Getting a new job is something to be proud of but what you should do before leaving is send a goodbye email to your soon-to-be colleagues.

Career Expert Vicki Salemi says:

“A goodbye email helps you close the loop and put a bow on your employment before you move on, so be sure you send one.

“It’s a mistake not to, because it’s a pretty simple task, and you want to leave on a good note.”

However, knowing how to write a good one can be difficult.

Here are some tips on what to do and what not to do when writing a farewell email.

Be Gracious

Every goodbye email to colleagues must be full of gratitude.

Thank your co-workers for the time you worked together and mention what you will miss about working there.

The email’s tone should be friendly and upbeat.

Keep the Tone Professional

While you will be leaving the job, it is important to keep the goodbye email professional.

Avoid getting emotional or too personal.

Other factors to avoid include being too casual, using foul language or backhanded compliments that could be interpreted the wrong way.

Send to All Colleagues

There is no reason to exclude colleagues in other departments, even if you only worked with them briefly.

Even if you have had issues with certain people in the past, include them too.

This is a time when you want to take the high road.

Share your Personal Email

While this is optional, it is a nice gesture and provides a chance to say:

“If you have any questions while I’m no longer here, I’m just an email away.”

It can also be important for networking opportunities in the future.

Send a Separate Email to External Contacts

Those you worked with regularly who was not at your company should hear the news from you.

They may welcome the chance to stay in touch.

Also, you don’t know where a new job lead can emerge from.

Send it at the Right Time

Emailing a goodbye any earlier than your second-last day is probably too early.

Most send their farewell email to colleagues on their last day.

But avoid waiting until the end of the day. Sending it at least a few days before gives people a chance to send their own farewells and good wishes.

Keep it Short

Keeping it short and concise is best. Two to three brief paragraphs are usually enough.

When saying goodbye, you should be able to briefly but appropriately express yourself.

Be Positive

Even if the work environment was toxic, avoid mentioning it in your email.

Despite no longer working at a particular company, your reputation will continue to follow you.

Something negative about the job, the workplace or anything work-related may be seen as a poor reflection of you.

Spellcheck

Always look for spelling and grammatical errors.

Use spellcheck but also proofread the email in order to spot any mistakes.

After leaving, you want to be remembered for being detail-oriented, not for being the person who makes silly spelling errors.

Sending a farewell email to colleagues is a nice gesture before moving on to another role.

These tips will make sure you know what you’re doing when writing your goodbye email.