Good Endings Make Good Beginnings: Why You Need a Career Exit Strategy

We spend a lot of time thinking about beginnings in our careers.

How do I find the right job? How should I position myself? What’s the best way to prepare for the interview? And how do I make a great impression when I start?

But there’s another part of career transition that doesn’t get nearly enough attention:

How do you make a good ending?

I recently wrapped up a coaching engagement with a client, and as we completed the Job Search phase of our work, we discussed an important part of my Job Search workbook: Your Exit Strategy.

Celebrate the milestones—and thank the people who helped you get there.

An exit strategy isn’t just about resigning gracefully or cleaning out your desk. Instead, it’s about intentionally closing one chapter so you’re prepared—professionally and personally—for the next one.

Here are a few questions I encourage my clients to consider.

What will it take to make a good ending where I am?

Before you rush toward what’s next, consider what you need to complete.

Are there projects you want to finish? People you want to thank? Perhaps there are loose ends you want to tie up or accomplishments you haven’t taken the time to acknowledge.

After all, how you leave something matters.

Which relationships do I want to maintain?

Your network isn’t just something you build when you need a job.

Think about the people you’ve worked with, learned from, helped and enjoyed knowing. Who do you want to remain part of your professional—and perhaps personal—life?

Most importantly, don’t wait until six months after you’ve left to think about those relationships.

What recommendations do I want to get—and give?

A transition is a natural time to capture how others experienced working with you.

Ask for LinkedIn recommendations or testimonials while your contributions are still fresh. At the same time, don’t just ask—give recommendations too.

Recognize the people who made a difference in your career.

What will best set the stage for success in my next chapter?

A good ending isn’t only about looking backward. It’s also about creating a bridge to what’s next.

Consider what you want to carry forward and what you’d like to do differently.

Which relationships do you want to build?

And what habits or mindset will help you stay the course when the excitement of a new beginning wears off?

And one more question: How will you celebrate?

We don’t do enough of this.

We’re often so focused on getting to the next goal that we barely acknowledge the one we just reached.

Celebrate the progress.

Take time to appreciate what you learned.

And celebrate the risks you took, the relationships you built, the confidence you gained and even the things that didn’t work—because they taught you something too.

As I was thinking about this idea of good endings, I came across this photo from my first book signing. The wonderful bookstore that hosted it has since closed, but I remain so grateful for the beautiful space they provided and for the community that came out to support me and the message of doing work you love.

It reminded me that an ending doesn’t erase what came before it.

We can celebrate what something gave us, carry the best of it forward, and still make room for what’s next.

So, whether you’re leaving a job, relocating to a new place, completing a job search, finishing a major project, or moving into a new phase of your career, don’t rush through the ending.

Take stock. Capture the lessons. Thank the people who helped you. Nurture the relationships you want to keep. Decide what you’re taking with you. Make a plan for what’s next.

And celebrate!!!

Because a thoughtful exit strategy doesn’t just help you finish well.

Good endings make good beginnings.