HomeCareer AdviceSample Resignation Letter: How to Quit Your Job with a Resignation Letter

Sample Resignation Letter: How to Quit Your Job with a Resignation Letter

Author

Date

Category

There comes a time in most people’s lives to resign from a job and move on to a new one. If I do say so myself, I craft a beautiful resignation letter — probably because I have resigned from a few different jobs (a library, a bank, three restaurants, and a retail store, to name a few!).

Regardless of how menial and stressful you believe your job to be, I think everyone benefits when an employee crafts a professional resignation letter.

This month, I have resigned from three jobs: I called the woman I babysit for, because I felt that was more appropriate for the situation; I emailed the community center where I teach dance, because I am seasonal and would not be in the building until the first day of classes; and finally, I turned in a printed letter to the restaurant where I work today, and spoke with both my direct manager and the general manager. Resigning in a professional manner has many benefits.

Use the sample resignation letter below as a template for your own letter. Be sure to rewrite the letter to fit your particular employment situation.

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email

Date

Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my position as Account Executive for the Smith Agency, effective [date].

Thank you very much for the opportunities for professional and personal development that you have provided me during the last five years. I have enjoyed working for the agency and appreciate the support provided me during my tenure with the company.

If I can be of any help during this transition, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Your Signature (hard copy letter)

Your Typed Name

Best resignation letter sample

If you’re not sure how to write a resignation letter, use this sample for inspiration:

Joanna Leach
18 Hillside Drive | Sometown, MA 55555 | Phone: 555-555-5555 | [email protected]

[Date]

Ms. Joyce Michaels
CEO
ABC Company
15 Main St.
Sometown, MA 55555

Dear Joyce,

Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as staff accountant. My last day of employment will be [date].

I received an offer to serve as senior accountant of a Fortune 500 company, and after careful consideration, I realize that this opportunity is too exciting for me to decline.

It has been a pleasure working with you and your team over the last three years. One of the highlights of my career was collaborating with you to automate ABC Company’s accounting, financial and balance systems and setting up your accounting infrastructure. Your company is poised for continued growth and I wish you much success with your upcoming acquisition of XYZ Company.

I would like to help with the transition of my accounting duties so that systems continue to function smoothly after my departure. I am available to help recruit and train my replacement, and I will make certain that all reporting and records are updated before my last day of work.

Joyce, thank you again for the opportunity to work for ABC Company. I wish you and your staff all the best and I look forward to staying in touch with you. You can email me anytime at [email protected] or call me at 555-555-5555.

Sincerely,

 

Joanna Leach

Resignation Letter Tips

When writing a professional resignation letter, it's important to keep some tips in mind.

Tips for When You are Quitting Your Job:

Here are common questions people ask when resigning from their job:

  • How do I write a short letter of resignation? You should keep the letter of resignation short and professional, provide reasons for leaving (optional), remain polite, thank the employer for the role, offer to help in the transition period, and avoid personal criticism. Lastly, you'll want to end the resignation letter on a positive note.
  • How do you resign from a job? In order to gracefully quit your job you'll want to write a resignation letter, tell your manager, quite in person and bring the resignation letter with you, and be sure to give at least 2 weeks' notice.
  • Can I email my resignation letter? It's better to resign in person and provide a formal resignation letter. If you need to resign via email, it can be done, but typically it is better to resign in person with a letter.
  • What are good reasons to give for leaving a job? In your resignation letter, you can say you are leaving your job because you are looking for better career prospects, professional growth and work opportunities. You can also state that you are seeking a change in career direction or looking for new challenges at work.

A resignation letter lets you tell your side of the story. I had originally intended on remaining in my restaurant job for at least another year. A job offer presented itself, however, and there was no way for me to continue my employment at the restaurant with my new schedule. The letter I wrote allowed me to address the reasons I was leaving in my own words, without worrying about someone interrupting me or mishearing them. This limits misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

A resignation letter is your paper trail. You can always look back and remember why you quit a certain job, or when you turned in your notice. This also gives your employer a record of when and why you left. Doing so may allow your employer to look back in your file and give a better recommendation to someone calling on your behalf for a future job.

A resignation letter, when polite, lets you leave on a good note. I verbally told my manager that I was resigning, then handed him my letter. He seemed confused until he opened it and read — then told me that he had only received two letters of resignation in all his years of restaurant management. Sadly, in the foodservice industry, it is quite common for verbal “two week notices” to be stated, followed by the employee promptly not showing up for shifts or giving up all shifts to other employees. By making my intentions clear in the written letter, I am making it clear that I respect my employers and want them to know I am dependable until the date I stated in my letter.

What is your experience with resigning? Did you give two week’s notice?

Want to learn how to make an extra $100?

  • Survey Junkie: Earning $55,000 might sound like a lofty goal … but with a company called Survey Junkie, it’s possible to get your share of it every day by taking their simple surveys. It's not just a quirky idea—online market research surveys have been a recognized method for earning additional income. You can sign up now and earn money online by taking surveys. You’ve got nothing to lose.

Recent posts