How to Keep Your Client Relationships Strong When Leaving Your Job

It is inevitable, at some point in your career you will find yourself moving to a different company. You have spent hours, weeks, months and years building strong client relationships, but now what? Not only is it challenging for you to make the transition to a new job, but take a moment and think of the challenges that your clients are going to face when a new person is brought into your position. The more you can do to help your clients through the transition the more your client is going to remember you and perhaps seek you out in your new position.

A few tips to keep in mind when leaving your job:

Alert your clients to the change. - Send a letter, email or place a telephone call to your clients letting them know of your upcoming departure. Let them know that you have enjoyed working with them and how much you have appreciated their business. Ensure them the transition will be as smooth as possible and you are there for them until your departure date.

Introduce your replacement. Whenever possible, offer the name, contact details and start date of your replacement. If possible, a little background information on them is always appreciated. If there is no replacement, ensure you provide contact details to the individual who will be taking over for you in the interim.

Tie-up all your loose ends. Don’t leave your clients hanging after your departure. Complete any last minute details, orders, emails, etc. Your clients will remember how helpful you were up to your last day. Not only does this look good on you, but also on your employer (who you will need as a reference!).

*** Please note that in some companies, it is the management’s responsibility to notify clients of your departure, as clients are considered company property. Always ask your supervisor before you make contact with your clients. If it is left to the company, ensure they notify your clients before you leave, otherwise you will wind up looking unprofessional.

Carey