From the moment you know you will be leaving a job, the actions you take will decide how successful you are in finding another. I’ve seen individuals bungle their exit under stress, usually without realising. And that lack of awareness can be a major issue executives face when looking for another placement. Here are some strategies you can engage for a best-case-scenario exit.

1. Take 24 hours

You can feel ambushed when first told you will no longer be required. It’s therefore a good idea to wait 24 hours before you respond. Use that time to clear your head and, with the help of a sounding board (see next), compose a poised and well-planned negotiation.

2. Find your sounding board

It is essential you have someone you can talk to, someone who will help you be purposeful. It’s best this person is not your partner, who will probably feel even more aggrieved than you do . You need objectivity and sound counsel, someone you can depend on for directness and honesty.

3. Think of yourself as a brand

Your skill and experience as well as your personal style and way of working is your brand. That is what you stand for, what you offer and what you represent in regard to your chosen employment. When you can clearly identify your brand it’s as if pieces of a puzzle suddenly fall into place. You can easily see the best way to market yourself and which organisation would be the best fit for you.

4. Prepare your exit story

Before you do speak to anyone make sure you have prepared your story. Remember, you’re a brand. Every step you take from here until the next position must be strategic. For example, it’s not that you’re leaving or something’s ending, it’s more that you’re going towards something better for you at this time.

5. Make strategic, personal contact

As soon as you know you’re leaving the organisation, make a list of people who should only hear this news from you. The grapevine lights up quickly and not always in your favour.

There will be a core of people who can influence your future, who can assist you at this time or simply deserve to hear it from you.

6. Respect intellectual property

The job market is littered with people who have stolen important information from their previous employer. It might seem like a good idea at the time, a way of shoring up your future but your chosen industry is like a small town. People who matter will hear about it and they will never employ you. Of course, the bottom line is it’s theft - the wrong thing to do.

Mismanaged exits affect future prospects. Applying these simple strategies could be the difference between climbing the career ladder and facing a slippery slope.