How to quit your job

Take this job and shove it

I ain't working here no more

My woman done left and took all the reasons

I was working for

You better not try to stand in my way

As I'm a walking out the door.

Take this job and shove it

I ain't working here no more

Johnny Paycheck may have had good reason to be unhappy about his job when he sang this song, and you may be tempted to borrow this famous line when leaving yours, but don't.

There's a lot to consider when a CCIE feels it's time to make a career move. Typically, compensation is not the main reason. How a CCIE earns a living is as important as how much they earn. Greater technology challenges and responsibility usually drives the decision to look around. A limited career path may also be a factor. Moving up in a company is often tied to management responsibilities, but many technologists don't want to manage staff. While mentoring is attractive, the responsibility for annual reviews, budgets and morale takes all of the fun out of pushing bits and bytes.

Here are some tips for a smart search, and a healthy transition:

Keep positive

I advise anyone interviewing with a recruiter to refrain from being negative about a current employer. Negativity is a red flag, and gives me a reason to do more thorough reference checks.

Give plenty of notice

Happy or not, you owe your employer notice of your intention to leave. In the US, a two week notice is standard. 30 days is common in the UK. Often a CCIE's responsibilities for a project or critical deliverable may necessitate a longer notice and when an employee has the courtesy to note this in their resignation, it is usually appreciated. However, be careful if your next employer is pushing you hard to wrap things up with your current employer earlier than you are comfortable with. Burning bridges is dangerous. The CCIE community is small. Your paths will cross again. Be polite and do the right thing.

Well that foreman, he's a regular dog

The line boss, he's a fool

Got a brand new flat-top haircut

Lord, he thinks he's cool

One of these days, I'm gonna blow my top

And that sucker, he's gonna pay

Lord I can't wait to see their faces

When I get up the nerve to say

Be polite

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