How to write an excellent resignation letter (examples included)

How to write an excellent resignation letter (examples included)I quit. Jarrete. affengeil gebe auf. Me rindo. Whatever the language, the sentiment is the sameIm outta here. However, as a professional person, you need to express that maturely and firmlyideally, one that doesnt alienate anyone at the job youre leaving. Im sure we all have that fantasy where we tell off everyone who wronged us on the way out the door, but that person in the fantasy/movie/TV show never seems to have to live with the consequences afterward. Or meet up with said colleagues at an industry event, because the world is awkwardly small. So its in your best interest to make sure that your resignation letter is clear, concise, and polite. Here are some best practices you can follow to make your big exit a professional one. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Why a Resignation Letter?In these digital times, why should we submit a resignation letter, anyway? A paper trail does seem old-fashioned, but in this case, its a best practice. It makes your intentions clear, as well as the conditions. Youre removing any ambiguity about the end of your time there.And sure, this could be an email (all of the same principles would apply), but a letter makes things official in every sense. It also gives you a prop to take along to the face-to-face meeting with your boss, when you let him or her know that youre leaving. A resignation letter can also help your boss and your company departure the transition process, get a replacement for you approved, and start planning internally, etc. The paper trail is beneficial all around.So what should go into your letter? Lets look at some examples of what to do (and perhaps more importantly, what elend to do).Necessity 1 A Professional GreetingYour letter should be addressed to your boss. Theres a good chance that this letter will merely end up in a file in HR, but it starts with your boss. Assuming this is someone with who m you work reasonably close with on a daily basis, it doesnt have to be super stiff and formal. Specific and professional is the right tone here.For exampleDear Mary,Mary,Bad examplesDear Ms. Stone,Hey Mary,To whom it may concernDear Human Resources representative,Even if youre not close with your boss, chances are you have a working, first-name-basis relationship. Maintaining that in your official letter is okay. You dont need to keep a Victorian level of formality herejust make sure its a professional tone.Necessity 2 State Your IntentThe whole theme of your resignation letter is the statement that, well, you resign. You dont need to play coythe time has passed for you to fish around for a counteroffer if its gotten this far. At this point, youve made your decision to leave, and this letter needs to reflect that.For exampleI will be leaving my position as Customer Service representative.I resign my position as Customer Service representative.Bad examplesThe time has come for me to think about parting ways with this company.All good things must come to an end.I will not be coming in after August 30.You want your intent to be as direct as possible. You are leaving, plain and simple. Theres no need to mention where youre going. You can discuss that with your boss (though youre not obligated to do so) and your colleagues if you want, but theres little purpose for including that in your resignation letter. Thats especially true if youre moving over to a competitoryou dont want to create ill will in this letter or cause any drama.Necessity 3 Your End DateThe most crucial detail in a resignation letter is your end date. Legally and according to your companys policy, you might be required to give a minimum amount of notice (two weeks, or possibly more, depending on the company and the role). If thats the case, you dont want there to be any confusion about how much notice you give. If its right there in writing in a letter dated two weeks before your last day, youre saving yourself the hassle. It also starts the clock for your boss and your company, kicking off the transition plan of training, hiring, and otherwise covering your impending departure.For exampleMy last day in the amtsstube will be Tuesday, June 30.I am leaving my position as a Customer Service representative, effective June 30.Bad examplesI will be leaving in a few weeks.I will be leaving the company after a period of time. Here is my required notice in accordance with company policies.The bad examples here are all too vague. With the last one, youre aligning yourself with company policy, which is good, but it still doesnt tell the reader how much notice that actually is. Be as specific as possible on the time you have between now and your last day.Necessity 4 A Gracious ToneYour resignation letter is not the time to air grudges, take passive-aggressive shots, or otherwise be unpleasant. Regardless of how you feel about your (soon to be former) job or your boss, this letter shoul d be an exercise in professionalism and graciousness. An excellent way to do that is to say a simple thank you. Even if you hated your job, you got something from it at some point. Focus on that positive bit if you need to.On the flip side, if you loved your job, your coworkers, your boss, the cappuccino machine, everything about the place, dont write page upon page waxing rhapsodic about all that youre giving up by leaving. A brief, heartfelt compliment to the company, or a thank you, is fine.For exampleIve appreciated the opportunities Ive had here.Thank you so much for the opportunity to work and grow as part of the Customer Service team.This company has been a great home for me for the past six years, and I thank you for being a big part of that as my boss and mentor. Ive learned so much in my time here, and I know that this company will continue to grow and thrive.Bad examplesIve enjoyed SOME of my time here.I think we both know that this has been a terrible place to work, but I appreciate the opportunity.This is a great company, but the management leaves a lot to be desired, so I am leaving.I hope the next person in this position enjoys the challenges of micromanagement and stressful workloads that I have experienced in my time here.Youll have plenty of time to vent personally about your work grievances as you leave, but really, you stand to gain nothing by putting negativity into your resignation letter. And unless youre leaving the state and your current industry, you always run the risk of running into the same people later on. So youre far better off taking the high road and making sure your exit is a classy one.Necessity 5 Your End GameWhen you pranke in your resignation letter, it can kick off a bit of chaosyour position will need to be filled, but your duties will also need to be covered until they can replace you. As part of your resignation letter, its a good idea to convey what your availability is during that transitional period.For exampleOve r the next two weeks, I would like to work with you on training or any necessary transition duties as I wrap up my time here at the company. Bad exampleI will be available to train a replacement.I plan to be very busy until my last day.These are vague are you available to train a replacement anytime, even after your last day? Are you saying youll be too busy to help prepare someone else or that youll be busy helping with the transition? As with everything else in your resignation letter, clear and concise are the way to go.After that, youre ready to close out your letter and move on. The basic closings are fine hereagain, you dont need to go overly sentimental or formal, but you should also write as if it will be read by anyone at the company.For exampleSincerely,Best wishes,Bad examplesAdios,Bye Felicia,Warmest eternal regards,And with that signing flourish, youre done Youve resigned, and youre ready for your exciting new job. Lets recap the good example resignation letter as a who le.Dear Mary,Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation as a Customer Service representative. My last day in the office will be Tuesday, June 30.Working here has been an incredible opportunity, and it was not an easy decision to leave to pursue another opportunity. This company has been a great home for me for the past six years, and I thank you for being a big part of that as my boss and mentor. Ive learned so much in my time here, and I know that this company will continue to grow and thrive.Ahead of June 30, I would like to work with you on training or any necessary transition duties as I wrap up my time here at the company.Thanks again for the opportunity to be a member of this teamSincerely,David