How to Write a Resignation Letter (With Samples)

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Updated on July 10, 2021

Are you ready to resign from your job? It's always a good idea to write a resignation letter to formalize the details of your departure. But what is a resignation letter, and why should you write one? What should you include, and when do you need to provide notice to a soon-to-be former employer?

Here's information on writing a resignation letter, along with samples and templates to use to write your own letter.

What is a Resignation Letter?

A resignation letter is a document that notifies your employer that you are leaving your job. It formalizes your departure from your current employment, and can be written as a printed letter or an email message.

How to Write a Resignation Letter

When youresign from your job, it's important to resign gracefully and professionally. However, you don't need to include a lengthy explanation. Keep your letter or email simple and focused on the facts. Here's what to include in your letter:

Your Intent to Resign:Giveadequate notice to your employer, write aformal resignation letter, and be prepared to move on prior to submitting your resignation. Your letter should start with the fact that you're resigning.
Your Last Day of Employment:Resignation letters not only describe the employee’s intent to leave but also provide information about the last day to be worked and other requests or details. This eases the transition for both employer and employee.
An Offer to Assist with the Transition:Often, resignation letters will also offer to help in the transition, whether it be by recruiting or training a replacement. In this way, both the employee and the employer can leave the situation with closure and a sense of respect and amicability.

Your Contact Information:Include your personal contact information, so it's easy for the company to get in touch with you.

To maintain a positive and graceful exit, a letter of resignation will often thank the employer for the opportunities provided and mention experiences gained at the company or how the employee enjoyed their time there.

What Not to Include in Your Letter

辞职f字母不是一个合适的地方or complaints or critiques of the employer or co-workers. Keep it simple, stick to the facts, and don't complain. It's important to leave on a positive note because you may need a reference from the employer.

这里有一个列表what else shouldn't be included in your resignation letter.

Resignation Letter Samples

Review some of thebest resignation letter examplesto get ideas for your own letter to use to resign from employment. There are general resignation letters, email messages, letters specifying a reason for leaving, and many other examples to use to announce that you are leaving a job.

Basic Resignation Letters

The following are general resignation letters that can be used for any circumstances. They are short and to the point.

Resignation Letter Examples With a Reason

Review resignation letters that provide a specific reason for leaving, and letters and email messages for special circumstances, including no notice and short notice.

Short Notice Letters: Although many employers expect their personnel to provide two weeks’ notice before leaving their jobs, sometimes this simply isn’t feasible. Here’s how to resign with little or no notice.

To Pursue Better Opportunities:People are often prompted to take the risk of quitting their jobs when they know that better opportunities await.

You can explain why you’re leaving without reflecting negatively upon your current employer.

For Family Reasons and Medical Reasons:Major life changes like marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, andhealth issuesare common (and understandable) reasons why people feel it necessary to leave their jobs.

Because of Organizational Restructuring: Changes in one’s workplace aren’t always easy to weather. If, after a change in management or organization, you feel like it’s time to move on, these examples will help you to structure a tactful letter of resignation. There’s also a sample of a manager’s acceptance of resignation.

To Resign From Short-Term Positions:Sometimes, you know from your first day of work that you won’t be enjoying a long tenure with an employer, either because of the work climate itself or because it’s understood that the job is temporary or seasonal.

Retirement:You’re ready to retire—congratulations! Have a look at these examples when you know your working days are over.

Retirement

How to Resign with Grace:Even if you experienced negativity in your job from others, it’s best to resign from one’s position gracefully and with gratitude. You want to leave the organization on a good footing, for you never know when you might need to ask for a letter of recommendation or referral.

How to Resign from Specific Positions:Here are a few examples of how to resign from specific occupations.

Email Resignation Messages and Announcements

Reviewresignation email message examplesand sample resignation announcements to use to resign from employment and to inform colleagues and clients that you are leaving your job.

Farewell to Co-Workers Letters

Review these letters for examples of how to let co-workers know you're moving on to a new position and provide them with your contact information.

Resignation Letter Template

You candownload the resignation letter template(compatible with Google Docs and Word) to use as a starting point for your own letter.

Download the Resignation Letter Template

@ The Balance 2020

Resignation Letter Template (Text Version)

Joseph Q. Hunter
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-212-1234
josephq@email.com

August 7, 2020

Jane Smith
Senior Manager
Johnson's Furniture Store
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Ms. Smith,

I would like to notify you that I am resigning from my position as Assistant Manager for Johnson's Furniture Store effective August 21.

Thank you very much for the opportunity you’ve given me to learn all about store management and proper customer service. I have genuinely enjoyed my time with the company, and I believe the experience has taught me much about the furniture industry as well as how to effectively manage employees.

Next month I will be taking a position as a manager of a new retail store, but in the meantime, I will be happy to assist in the transition of a new Assistant Manager.

Sincerely,

Joseph Q. Hunter(signature hard copy letter)

Joseph Q. Hunter

More Resignation Letter Templates

These are templates you can use as a starting point for your own letter.

When to Give the Letter to Your Employer

It's polite to send this letter out well in advance of your departure (especially as required by contract), withtwo weeks in advance being generally acceptedas the minimum unless there are circumstances where youneed to resign without advance noticeor with short notice.

If you tellyour boss in person that you're resigning, have a printed copy ready to share. When you work remotely or resign with short notice, however,you can send your resignation via email.

辞职守则

How should you resign from your job? How about what you shouldn't do when turning in your resignation? Here'swhat you should (and what you shouldn't) dowhen resigning from your job.

How to Handle Your Departure

You have found a new job, and you're ready to givetwo-weeks noticeto your current employer. Here's how tohandle your departure.