Step 2: Tell your manager (not the group chat).
No matter how close you are with coworkers, your manager should be the first to know. Start with a simple text message, like “Do you have a few minutes today or tomorrow? I’d like to talk with you live.” Respect and professionalism go a long way in a small industry.
Step 3: Keep the conversation short and clean.
Your resignation isn’t the time to unload grievances. Keep it gracious, simple, and direct. No apologies. No long explanations. No emotional spirals. Here are a few examples:
“I’ve accepted an opportunity that aligns with my long-term goals.”
“I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
“My final day will be ___, and I’m committed to a smooth transition.”
Step 4: Put it in writing – immediately.
Follow up the conversation with an email confirming your last day. Keep it neutral and professional. This becomes part of your employment record and how you are remembered.
Step 5: Offer a transition plan.
Especially in security, where projects, accounts, and clients rely on continuity, it is essential to make your last two weeks a “clean exit” – not a quiet quitting period. Outline your open tasks, document passwords, configs, and handoff notes, and even offer to train your replacement or brief the team. This protects your reputation more than anything else.
Step 6: Leave with class.
On your final day, be sure to thank people individually, send a short goodbye email, and avoid trash-talking or oversharing about why you are leaving. The security industry is smaller than it looks, and today’s competitor could be tomorrow’s partner or hiring manager.
Step 7: Stay connected after leaving.
Don’t ghost your old team. Keep relationships alive. This industry is built on long-term trust, not short-term jobs. A simple check-in a few weeks later – “Hope everything is going well” or “Thinking of you guys” – goes a long way.
