Leaving a job is an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience.

On one hand, you're anxious to start the next phase of your life and likely thinking more about your new job than your current one. But, on the other hand, you don't want to burn any bridges with your current employer.

Handling those final days with grace can be the key to getting valuable references and maintaining a professional network that you've worked hard to build.

Plan Your Strategy

Always have a strategy when leaving a job.

Figure out the logistics of your departure. Will you give the standard two weeks notice or offer more time to ease the transition? How will you deliver your resignation? What if your boss presents you with a counter-offer and tries to entice you to stay? Will you be able to finish lingering projects or help train your replacement?

Thinking through these issues before actually giving notice will help you resign in a professional way. It'll also show your boss and colleagues that you're responsible and dependable up to the very end.

Write Your Resignation Letter

It's standard practice to deliver an official letter of resignation when announcing your departure to your employer.

Keep your letter short and sweet. It's not the place to air your grievances or express negative feelings about the position or your boss.

You also don't have to be overly specific about your reasons for leaving. A simple sentence about exploring a more challenging opportunity should suffice.

And don't forget to thank your employer for the opportunity it gave you.

Resign Face to Face

Resigning from a job is just about always uncomfortable. But it's extremely important to deliver the news to your manager in person, as a sign of respect.

Tell your manager about your resignation before you tell your coworkers. Don't feel the need to explain or justify your departure in great detail. Instead, try to echo the thoughts in your letter of resignation, which you should present to your manager when you speak with him.

Be direct, keep the meeting positive and state your appreciation for everything your manager and the company has done for you.

Your Last Day

Your last day at a job will be a whirlwind of activity.

Most likely, you'll be tying up loose ends, organizing projects, writing instructions for your replacement and saying goodbye to colleagues.

But before you go, make sure you've communicated the status of all your projects to your manager. It's easy to let some items fall through the cracks as you're leaving. Remember: Your behavior on your last day at work leaves a lasting impression on your employer. And you want it to be a good one.