If you're moving up the corporate ladder and accept a new job outside your company, you may be both excited and ambivalent about breaking the news to colleagues. They may be excited on your behalf, or feel left out or abandoned by the fact that you’ll no longer be working with them.

Give Your Boss Notice

Before you start spreading the news of your new job, schedule a one-on-one private appointment with your immediate supervisor to announce your resignation. Be professional in your approach, bringing with you a formal letter of resignation, expressing thanks for the opportunities in your current role, and providing sufficient notice.

Tell Close Friends

Tell your close work friends first right after telling your boss, but before you make a broad announcement. In particular, if you have people who report directly to you, tell them first. Express your excitement for your new role and your dismay at leaving behind such great friends and colleagues. You may be pressed for an explanation for your departure. Avoid admitting to an unhappiness with your salary, perks or opportunities for advancement, and don't talk poorly about your supervisor or colleagues. Rather, insist you’re leaving to pursue new professional opportunities.

Draft a Memo

If your boss regularly distributes company-wide emails and memos to announce new hires and departures, he may take care of informing your colleagues on his own. If that's not common practice, ask if you can do that yourself. Issue an office communication that announces your resignation and your new position. Note your final date of employment and reiterate your commitment to finishing outstanding projects before leaving. Taking this approach ensures you maintain good relationships with your co-workers even after you leave your position.

Inform Clients

In addition to telling co-workers about your new job, at some point you'll need to tell major clients and customers about your departure as well. If possible, introduce the person who will take over your role to individuals outside the company you work with on a regular basis. Write status reports on projects in the works and tie up loose ends before leaving so you don't saddle your former co-workers with additional work.