from your current job is a savvy career decision. Your actions and attitude in the final weeks can greatly influence your references and future career if your conduct is not co-operative and above-board.

Start your transition by giving your present employer adequate notice which could range from two weeks to several months, depending on your position. Be careful not to burn any bridges since burnt bridges have a way of resurfacing at the exactly wrong moment. Focus on the positives of your new job instead of the reasons you're leaving -- even with your closest colleagues.

Preserve your integrity . . . raiding your files, taking customer contacts, or stealing business from your current employer, particularly if you'll be working for a competitor, is highly unethical.

Focus completely on your current job. Contact colleagues and suppliers about your move after you start your new job. Finish projects, complete a status report on ongoing work, organize information and files, and summarize your responsibilities and job procedures for your successor. Maintain a helpful, positive attitude when training your replacement. Do not undermine your successor's qualifications or abilities.

Say thank you to your employer or colleagues. Show your appreciation for the opportunities and personal growth you've experienced while at their company.

Maintaining a professional attitude throughout this transition should motivate your employer to respond similarly and write a complimentary reference letter.

Some companies, fearful of corporate sabotage or the effect on employee morale, require resigning employees to leave their premises immediately. There is no point in throwing a temper tantrum or challenging this corporate policy. Retrieve your personal belongings from your desk and exit gracefully.

All that is left is to prove you made the right decision in leaving.