A good resignation letter is short: your decision, your last day after the notice period, sincere thanks and your readiness to hand over your work. Leave out complaints, submit it in writing and keep a copy that proves the date you handed it in.
Step by step
- 1
Tell your manager first
Speak to your direct manager before the letter reaches them or they hear the news from someone else.
- 2
The basic details
The date, the name of your direct manager or the HR department, and your name and job title.
- 3
The decision sentence
One clear sentence saying you are resigning from your position and that your last working day will be a specific date you state.
- 4
Work out the notice period
Set your last working day according to the notice period in your contract and your country's labor law before you write the date.
- 5
Thanks and handover
A line thanking them for the opportunity, and a line on your readiness to hand over your tasks and train your replacement in the remaining period.
- 6
Submit it and keep proof
Hand it in writing the way your company requires, and keep a copy showing the date it was received, or an email that proves it.
Your resignation letter stays in your file, and one day you may need an experience certificate or a reference from the same company. Complaints and criticism in it hurt you more than they hurt the company.
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