In a recent LinkedIn post, Idris Akinlabi , PHRi™ MCIB offers crucial advice for professionals on preparing for their next career move by meticulously gathering essential employment documentation before resigning from their current role. Akinlabi emphasizes the importance of proactive record-keeping to avoid potential difficulties when seeking new employment or verifying past professional history.
Highlighting a common pitfall, Akinlabi states:
“Some workplaces will not respond to your requests after resignation. That is why you must gather your career evidence before you leave.”
The Imperative of Pre-Resignation Documentation
Akinlabi’s central argument revolves around the potential lack of cooperation from former employers once an employee has departed. This can create significant hurdles for individuals needing to provide proof of employment, salary, or specific achievements to prospective new employers or for other administrative purposes. The professional, who holds the PHRi™ designation and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (MCIB), stresses that waiting until after a resignation to start this process is a mistake that can lead to unnecessary stress and delays.
Key Documents to Secure
The post provides a comprehensive checklist of documents and information that professionals should aim to secure before their final day. According to Akinlabi , this evidence forms the bedrock of a verifiable and robust career history.
- Offer letter
- Payslips
- Promotion letters
- Job description
- Performance reviews
- Commendation emails
- Completed projects
- Numbers and achievements
- Work samples (where permitted)
- Exit documents
- Pension, tax, and benefit records
- Employment confirmation letter
Akinlabi elaborates on the urgency of this task, noting:
“Don’t wait until a new employer asks for proof before you start chasing your old company. Don’t wait until you need your payslip before remembering it is inside your official email.”
Maintaining Professionalism and Preparedness
The advice from Akinlabi extends beyond mere document collection; it touches upon the broader concept of professional conduct during and after employment. While advocating for a thorough departure process, the post also subtly underscores the importance of maintaining good relationships, even as one prepares to leave. However, the primary focus remains on self-preservation and ensuring one’s professional narrative is not held hostage by former employers.
Akinlabi concludes with a powerful summation of this proactive approach:
“Your career history should not be trapped inside a workplace you no longer have access to. Leave properly. Leave professionally. But leave prepared.”
This advice from Idris Akinlabi , PHRi™ MCIB serves as a timely reminder for all professionals to treat their career documentation as a critical asset, ensuring it is accessible and verifiable regardless of their employment status. By taking these steps, individuals can navigate career transitions with greater confidence and efficiency.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Idris Akinlabi , PHRi™ MCIB on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on June 17, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →