How to Professionally Leave Your Product Management Role

Tips for exiting gracefully and how to use your situation to benefit your career.

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, saying goodbye to the product you’re working on and feeling both nostalgic and excited about what lies ahead?

Well let me tell you, that's what I'm feeling right now 🙃

This is my last week as PM of a product in the healthcare industry. The company is currently undergoing a structural reorganization due to an IPO in the coming months.

I think the worst thing for me is the feeling of leaving things "incomplete". Which, in a way, is ironic, really. Because when you talk about product management, unless the market dictates the end of your product, there is so much to do!

But saying goodbye isn't merely about parting ways; it's an opportunity to reflect, appreciate, and pave the way for future growth. Let's explore how to get through this crucial situation graceful and professionally 😉

First of all, let it out! 🏌️

If you’re or have been in a similar situation, the worst thing you can do is to blame yourself!

As companies evolve over time, they may find themselves growing larger and less efficient. In challenging times, they may seek to streamline operations and increase profitability by reducing staff. 

Some decision-makers may consider outsourcing product development and believe that their current product lineup is sufficient to sustain profits without the need for new launches or improvements.

A good representation of company reorganization.

It’s okay to feel sad, frustrated, or even relieved when leaving a product or job. Don’t bottle up your emotions - find someone to talk to, whether it’s a colleague, friend, or mentor. Expressing your feelings can help you process them and move forward in a positive way.

Always remember that it is not the end!

Reflect on Accomplishments and Lessons Learned 🏆

First, take a moment to reflect on what you've accomplished. Did you launch a feature that significantly impacted user engagement? Or perhaps you led your team through a challenging pivot, emerging with a product more aligned with market needs?

These victories, big and small, are not just milestones but signals of your growth and contribution. Share these stories in your farewell, highlighting not just the successes but the challenges overcome. It's a powerful way to acknowledge your journey and reinforce the value you've brought to the table.

Also, reflecting on and documenting the lessons learned from every project is essential for professional growth and development. These insights can be valuable assets that showcase your ability to navigate challenges, adapt, and drive improvement, making you a valuable asset in the field of product management.

Delegate Responsibilities Properly 🤝

Transitioning projects and responsibilities can be difficult, but it is important for ensuring continuity and building trust. Document your processes and strategies in detail to help the next person navigate the project successfully. Sit down with your successor to explain the intricacies of the project and make the transition as seamless as possible.

• Transition Planning: If there's a successor, plan several joint working sessions to transfer knowledge and context. In the absence of a direct replacement, delegate responsibilities to various team members based on their strengths and capabilities.

• Prepare a Handover Document: Detail the current state of the project, including any upcoming milestones, known issues, and strategic initiatives so that whoever is taking over has a clear understanding of where things stand.

• Document Processes: Ensure all your work processes and systems are thoroughly documented for easy handover. This will be even easier if you have been in the habit of doing this since you joined the company.

• Communicate with Stakeholders: Hold meetings with key stakeholders to explain the transition and introduce them to the person or people taking over your responsibilities.

Ensure Continuous Improvement 🌱

Continuous improvement is a key part of any professional journey. Once you've said your goodbyes and are ready to embark on a new chapter, don't forget to reflect on your experiences and look for opportunities to grow and improve.

• Feedback Solicitation: Before leaving, ask for feedback from peers, reports, and stakeholders on your performance and your project's output. Use this to craft a plan for improvement.

• Exit Presentation: If possible, deliver a final presentation to your team and relevant stakeholders summarizing your contributions, what has worked well, and areas for improvement. If time permits, of course!

• Foster Improvement: Promote a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging the team to keep building on the foundations you've set, iterating on products, and enhancing processes.

⭐️ PRO TIP: Write a Farewell Email

For many this is a tedious and unnecessary to do. But let me tell you, it is worth it. Taking the time to craft a thoughtful farewell email can leave a lasting impression on your colleagues and show your professionalism and gratitude.

Include a heartfelt message expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to work with your colleagues, share some memorable moments, and express your excitement for the future.

You can even make right use of ChatGPT and tune a prompt to help you start with something like:

You are a product manager who just got laid off, you've been working for this company in X industry in X product for X years. Write a heartfelt email to show professionalism and gratitude to your colleagues.

Or you can use my example too.

Subject: A Fond Farewell and Deepest Gratitude


Dear Team,

I trust this message finds you all in good health and high spirits. Today, I write to you with a heavy heart to formally announce my departure from the role of [your role]. effective [last working day].

Despite the brevity of my time here [if it’s your case, you can also mention the situation], I have had the privilege to work with an extraordinarily talented team and witness our collective dedication and resilience. Each interaction, has been a learning experience for me. I am grateful for these moments and the opportunities that this role has bestowed upon me.

I am optimistic about the future and I’m eager to start this new chapter in my professional life, and I am sure that our paths may intersect again. I invite you to stay connected with me either through LinkedIn [LinkedIn URL] or via email [personal email address].

Finally, I have the utmost faith in this team’s continued success. I am eager to see how you will shape the future of our business environment in the [Industry/Sector].

Wish you all the best for all the wonderful things to come.


Warm regards,
[Your Name]

Have a better prompt or an advice on this topic? Let me know!

Update Your CV and Portfolio 💼 

After reflecting on your achievements, challenges and leaving everything ready for your successor. It’s time to use this on your favor.

Leaving a job it’s not the end of the road, but the beginning of a new adventure. Use everything you’ve achieved, learned and improved to showcase for your next opportunity. It hasn't been for nothing, has it?

Consider maintaining a career portfolio—this living document should highlight your successes and learnings with tangible evidence. Generate feature case studies, secure testimonials, curate a gallery of product iterations, and chart the growth you've achieved.

Here are some tips 👇

• Record Key Achievements: Document the metrics or milestones that reflect successful outcomes from your work—increased customer satisfaction, growth in user base, improved revenue, or streamlined processes, and more.

• Compile Success Stories: Gather quantifiable successes and customer testimonials that you can use to illustrate your achievements in your resume or LinkedIn profile.

• Highlight Problems Solved: Showcase instances when you overcame challenges. It exemplifies your problem-solving skills, resilience, and adaptability.

• Identify Lessons Learned: Make a note of challenges faced and how you addressed them (or not?), as well as areas that didn't go as planned and the valuable insights gained.

• Draft Case Studies: Select a few high-impact projects and draft case studies outlining the objectives, your actions, and the outcomes, using data to affirm the success.

• Skills and Expertise: Based on your experiences, update your resume with the new skills you've acquired and the areas of your role that you have perfected in this project/client.

On the bright side 🌈

There are multiple reasons why product managers may be let go from their roles, including unsuccessful products, ineffective plan execution, lack of strong leadership, market downturns, and many other reasons that are not tied to performance. That’s why it is important to stay aware of changes happening within your company, industry, and market.

While leaving any type of position may seem daunting, it is also an opportunity for growth and development. You can make the most out of this transition reflecting on your accomplishments, documenting lessons learned, and gathering quantifiable experience for updating your CV and portfolio.

Remember that this is not the end, but a new beginning. Stay positive, embrace change, and leverage your experience to push your career forward. Good luck! 🚀

Feel free to share your thoughts and what have worked for you so others can benefit from it!