E-protocol for professional goodbyes

Washington, Dec.13 (ANI): For Hill staffers who find themselves ousted along with their bosses, there are certain simple rules they must follow in their professional goodbyes.

According to a report in Politico:

- You must be gracious about the fact that your boss recently lost an election - and you, a job and a BlackBerry.

"Unfortunately, elections do not always go the way you want them to," Travis Burk, the soon-to-be-former press secretary to Virginia Rep. Thelma Drake, wrote in an e-mail sent on Nov. 21. "I will have limited access to my e-mail, and my cell number will be reassigned next month."

- You must come across as upbeat to impress potential bosses.

"Currently, I am job searching like many other people in D.C., and when I land a new job, I will let you know," wrote Matthew Mika, a senior legislative assistant to Michigan Rep. Tim Walberg.

- And, above all, you must mask any bitterness.

"It's the only job you can get fired from even if you're doing a great job," a stoic Brenda Kupchick, who's about to lose her job in Rep. Christopher Shays' Connecticut office, wrote in a Facebook message.

- Should your conversations ever veer toward absolute doom and gloom, revert immediately to optimism.

"I haven't sent out a goodbye note yet," said Christen Nelson, 24, of Colorado Rep. Marilyn Musgrave's office. "I'm hoping that if I stay on the Hill, I won't have to because I'll have the same e-mail address." (ANI)