Time to Resign? Time to Move On? Sounds good…now be professional on your way out. Here are some helpful tips with your Resignation Letter on your exit.
Resignation letters don’t need to be very long – in fact, short and to the point is often best. But, they do need to convey very specific information, and do so in a way that doesn’t burn bridges. For this reason, it’s often helpful to have a template in mind when writing your letter. Knowing the right format will help.
A Resignation Letter Must Include:
- The fact that you’re resigning.
- The date of your last day on the job. (Generally, it’s best to pick a day that’s at least two weeks from the date of your resignation.)
- A general thank you to your soon-to-be former boss, for the opportunity to work at the company.
Optionally, Your Resignation Letter May Also Include:
- A more specific thank you. For example, you might mention a useful skill you learned during your time at the company, or a project you particularly enjoyed and If you’ll miss the people you worked with, it’s always nice to say so.
- An offer to help with the transition, for example by training your replacement.
Resignation Letters Should Never Include:
- Anything negative. Resignation letters serve one very specific purpose: to set an end-date for your employment with the company. They may also serve to strengthen your networking connection to your soon-to-be former boss by leaving a good final impression. But they are not ever a good way to achieve emotional closure with a job. Even if you’re leaving because you hate everything about the role, and hope to never speak to your boss again after your last day, it costs you nothing to be professional.
- Too much detail. You can provide more information about your duties, clients, and projects, if and when your boss asks for it. Don’t clutter up this particular message with extraneous details.
A Few Notes About Quitting in General:
- Whenever possible, give at least two weeks’ notice – but don’t feel obligated to give more than that (may vary depending upon your role). Also, prepare for the possibility that you’ll be asked to leave immediately. It’s not common, but some employers will ask workers to leave ASAP after they resign, so make your financial plans accordingly (especially if you’re in commission sales).
- Find out about any employee benefits to which you might be entitled, before your last day. Ask about unused sick time or vacation time, and get information about your 401(k) and any stock options that might have accrued during your tenure.
- If you can, ask for a letter of recommendation from your former boss and/or any coworkers who might have positive things to say about your work. Now is also a good time to ask for endorsements and recommendations on Linked-In and other social media, when you’re still fresh in your team’s mind.
Resignation Letter Format:
The following resignation letter format will show you what to write in your letter of resignation.
Your Contact Information
First Last Name
Street Address
City, State, ZIP Code
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Employer Contact Information
Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State, ZIP Code
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,
First Paragraph
Your letter should say that you are resigning and state when your resignation is effective.
Middle Paragraph
The next (optional) section of your resignation letter should thank your employer for the opportunities you have had during your employment with the company.
Final Paragraph
Conclude your resignation letter (also optional) by offering to assist with the transition.
Respectfully yours,
Signature
Handwritten Signature (typed letter)
Typed Signature
Sample Resignation Letter
John Young
123 Main Park Drive
Somewhere, Massachusetts, 00100
555-123-4567
Me@xyz.com
March 1, 20XX
Mr. Jason Smith
Manager
ABC Corp
123 Main Street
Anywhere, Massachusetts, 02100
Dear Mr. Smith, I’m writing today to give my resignation and let you know that my last day with ABC Corp will be March 16, 20XX.
I’ve enjoyed my time here at the company immensely, and will miss working with the team. I’m so grateful to have had the chance to work with you all, and I know the skills I’ve learned over the past five years will serve me well in my new adventure.
Please let me know what I can to do to ease the transition.
I’m happy to help train my replacement, and can also provide a quick cheat sheet to the client list for anyone who’s taking over my duties on a temporary basis.
Thank you again for everything.
John Young
Resigning is never fun but one of those things that happen to the majority of us. Remember: stay professional – you’ll appreciate it in the long run. Best of luck to you!