Before you leave. What to do while you still can.
Last updated 2026-07-01
Most people treat their last day as a finish line. It's actually a deadline — the access you have today, to your files, your contacts, your performance data, your references, disappears the moment you're out, and a few hours of preparation now protects years of work. The single highest-leverage thing to do before you go: ask for references while the relationship is active and the work is recent, not months later when you actually need them and the ask feels transactional.
There's also a real, specific line between what's yours to keep and what isn't. Your own contacts, your own performance reviews, and your own written work are generally yours. Proprietary company data, client lists you didn't personally build, and source code are not — and "if unsure, don't take it" is the right default, since the liability is real and your accomplishments and relationships are enough on their own. Beyond that: know your non-compete and IP-assignment terms before you're negotiating a competing offer, not after.
What the full guide covers
- Exporting your own contacts and work samples before you lose access
- Securing 5 references while the relationship is warm
- What you can and cannot legally take with you
- Non-compete, IP assignment, and severance terms to read before signing
- How to leave in a way that protects your reputation for years, not months
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Frequently asked questions
Can I take my contacts with me when I leave a job?
Generally yes — the relationships you built are yours. What you can't take is company-owned data about those relationships, like a CRM record or a client list you didn't personally build.
When should I ask for a reference — before or after I leave?
Before. The best time to ask is while the relationship is active and the work is recent — asking months later, after you need it for a job search, reads as transactional and the specifics have often faded for both of you.
What shouldn't I take when I leave a job?
Proprietary company data, client lists you didn't personally build, source code, financial models, and confidential documents. If you're unsure whether something counts, the safe default is to leave it — the liability isn't worth it.