What does it mean to burn bridges? To burn bridges with someone means to say or do things that lessen the possibility of returning to the previous state of the relationship.

It is incredibly tempting to burn bridges when you leave an employer and move on to your next job.

Maybe your manager was awful, the work culture was toxic, or you were severely underpaid for the results you delivered.

The reality is that when you interview for a new job, the potential new employer will do some research. They will Google your name. They will look for your posts (if you have any) on social media and they will read your comments. They may also contact the references you give them.

And your potential new employer may find others (not on your reference list) you worked with via a search on LinkedIn.

· What do people say about you when you aren’t in the room?

· Do you have advocates that you’ve worked with in the past who will share what makes you remarkable?

I am grateful for the many wonderful former colleagues that I have worked with. And the ones that were less than wonderful…well, I am grateful for them as well. I learned who not to trust and what red flags to watch for in the future.

So, take a deep breath and walk away before you burn a bridge. Go for a walk, talk to a friend or your therapist.

But don’t let loose with your actions or words in a way that harms a relationship. In the short-term it can feel great. But in the long-term it may be a major career derailer.

According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking.

According to CNBC, 70% of jobs are never published publicly. These jobs are either posted internally or are created specifically for candidates that recruiters meet through networking.

So, build bridges and don’t burn them. Find ways to help one another.

And for those of you who are searching for your next opportunity, don’t give up.

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