If you are leaving your current company, either by choice or by lay off or termination - you need to take a few things (legally) to ensure that you have all of the information you need to assist in a new job search, leveraging your skills and accomplishments to change careers, negotiate severance pay or even for legal action against your employer if necessary. Here is a list of the five things you should take with you:

1. A complete copy of your personnel file

Most large companies have policies regarding copying your personnel file, like putting a request in writing etc. however, you should leave your company with the contents of your personnel file. Specifically, you will want to have copies of performance reviews, awards, letters of commendation, letters of discipline/reprimand and copies of your old resume and application. You need this information for a number of reasons. First, you will want to know what the company "thinks" of you - at least what they have documented. This is important in all three cases; lay off, termination or resignation. If you are laid off, you may be eligible for severance pay. Even if your company does not have a severance policy, every company has the ability to pay you something when you leave. One week's pay for every year of service is the very least you should ask for. Depending on your position with the company, you may be in a position to ask for much more.

If you are terminated-you will want to see the documentation contained in your personnel file. The reasons for this are obvious, if not, you want to be on the lookout for any discriminatory practices as well as contradictory evidence, such as glowing performance reviews.

2. Samples of your Work

Without taking confidential company information, you should make copies of things you did while working for your current employer. Did you work on a special project, do a special analysis, work on a team project etc. You may not remember the details later when you will go to refresh your resume or prepare for an interview. You can count on the fact that your next employer will ask you to give examples of your previous accomplishments. This is exactly why you don't want to forget any of the great things you have done along the way. Job descriptions, if they are not marked "confidential" are important to have as well.

3. Letters of Recommendation

After you leave a company, in many cases, your previous employer will only give out your dates of employment and possibly if you are eligible for rehire. Most large companies discourage their managers and supervisors from giving out letters of recommendation to protect themselves from legal issues that arise out of references.

If you are still employed, and you have a good relationship with your supervisor or other members of management, you should ask them before you leave the company, if they would be a "personal" reference for you. If your next employer can reach a supervisor or manager at your old company, without going through the Human Resources department, there is a good chance they will offer a "personal" reference.

4. Lists

In addition to work samples, you should compile lists while you are still employed. If you are leaving a company, you should take a list of all important people you have worked with and their email addresses, a list of all supervisors/managers you have worked for, a list of awards including attendance, performance, teams etc., a list of external people you work with i.e. vendors, a list of all jobs you held with dates, and a list of products or customers you have worked with.

5. Handbooks and Manuals

You should gather all handbooks, manuals, books or any other document given to you by the company. This does not mean stealing company property, it means remembering to take everything the company gave you while you were employed there. You do not know if you will need this information in the future, especially if you receive severance pay and/or benefits when you leave.