Along with the excitement of a new role, writing a letter of resignation will appear like a bridge to cross before moving onto your next career goal.
Still, like every reason for resigning, it’s important to keep a professional approach. Even though your boss does not demand any written notification, but, writing a resignation letter will improve your professional status and support a strong working relationship with your boss.
Writing a resignation letter is a courtesy that will help you to maintain a positive and healthy relationship with your manager that is important if you want to use it as a reference or keep them as the networking contact. In this post, we will learn why it is important to write a resignation letter, how to write a resignation letter in 3 parts, what you should and should not include in your resignation letter, and the resignation letter sample. Let us start:
Why Write One?
A letter of resignation is the most efficient way of sending the document to many departments and keeping relevant parties informed about your departure. If your letter is courteous and straightforward, your employer will be highly impressed with this gesture and gratified for the information. If it is written in a constructive tone, it will bring indefinable benefits down the line, like positive appraisals through word of mouth, letters of recommendation, and can also help you come back to the same company.
Now, let us look at how to write a best resignation letter in 3 parts:
- Part 1
Understand the Basics of Your Resignation Letter
You do not have to sugarcoat and get creative right in the start; only state the position you are resigning from & effective date. If you already have shared your reasons for resigning from the job, you do not have to describe it again here—just keep it simple.
- Part 2
Thank You Part
It is always good to thank your boss or manager for this wonderful opportunity, by describing key things that you have learned and enjoyed on the work. And yes, it is true even though you are thrilled to leave. Always remember—you might need these people at some time for reference, and if you leave on a friendly note it can create a long-lasting impression.
- Part 3
Final Hand-off
Lastly, state your readiness to help with this transition. You do not have to go in minute detail (and don’t promise things you cannot deliver), but some lines stating you will ensure smooth wrap-up from your duties can show you are in a game until the end.
What Should You Include in Your Letter?
If you have decided to resign from your current job, it is important to resign professionally and gracefully. Here is what you should include when you are writing a resignation letter:
- Intent to Resign: It is important to give enough notice to your boss, draft an official resignation letter, and get ready to move on before submitting your resignation. Make sure your resignation letter begins with a fact that you are resigning.
- Last Day of Work: A resignation letter will not just describe an employee’s intent to resign but also give information about their last day of work or other details and requests. This relieves the transition for the employee and employer both.
- Offer to Help with the Transition: Many times resignation letters can offer to help with the transition, no matter if it is by training or recruiting a replacement. Like this, both the employer and employee will leave the matter with a sense of amicability and respect.
- Provide Contact Details: You must include your personal details so that it becomes simple for the organization to get in contact with you.
What Should You Avoid?
It’s possible your employer may store your letter with other files, and it can be referred to in the future if any company requests for a reference. If this is a case, then overly critical or poorly written resignation letter has complete potential to have a great impact on your career after you have moved on from the current job.
- Never explain why you want to leave.
- Never brag about what you are doing next.
- Never vent about the downsides of your job, the company, or your coworkers.
- Stick to basics, one page is more than enough.
- Never send an unedited letter with a lot of errors.
Keep your tone professional and positive, and your letter of resignation won’t work against you ever in the future.
Tips to Write a Resignation Letter
The common consensus on resignation letters is, shorter the better. You do not have to provide any long-winded explanation about why you are leaving. Instead, it is good to be professional, direct, and outline important details about your termination process.
Helpful tips to write a resignation letter:
- Stay direct and at the right point – a state in your first paragraph that you are leaving (or in the first sentence)
- Give last day notice – provide the specific date that you agree to work until
- Be professional – don’t use it as an opportunity to insult, complain, and criticize your company and other employees
- Proofread & spell check – Make sure to proofread your letter before submitting and ensure all information is right and no typos
- Provide details about your transition – you can offer to help out find the replacement, or you may agree to finish some projects or tasks before quitting
- Get legal advice – That depends upon your position, you might want to take professional legal suggestion about the resignation process
Resignation Letter Sample
Dear (Employer Name),
I am writing to hand over my official notice that I will be leaving my position as (Your Position) for (Company Name) on (Date).
I have received a job offer as (Your Designation) at a startup, and after giving a lot of consideration I am really thrilled to discover this new trail in my career drive.
I am thankful for the opportunities that I have been given working with the team for the past (No. of years worked) years. It has been an amazing experience of working for a great organization and helping to solve the company’s mission to offer better support for their older employees.
If I am of any help during this transition, please let me know. Thank you for your guidance. Wishing you the best!
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
Wrap Up
A resignation letter is a most functional document that is used in several exit situations. Normally, this document mentions that your time for a particular position will end in a few days. Get prepared for any situations and modify the letter to match your situation.
