50+ Sample Resignation Letters

What Is A Resignation Letter?

A resignation letter is a formal document that signals a person’s departure from a company or organization. It is a voluntary and deliberate decision to end employment with a particular company.

An article published on CIO shared a 2018 Gallup report saying that 53% of workers are only moderately satisfied with the work they do. However, they are not deeply connected and engaged to their work or workplace. And if given, they will jump at the chance of a better opportunity.   

5 Tips on Writing A Resignation Letter 

What makes a good resignation letter? How do you make a gracious exit in an acceptable way? What is a good reason to state in a letter of resignation? Whether your reason for leaving is a valid or difficult one, following these tips can help ensure your letter is grounded in reason and your emotions don’t cloud your judgment.

Highlight the Good: It doesn’t matter if you were with the company for 6 months or 6 years, you need to be able to distinguish the good and pick out the benefits of your experience- whether that be professional growth, a friendly and open office environment, or even just co-workers who made your stay pleasant and bearable. Be Grateful: Closely related to the first tip, being grateful resets the focus away from your problems to your gains, satisfaction and even enjoyment. Choose not to to dwell on what went wrong in your work, but the contribution you were able to give. Browse through dozens of  gratitude lists to get you reflecting. Take Action: Be open to help especially if you are leaving years worth of tasks, paperwork, etc. You can offer a smooth transition by recommending a replacement or training your successor. It’s important to state your willingness to help; it will add decency and courtesy to your letter. Be Professional: Avoid ranting no matter how painful the reason for your resignation may be. There is no need to write a review of the company in your resignation letter. Didn’t like your boss? Were the demands impossible and you didn’t get the support and mentoring you needed? Was work keeping you from your family and other meaningful aspects of your life? It’s important to acknowledge these personally but at the end of the day, are best left out of a formal letter. Keep It Short: You do not want to submit a long testimony explaining yourself or praising the company too much. A good resignation letter is brief and straightforward. Avoid going too much into details; since a general explanation is usually acceptable. Your letter should be no more than one page.

How To Write A Resignation Letter 

With the tips above, you can now begin crafting your letter. Keep in mind that a resignation letter is still a formal letter so be mindful of your format. It can still contain an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Follow these important steps:    

Step 1: Start With the Date and Person

When it comes to the recipient of the letter, it is typically addressed to your direct boss or immediate head. In some cases, it is addressed to the HR manager. Don’t forget to include the date and indicate the recipient’s designation and department. 

Step 2: Indicate Last Day 

It’s not absolutely necessary to justify your departure but it is important to give your boss and your team a head’s up of your intention to leave. This is to prevent any untoward disruption. Also consider the timing of handing in your notice. A one month notice is the usual practice; but it can vary depending on the nature of the work. Ensure you allow enough time for you to settle necessary matters such as turning over tasks and files, or training a replacement.   

Step 3: Offer To Help 

After informing your boss of your decision to leave, identify your next steps in the letter. You can be straightforward and honest but it’s also good to maintain an accommodating and cooperative tone. Offer to assist in any way you can in order to help with the transition or turnover of responsibilities. Set a deadline, if possible. You want your transition out of the company to be as smooth as possible.  

Step 4: Close and Sign 

End your letter with a short closing statement. You can end by expressing gratitude to the organization or wish the company well as you move forward in the next stage of your career. Do not forget to affix your signature with your name. Closing words like sincerely, respectfully or yours truly are usually acceptable.  

FAQs

How do I write a good resignation letter?

A good resignation letter chooses the positive over the negative. It shows appreciation and expresses goodwill to the company or organization. It’s not advisable to take things personally or use your resignation letter as payback. Keeping it short, general and respectful is still the best way to write a resignation letter.

How do I write a short letter of resignation?

Start with the date and addressee. It’s best to state that you are leaving the company in the first few sentences. Explain briefly that you are grateful for all the professional experience you’ve had the privilege of getting. Proceed to offer help with the transition period then end your letter by reiterating your gratitude or by wishing the company success and good fortune.

How do you resign from a job?

In some cases, you can give your immediate supervisor or manager a prior head’s up. It’s fine to express your intention to leave verbally but it’s always best to formally document it, so as to get your affairs in order and start the clearance process of officially breaking away from the company.

Closure does not have to be difficult. Leaving a job or company can leave you satisfied and fulfilled. It’s all about choosing to bring with you the good memories and using the unpleasant memories as important lessons moving forward. Let the simple templates above help you make a professional and effective resignation letter. Download one today!