By: Bill Wednieski
The moment you’ve been waiting for has finally come; you’ve been offered a new role!
Now, comes the sucky part. You have to voluntarily resign from your current position, and the most amicable way to do so is with a resignation letter and giving proper notice. Not only does your resignation letter serve as formal documentation, but it also keeps your HR file organized, and states for the record when your last day will be.
Stop stressing, I’ve got you covered for the following:
- How to write a quality resignation letter
- What length of notice should I give?
Resignation letter
Writing a resignation letter can bring a wave of emotions, both positive and negative, and feel daunting when it comes to exiting your current company. Let me help you simplify that process.
Your resignation letter should be concise and include only relevant and positive information. Skip spelling out what you are going to love about your next role. Take the time to reflect on your appreciation and express gratitude for the company you’re leaving behind – whether you believe it or not. Keep it simple and to the point. Straight up, if you don’t have anything genuinely positive to say, you can always say you learned a great deal (even if what you learned is how never to do something the same way this employer does it).
Steps to take when writing your resignation letter:
- Communicate that you are resigning from the company
- Clearly state when your last day will be at the company
- Make a statement of gratitude or reflect on your time at the company
- List your next steps to transition out of your role
- Sign it and date it
- Done! See, it’s not that hard
Sample resignation letter (feel free to cut and paste)
Employer name
Company address
Town / City
Dear (manager’s name),
First paragraph: Cover the basics
Please accept this letter of resignation from the position of (job title) at (company name). My last working day will be (leaving date).
Second paragraph: Express your gratitude.
Thank you very much for this opportunity. During my time with (company name), I have really enjoyed ________ or I’m grateful for the opportunity you’ve given me to ________.
Final paragraph: Offer help and remain positive.
In the time before my departure, I will prepare a list of my current responsibilities. Also, I would like to assist you in reviewing the job description for my position.
Thank you for my time with (company name). I wish you and (company name) all the best for the future.
Sincerely,
Your first and last name
Contact number or email address
Length of notice and when to resign
Should you give one week, two weeks, or more, or can you just quit effective immediately? As recruiters, we’ve seen it all.
Giving at least two weeks’ notice is still the gold standard. I’ve had some candidates actually give more time to wrap up projects and pass on their duties properly. Heads up, the longer you stay, typically the more awkward it gets. I’ve also encountered candidates who have quit on the spot because they feel that the company they currently work for doesn’t deserve the common courtesy of two weeks – don’t do this.
The timing for the delivery of the resignation letter is backed into when you want to or need to be done. Be prepared for the employer to say, “Today is your last day” or “There is no sense for you sticking around.”
Conclusion
Preparing and delivering a formal resignation letter and giving proper notice is both courteous and helpful to the employer. You don’t want to burn any bridges, even if you’re angry.
Show you have integrity, gratitude, and compassion, and help the exit process for both parties.
Bill Wednieski is the Managing Director for The Headhunters. Learn more here.