Field notes
Closing client projects without burning bridges before day one
Once a start date is fixed, work backwards. Identify which clients need four weeks’ notice, which can finish mid-sprint, and which retainers must be formally ended in writing. Surprises here create stress that spills into your first weeks as an employee.
Write notices that thank the client and name a handover contact or documentation package. You do not need a long personal essay—clarity about timelines and deliverables protects relationships better than vague apologies.
Invoice promptly for completed work and for agreed wind-down fees if your terms allow them. Outstanding receivables after you start employment are harder to chase while learning a new team’s rhythm.
If a client asks you to stay available after your employment begins, check your new contract first. Many permanent roles require written approval for any Nebentätigkeit. Saying “I need to confirm with my employer” is professional, not evasive.
Keep a short archive: signed notices, final invoices, and a list of passwords or access you returned. That folder is useful if a former client later claims something was left unfinished.