How to Write a Resignation Letter

Resigning

You have found your dream job, and it is time to move on! The company you work for is the worst! Bad pay, bad conditions. . . even the toilet paper in the company restroom is bad! You decide to write your letter of resignation and give those people who made your life so miserable for years a piece of your mind. Take this job and. . . wait a second. That is not the way to write a good letter of resignation. In this lesson, we'll look at the right way to resign from a position.

Why Write a Resignation Letter?

You want to leave your present employer as a friend. No matter how badly they treated you or how much you disliked a workplace, burning a bridge may seem like the right approach but it will probably hurt you in the future.

When you write a resignation letter and attach your signature, it is a legal document that says you will no longer be working for your employer, and it is understood that they will no longer be paying you. The letter will go into your personnel file and could be used when future employers call your former employer for a reference. That is why it is important to know how to write a good resignation letter and to always be polite.

Writing a Resignation Letter

1. Be polite but direct and to the point. Keep it simple.
2. If it is a paper letter, your address and the address of the company should be in the letter. Clearly write the date you submit the letter.
3. Introduction (you are leaving the company or organization).
4. Body (clear dates when you are leaving and complying with a notification period). This changes by job and country but most employers in the United States ask for 30 days notice. Many people might want to give the name of the new position or their reasons for leaving.
This is not necessary and usually complicates the letter.
5. No matter how bad the experience was, thank your employer for their time. Again, this is NOT an opportunity to passive-aggressively attack the company: It has been so wonderful working here (and I cannot wait to get out of here). Be sincere.
6. An offer of assistance during the transition period. Even though you are leaving, you are still employed by the company, and this builds goodwill for the future.
7. Formal closing, usually something more endearing, like 'regards' or 'kind regards' than just 'sincerely' and 'yours sincerely,' but these are fine as well.
8. Full signature at the bottom (full name for email, full signature for paper).

Resignation Letter Template

Dear John, (your boss' name, usually first name)

Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation as (your position) from (company or organization name) as of (date you will leave and complying with resignation period).

Thank you for the experience and guidance I have received at (company name). It has been a good experience working with (company name), and I appreciate the guidance you have shown me.

Please let me know how I can assist during the transition period.

Sincerely, (regards, kind regards)

Email Resignation Example

Dear John,

Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from XYZ Corporation as of January, 30, 2017.

Thank you for the experience and opportunities I have received at XYZ Corporation. It has been a good experience working with XYZ, and I appreciate the guidance you have shown me.

Please let me know how I can assist during the transition period.

Kind regards,

Elizabeth Smith

Paper Resignation

Here is an example of a paper resignation.

Email or Paper?

Many people wonder if they should submit a letter of resignation by a formal paper format or by email. Email is instant while paper might give you more time to think. The basic rules are the same but in a paper letter of resignation, it is important that you clearly write your address, the company address and the date. In email, it is understood who it is, where it is going, and the date.