Give Notice, Offer Thanks: How to Say Goodbye

Hollywood was titillated on Aug. 18 as a departing William Morris Agency assistant's farewell message to his colleagues made the rounds of mock-scandalized email forwards.

The letter, which offered a glimpse into the usually secretive world of talent agencies, was naturally discussed ad nauseum -- it was such a slow news week that the tempest-in-a-teapot even made the L.A. Times on Aug. 25.

While the letter itself offered more heat than dish -- it outlined such "rare" events as attempting to pick up a colleague at a holiday party and making a fool of oneself with a celebrity -- it did succeed in bringing up a juicy morsel of etiquette: the art of saying goodbye.

In a nutshell, a skillful goodbye establishes closure (even if you'd rather not go), thanks colleagues for their support (even if it was hard to detect), and leaves the door open for future contact (even if the foreseeable circumstances for a reunion are vanishingly narrow).

Like the constructive criticism model discussed previously, this formula uses a softened start-up and an open ending. Unlike this model, however, it should not present any "evidence," for that might imply criticism -- and your boss is perfect in every way, especially now.

What to Say

Begin any farewell messages, whether written or oral, with something positive -- thanks for the accomplishments and the camaraderie you've enjoyed at the company are obvious choices -- and then end on a high note, with a laugh if at all possible.

Pass along the dates of your departure and any future contact information, and then call it a day.

Remember, unlike the mistaken agency assistant, you want your farewell letters to conform, because those that fail to do so will be forwarded. Actually, even the ones that do conform will be forwarded, but if the only snark on the page is someone else's, you can still escape censure or, worse, becoming a cause celebre.