are unsure if this is the right decision for you, you can postpone your meeting with your supervisor to discuss ways to improve your work environment without quitting. Is there a project you could propose if you feel bored? Is it worth asking for a change of seat if you are at odds with your coworker? Before you decide to quit, think about the reasons why.

2. First, tell your manager

It doesn’t matter what your feelings are about office gossip. In some cases it can be quite common. Although it may be tempting to tell your cubicle-mate you are going to give notice for two weeks, there is a good chance that your manager will find out about your plans before you can. This is not a good look. Your manager should be the person you tell once you have decided to quit. You can then share your information with others, and you will probably have a conversation with HR at your company.

3. Get your team ready for success

It’s easy to give notice and act, which can make you feel like you have one foot out of the door. It’s still courteous and responsible to make sure that your successor gets the job done as smoothly as possible. Sometimes, you will have your work divided among members of your team. This makes it easier to arrange quick meetings with them to ensure they are ready for their new responsibilities. The career experts at Indeed recommend that you “document your day-today efforts, where your important files are saved, how you use various equipment, and any other information relevant to your job.” This will ensure that the person who replaces you has a smooth transition.”

4. Send a good-bye email

It may not be possible, depending on how big your team is, to say goodbye before the end of your last day. Send the goodbye email. You don’t need to write a lengthy, detailed description of your time at the company. A quick note to say that you enjoyed working with your colleagues, and look forward seeing what they do in the future is sufficient. Be sure to include a note explaining your desire to keep in touch. Also, be sure to share any email you have with anyone else.

5. Do not discredit your old company when you start a new job

Congratulations! You have successfully quit your job and started a new career. Let’s suppose you love the new job and that it is different from your old one. This is great! However, don’t tell your new colleagues about the horrible experience at your old company. We mentioned that you never know who might be interested in your industry or who will end up listening to your rants through the grapevine. Even if your former employer was truly the worst, you should not be able to criticize them to other employers. It won’t pay off in the long-term.