Leaving a restaurant job can be a tricky business. Restaurants are unique workplaces because each staff member is dependent on his or her coworkers. No matter your position at the restaurant, you play a vital role in keeping things running smoothly. When you decide to resign, keeping a positive, professional attitude is vital. By following a few key steps, you can ensure that the break from your restaurant job is clean and painless.

Prepare yourself. Have a new job lined up before quitting your current one. If you plan on pursuing a job search after leaving your current job, then you should, at the very least, make sure you have enough money saved to sustain yourself while unemployed. Avoid quitting on an impulse.

Write a letter of resignation. Depending on how your relationship with your boss is, this letter can take many forms. If your relationship is strictly employer-employee, you can write a simple letter stating you will be resigning and what your final work date will be. You can get more personal and explain why you're leaving if you feel comfortable doing so. If you have a close relationship with your boss, you can give a heartfelt farewell. Use your judgment to decide on the style and voice you use in the letter. Be sure to keep a positive tone to avoid burning any bridges.

Give ample notice. Two weeks' notice is the standard for leaving most jobs. Consult your employment agreement to confirm the amount of notice you are expected to give before resigning.

Help train your replacement. Even if your employers don't ask you to help with the training, you should at least give your replacement some pointers and provide information to help him or her acclimate to the position.

Make arrangements for receiving your final paycheck. Some employers will ask that you come in to pick up your check, and some may prefer to mail the check to you. If relocation is your reason for leaving, discuss options with your employer. Of course, if you use direct deposit, this won't be an issue.

Leave on a strong note. When leaving a job, there is a temptation to slack off or shirk some of your duties. Avoid doing this. Put in the same amount of effort you always do and leave your employers with a good impression.