How to write a resignation letter with examples, templates, + tips
Quitting a job is a huge milestone for anyone in their career path: It marks the beginning of a pivotal change. Putting your best foot forward with a well-written resignation letter is the best course of action after deciding to leave a job.
In April 2021, a record number of 4 million people quit their jobs. Recent data has shown that almost 40% of white-collar employees would rather leave their job than sacrifice remote work.
For those considering quitting and wondering how to write a resignation letter, it can be a very daunting process. Making the final decision to leave a job is the first step in prioritizing your career above all else.
What to include in a resignation letter
The best resignation letters are brief and include the necessary information for your employer to plan the coming weeks as your employment comes to an end. Make sure to include the following elements for a concise and formal resignation letter.
1. Begin with the statement of resignation
After beginning the letter with the date and who it is addressed to, open your letter with a statement of resignation.
Ex: Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my role at [company name].
2. Mention your last day of work
Following your statement of resignation, you will want to include the last day of employment at the company.
Ex: My last day will be [final date of employment].
3. Make sure to thank them
Be sure to thank your employer for the opportunity to grow your skills, expand your knowledge, and learn about the industry.
Ex: Thank you for the opportunity to work at [company name] for the past [time frame] as I have learned so much about [industry].
4. Show support for the team
Along with gratitude for the work experience, it’s important to show support for the team until your final day by saying you will complete any tasks or projects that need to be finished.
Ex: I ensure that all my responsibilities will be completed to the best of my ability and I offer my support during this transition.
5. Include your signature
The last component of your resignation letter is a sign-off where you include your signature as well as your contact information.
Ex: Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Printed name]
[Contact information]
Table of Contents
What not to include
A successful resignation notice includes the elements mentioned above, but it's crucial to only include relevant details and stay brief. Take a look at what not to include in your letter in order to present yourself in a professional manner.
- Complaints about your current company
- Suggestions for what the company can do better
- Reasons why you’re leaving
- Your next steps
- Spelling and grammar errors
5 resignation letter examples and templates for every situation
Your resignation letter will typically vary based on the reason for your resignation: Whether that be receiving a new job offer or pursuing a new industry, the following resignation letter examples and templates can help you tackle this transition with ease.
1. Resigning when you receive a new job offer
[Current date]
[Manager name]
[Company name]
[Address]
Dear [Manager name],
Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from [company name] as a [job position]. My last day is [date].
I recently received an offer for a [job position] role elsewhere, and after careful consideration I have decided to move forward with the position.
Thank you for the opportunity to work in this role for the past [time frame]. I have enjoyed the experience and appreciated the opportunities I’ve had to grow as a [role]. I have learned so much about [job functions] and will certainly take what I learned at [company name] throughout my career.
I will be sure to provide support to my colleagues and complete my duties as a [job position] in my final [time left]. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help make this a smooth transition.
I wish [company name] the best in their future endeavors and I hope to stay in touch.
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Printed name]
[Contact information]
Directions:
- Make a copy of this template by going to File > Make a copy.
- Once you have made a copy, you are able to edit.
- Write that resignation letter!
2. Resigning when you are quitting to travel
[Current date]
[Manager name]
[Company name]
[Address]
Dear [Manager name],
I am writing to you today to provide the formal resignation from my role as [job position] at [company name]. My last day is [date].
I have decided to take time away from my career to pursue my passion for travel and hope to grow my cultural awareness in this endeavor.
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities that this position has provided me to learn more about [industry] and improve my skills as a [job position]. It has been a rewarding experience to work for a company such as [company name] and help us achieve [company goal].
Please do not hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do to ease this transition and I sincerely hope that we can keep in touch. I wish everyone at [company name] the absolute best of luck.
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Printed name]
[Contact information]
Directions:
- Make a copy of this template by going to File > Make a copy.
- Once you have made a copy, you are able to edit.
- Write that resignation letter!
3. Resigning when your family needs support
[Current date]
[Manager name]
[Company name]
[Address]
Dear [Manager name],
Please accept this letter as a formal resignation from my role as a [job position] at [company name]. My last day is [date].
Given recent family circumstances, I have decided to take time away from my career to focus on providing my close relatives with support during this difficult time.
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities that this position has provided me to learn more about [industry] and improve my skills as a [job position]. It has been a rewarding experience to work for a company such as [company name] and help us achieve [company goal].
Please do not hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do to ease this transition and I sincerely hope that we can keep in touch. I wish everyone at [company name] the absolute best of luck.
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Printed name]
[Contact information]
Directions:
- Make a copy of this template by going to File > Make a copy.
- Once you have made a copy, you are able to edit.
- Write that resignation letter!
4. Resigning when you are changing industries
[Current date]
[Manager name]
[Company name]
[Address]
Dear [Manager name],
I am writing to you today to provide my formal resignation from my role as [job position] at [company name]. My last day is [date].
I’ve recently decided to pursue a different industry, as this is something I have been interested in for some time. I hope to expand my knowledge beyond [current industry] in hopes of acquiring a wider breadth of experience.
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities that this position has provided me to learn more about [current industry] and improve my skills as a [job position]. It has been a rewarding experience to work for a company such as [company name] and help us achieve [company goal]. I am positive that my experience at [company name] will prove enormously beneficial in the next industry I will pursue.
Please do not hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do to ease this transition and I sincerely hope that we can keep in touch. I wish everyone at [company name] the absolute best of luck.
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Printed name]
[Contact information]
Directions:
- Make a copy of this template by going to File > Make a copy.
- Once you have made a copy, you are able to edit.
- Write that resignation letter!
5. Resigning when you’re leaving the workforce
[Current date]
[Manager’s name]
[Company name]
[Address]
Dear [manager name],
Please accept this letter as a formal notification of my resignation from my role as [job position] at [company name]. My last day will be [date].
After [years in workforce] years in [industry], I’ve decided to step back from my career and focus on my personal life. I intend to prioritize spending time with my family and close friends after a significant amount of time in the workforce.
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities that this position has provided me to learn more about [industry] and improve my skills as a [job position]. It has been a rewarding experience to work for a company such as [company name] and help us achieve [company goal]. I am positive that my experience at [company name] has made my time in the workforce all the more meaningful.
Please do not hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do to ease this transition and I sincerely hope that we can keep in touch. I wish everyone at [company name] the absolute best of luck.
Sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Printed name]
[Contact information]
Directions:
- Make a copy of this template by going to File > Make a copy.
- Once you have made a copy, you are able to edit.
- Write that resignation letter!
Wrapping up: resignation letter tips for success
With the rise of burnout and employee turnover during this transformative period, leaving an employer on good terms can help you build relationships and advance your career in the long run. This can ultimately bring you a glowing recommendation or a new opportunity through word of mouth. Whether you’re taking a break from the workforce or ready to jump into a new career, AngelList can help you find your next career move.
![a-deep-dive-into-the-great-resignation-ig][13]
The
Weekly
Newsletter
Sign up for a free Wellfound account to read more startup insights, research and discover companies, and find your dream job.
Already have an account?
Sign in.