A lesson in never burning bridges

Often times I’ve found that when job contracts come to an and are not going to be renewed, or when people are moving on in their careers to another company or perhaps they have been laid off, they find themselves acting in such a way that burns bridges. Some become disruptive in the workplace or take on a devil-may-care attitude that leaves a sour taste and negative memory of them after they leave.

This is never wise at any point in your career, no matter how bad things are where you are working. It’s important to remember that you never know who you may come across again in the future or who the people in your workplace know in your industry. Consider that if you leave with a bad reputation, this impression continues on with your managers and co-workers, and that may come back to haunt you, sooner or later, in your career.

I once had a co-worker who was at the end of her contract; the month before she left, she burned almost every bridge that she created while in that position. She became combative toward her managers, was loud around her co-workers and openly disrespectful of the company. Because the industry we worked in at the time was very close-knit, word of her behaviour became common knowledge and it took her over a year and half to find a new place of employment. Of course, this could have been due to the economy, or perhaps it was a direct result of the word spreading about her attitude. Remember too, that most people will have to rely on a recommendation from their previous place of work before they get a new position at a different company.

Another past coworker, also at the end of her contract but with the possibility of a different placement within the organization, also became very boisterous before she left. Her dedication to her workload slowed, her breaks got noticeably longer and she too became inappropriately loud. Not surprisingly, no other role was made available for her even though before this demonstrated behaviour, she was a valued employee.

On the flip-side, it’s also important to remember when you interview with an organization, you should stay positive and respectful of the interviewer, even if you aren’t offered the job. Thank them for their time, and ask what you might have done differently in the interview, and perhaps what made the candidate chosen for the role better suited for it than you.

In the past, I interviewed for a position that I didn’t end up getting, but I remained professional and courteous toward the interviewer after being turned down. I asked her to remember me if she came across anything that she thought I might be better suited for, and she did. Not long after being turned down for the role within her organization she referred me to another position with a strong recommendation to the new hiring manager.

Had I done things differently, perhaps not responding to her email informing me that I was not being offered the job, or if I came across as being negative toward her or my not being selected, chances are slim that she would have given me the recommendation for the new position.

Keep these things in mind when you are ending your employment, or when missing out on an opportunity, no matter what the circumstances are. You never know when you’ll come across these people again and you never know who they may speak to about your behaviour within your chosen field.

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