As an administrative professional, you’ve spent years (or even decades) supporting your executive and keeping the office running smoothly. You’ve been the finder of lost things, the solver of problems, and the office go-to. Now you’re finally retiring from the workforce.
Retirement is an exciting phase of life. Maybe you’ll travel, spend more time with family, or volunteer for organizations near and dear to you. But before you hang up your admin hat and log out of your computer for the last time, there are some things you should do to ensure an easy transition for you, your colleagues, and your executives.
Tip 1: Document Your Procedures
If you don’t already have a procedures manual, create one! You need to document your key processes and responsibilities so that your successor can step into the position with confidence.
Think back to when you first started. What would you have liked to know on your first day? What would have made your first week or month easier? Focus on those things first and then, if you have time, go from there.
If you already have a procedures manual, you’re one step ahead. Take some time to update it and add detail to any procedures that aren’t clear.
Tip 2: Establish a Successor Training Plan
Odds are that it will be your job to train your replacement, so collaborate with your executive to come up with a plan as soon as possible.
Are there specific areas that will take more training than others? Could an online course help set them up for success? Based on their past work experience, do you anticipate any areas where they might struggle?
The more you know about your successor, and the more your executive can share with you about their resume, work history, personality, etc., the better prepared they’ll be to hit the ground running.
Tip 3: Communicate Your Retirement Timeline
You didn’t just wake up one day and decide to retire. You probably thought about it for quite some time, talked it over with your family, crunched the numbers, and made a plan.
Your executive and colleagues need to make a plan, too, so don’t wait until the last moment to spring your retirement on them. Open and transparent communication is vital from beginning to end. This allows time to adjust, find and train a replacement, and prepare for a smooth handoff.
Tip 4: Mentoring and Knowledge Sharing
There’s a difference between training someone and mentoring someone. A mentor doesn’t just show someone how to do a job; they offer support, provide guidance, and share insights about the job, too.
If possible, spend some time with your successor before you leave. Share your business acumen with them. Introduce them to people they might not interact with daily, but can serve as a resource if they have questions after you’re gone. Show them your favorite tech tools and online resources.
By encouraging this culture of knowledge sharing within the organization, you’re helping to cultivate an environment where everyone can learn from one another. It also allows you to leave behind a positive legacy and contribute to the growth of all the admins that will follow in your footsteps!
Always Leave on Good Terms!
Retirement is a time to reflect on your achievements and plan for a fulfilling future. By following these tips, you’re ensuring a smooth transition, while leaving a lasting impact and setting the stage for the continued success of your colleagues, executive, and company!
© 2023 Julie Perrine International, LLC
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Julie Perrine, CAP-OM, is the founder and CEO of All Things Admin, providing training, mentoring and resources for administrative professionals worldwide. Julie applies her administrative expertise and passion for lifelong learning to serving as an enthusiastic mentor, speaker and author who educates admins around the world on how to be more effective every day. Learn more about Julie’s books — The Innovative Admin: Unleash the Power of Innovation in Your Administrative Career and The Organized Admin: Leverage Your Unique Organizing Style to Create Systems, Reduce Overwhelm, and Increase Productivity, and Become a Procedures Pro: The Admin’s Guide to Developing Effective Office Systems and Procedures.
