When you finally land the career opportunity you’ve been chasing, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement, but how you leave will matter to you and your club. Here’s how to do it right.

You had the one-to-one interview and the cooking interview. Now have a great offer you’ve negotiated to be exactly what you want. You are good to go and only need to resign with the appropriate notice.

This is a much easier step if you disclosed that you were looking for a new opportunity. Your supervisor knows and is ready to let you go. You should already know the expectation and what to do. If you are fortunate and have someone in place that you have been training for such a situation, then great. If not, it is time to talk with the manager or chef about your replacement and what you can do to help.

Your club will need you and want you to stay as long as possible to help with the transition.

When you negotiate your resignation, you need to clear several things on your end. Remember, all these are negotiation points and should be discussed in your meeting.

• When will your last day be
• Will you be getting paid for vacation or pending PTO
• Are you working full-time for the rest of your time
• When are you moving and how much time do you need
• Will there be a counteroffer

Your current club will expect you to be as involved as you have been before your resignation, and you should be. In the end, this is still your job. If you don’t have an obvious substitute, you must ensure the club is in good shape after you depart. It is part of your responsibility regardless of the conditions of your departure.

Remember, your exit needs to be as big as your entrance was. Finish strong.

Negotiating Your Last Day

Your last day will depend on where you are going. My last move was from Connecticut to Texas. I had to pack and sell a house (repair, stage, etc.) while also looking for a place to live and a new school for my child.

Depending on the time of the year or what is on the calendar, your current club may want you to fulfill some dates or complete some events (a large wedding or club event). At the same time, your new employer may need you to come to work ASAP to fill the role. Your options vary widely.

Some options to consider are: Can you work intermittently for both, spend a few days or weeks with your new employer and come back to wrap it up afterward? Do you pick a reasonable date and then move on? What is in the calendar they need you for, both your current and new employer?

Consider how much time you need in between. You have to pack, move, and then unpack. Whatever you think, add one extra week for all those things you did not consider and time to settle in. It would be best if you were refreshed and ready to start the new job when you go in for that first day.

You may need to find a place to live and a school if you have kids. It takes time—more than you think it will.

When was your last vacation? Can or will you be taking time off in between? Based on my own personal experience, I suggest you take that time off and schedule time off in between.

Your Pay

When you negotiate your last day, discuss your final compensation and how it will be handled. Ask the question and get an answer. Leave no room for interpretation. Do you have pending PTO, and are you forfeiting it by resigning? Are you getting paid for it? Can you use it before your last day? Some employers will pay your PTO regardless. Some will not pay for it. Can you work shorter weeks and take PTO days to help you pack and get organized? Can you take some time off before you finish or in between jobs?

Do the math on the actual financial impact of your new rate of pay. Many online resources can give you a detailed paycheck with your new rate. You most likely got a significant pay raise, which can greatly impact you. Calculate the financial impact of every week you stay. Knowing this number will help you make a better decision. In addition, the new location might offer you better living conditions with a lower cost of living. Check into all of this before making the final decision.

Insurance and Benefits

For most managerial positions, the new benefits start immediately. In some cases, there is a wait time. You will be offered COBRA.  Ask about the cost of it from your current employer. This may be a point you need to negotiate with your new employer. Are they covering it? Are you paying for it out of pocket? Do you need temporary insurance?

Check your 401K or retirement plan and reach out to the account manager. Ask if you can leave it behind and for how long. Are there fees attached to it? Do you need to roll it over or transfer it? There may be tax implications that can become very costly to you.

Your Moving Allowance

Ask questions, and then ask more. The relocation allowance is for you to pay for the movers and moving truck, travel, incidentals, airfare, and hotel or housing while you find a place to live.

Again, this takes time. If you are going cross country, it may take 2 weeks for your belongings to arrive. We ended up living in a hotel for 5 weeks. Where are you going to sleep? Can you use the money for the temporary rent? Can you rent an Airbnb? Can you pay for a rental car? Do you need to itemize all the money spent and bring receipts? Do you need to give them several estimates for movers? Will they give you an allowance to use at your own discretion?

Make sure this is all clear. If you are offered a 10K moving allowance but have not sold your house, can you use the unspent money for the mortgage or rent payment in your new city? Think outside the box, call people that have moved, and ask these questions. Every club does it differently.

Settling In

It is hard to find a place to live in a new city remotely. I have one child, and we were settled in a specific school district. My son uses a wheelchair, so when looking for houses, we needed a ranch, limiting our options. In 2019 the market favored us. There was a lot of inventory to choose from. Forward two years, and houses are selling for over the asking price. There is no inventory and limited choices. How have you prepared for this? Can or should you buy before you sell?

Research the schools, cost of living, and commute. Many clubs are in very expensive neighborhoods. Can you afford to live close, or will you drive hours or be in traffic to and from work?

On a final note, moving for a new job is exciting, but it takes time to fine-tune the details, learn the ropes and understand the new city. You will have a new crew and need to adapt to them and the new club culture and understand the quirks and nuances of the new area. What worked in your previous place may not work at the new place. Try to settle as much as possible before you leave so you don’t have to juggle too many balls while adapting to a new job, city, and family.