Don’t Burn the Bridge: How to Leave Your Employer Professionally
Most freelancers think freedom starts with a resignation letter. It doesn’t. It begins with how you leave. Because if you walk out the wrong way, you’re not just quitting a job – you’re cutting off your first (and often easiest) client.
Leaving your employer professionally isn’t just about courtesy; it’s also about maintaining a positive reputation. It’s about strategy. It’s your opportunity to turn your past employer into your first paying customer, reference, or long-term ally.
What does it mean to “leave professionally” in the context of freelancing?
Leaving professionally means being transparent, respectful, and forward-thinking.
Discuss your plans openly with your manager. Don’t vanish behind vague excuses about “new opportunities.” Instead, make it clear that your decision isn’t about dissatisfaction — it’s about direction. You want to explore something the current path doesn’t allow.
Frame it as growth, not escape. When you position your transition as part of your personal development, most leaders respect that. They might even support it.
How can someone position their departure so their employer sees potential for collaboration instead of betrayal?
Start by removing emotion from the equation. Never speak negatively about colleagues, leadership, or company policies — not during the notice period, and not afterwards. Nothing kills trust faster than gossip.
Show that it’s not personal. If possible, highlight a limitation that freelancing can solve. It could be the flexibility your role couldn’t offer or the type of work that didn’t align with company priorities.
For example, I once faced rigid working hours that clashed with my preferred day structure. Instead of framing it as frustration, I positioned it as a logistical issue. With my new freelance flexibility, I’d be happy to stay in touch and support them on future projects. That turned a “goodbye” into an open door.
Do you have an example of an employee-turned-freelancer who kept their old company as a client?
Yes — myself. When I left my former employer, I made sure to keep good relationships across teams. They already knew my work ethic and trusted my expertise. So when they later needed extra hands for a project, I was often their first call.
Another smart move is to look into partner programs or official collaboration structures. Many companies offer them, and they serve as a perfect bridge from “employee” to “trusted ally.”
What are the biggest mistakes people make when resigning that hurt future opportunities?
The worst mistake is going silent. Too many people “exit quietly,” offering no explanation and disappearing overnight. That leaves confusion and kills potential future collaboration.
The second mistake is not to stay in touch. If your former colleagues don’t know what you’re doing now, they won’t think to reach out. Share updates, send a note, stay visible. LinkedIn is a good place to do this if you don’t want to send people direct messages.
Because leaving a company doesn’t have to mean leaving relationships behind, handled well, your old employer can become your first customer or partner on the road ahead.
