Quitting a job can be emotional, but your resignation letter should not be. This letter goes into your permanent HR file. You never know when you might cross paths with your manager or colleagues again, so the goal is to leave on a positive, professional note.
What to include in a resignation letter
A professional resignation letter only needs four pieces of information:
- The statement of resignation: A clear statement that you are resigning from your position.
- Your last day: The exact date of your final day of work (usually two weeks from the date of the letter).
- Gratitude: A brief thank you for the opportunity.
- Transition plan: An offer to help with the transition before you leave.
What to leave out
Do not include:
- Why you are leaving: You do not need to explain that you got a better offer or that you hate the commute. Keep it vague ("to pursue another opportunity").
- Where you are going: You are not obligated to tell them the name of your new employer in this letter.
- Complaints: If you had a terrible manager or hated the company culture, save it for a constructive exit interview (or just let it go). Do not put it in writing here.
Template 1: The Standard Two-Week Notice
This is the gold standard. It is polite, covers all the bases, and leaves the door open for future networking.
Dear [Manager's Name],
Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am resigning from my position as [Your Title] at [Company Name]. My last day of employment will be [Your Last Day, e.g., Friday, November 14th].
Thank you so much for the opportunity to work in this position for the past [Amount of Time]. I have genuinely appreciated my time on the team and have learned a great deal about [mention something you learned or enjoyed, e.g., scaling marketing operations].
During my final two weeks, I am fully committed to ensuring a smooth transition. I will wrap up my duties and am happy to assist in training other team members or documenting my current processes before I leave.
I wish you and the company all the best, and I hope we can stay in touch.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Template 2: The Short & Sweet
If you have a very brief tenure at the company, or if you simply prefer to keep things as concise as possible, use this version.
Dear [Manager's Name],
Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from the position of [Your Title] at [Company Name]. My last day will be [Your Last Day].
Thank you for the support and opportunities you have provided me during my time here. I wish the team continued success.
Please let me know how I can best assist with the transition over the next two weeks.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
How to deliver the news
Never let your manager find out you are resigning by reading an email. The professional way to resign is to tell your manager verbally first (in a 1-on-1 meeting or video call), and then immediately follow up with the formal resignation letter via email.
The script for the meeting: "I wanted to let you know that I've accepted an offer at another company, so I'll be resigning. My last day will be [Date]. I'll send over the formal letter right after this meeting, but I wanted to tell you face-to-face first."
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