Ending Your Holiday Job on a Good Note

Well, the new year is almost here and while it brings the promise of new things to come, for many people who have found seasonal work – it's time to say goodbye and start focusing on their job search again. Even though it was a seasonal job, it's important to leave on a good note in order to be sure that you will get a great reference and to avoid burning any bridges. It's always best to treat a seasonal job exactly like you would treat an internship or temporary assignment. Especially if you were fortunate enough to work for a company that you'd really like to work full-time for, leaving well is the best way to keep the door open for future job opportunities.

So, how can you do this?

First, you'll want to email your entire team about a week to a couple of days before your last scheduled day of work. The email should be sent to anyone that you've worked with or come in contact with during your time at the company. Basically, it should let everyone know that your time with the company is over, thank them for all of their help, tell them how much you've learned during your time and give them your current contact information. I know that it might seem like overkill, but each of your co-workers provides you with an excellent networking opportunity and they can even let you know about any new openings with the company, so making sure that they all have your contact information can be a huge step in the right direction.

Next, thank your boss. This isn't something that you'll want to do via email. Instead, stop by their office and thank them in person for the opportunity to work with the company. You should mention any new skills you've learned and briefly mention any accomplishments you've made during your time. If you really want to work with them again in the future, this is the time to mention it. Your boss should be able to tell you what you need to do to accomplish that goal and may even ask for a copy of your resume. If not, simply shake hands and take your leave. This face to face meeting should help ensure that your boss will remember you favorably in the future.

Finally, after your last day, keep in touch with your previous co-workers and follow the company. Keep tabs on what they are doing and on any new trends in the industry. You can like their Facebook page or follow their social networking accounts. This will allow you to find out where the company is going and give you some notice about future job openings.

No matter what your holiday work experience was, don't talk bad about the company or the management after you leave. It's bad manners and will only make you look bad in the long run. Even if you know that you'll never work for the company again, it's always better to leave on good terms.

How do you end your holiday jobs? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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