Sample Job Resignation Letter
When circumstances dictate that you need to resign from your job, it is customary to provide your employer with a letter of resignation. This may be only a courtesy, however, it always is helpful to leave a job on as good terms as possible. You never know when you will need a reference from this employer. Even if you are leaving on unpleasant terms, you can craft a decent and polite letter of resignation.
There are several letter forms you can choose from for this purpose. There is the formal statement, and the informal statement. You can include two weeks notice, or not. You can offer the employer options, such as your willingness to train a replacement, or to stay a little longer if needed. You may want to give a reason for your departure, or not. You can express regret or not. Be sure to include contact information.
Briefly, the sample job resignation letter looks like the following:
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Date: (insert current date)
Dear (Mr., Mrs., Ms.)(Name or Official Title):
Please accept my resignation effective (date). I have enjoyed my stay at (company name), but I have accepted a position with another company that will offer me better (opportunity)(use of my skills)(hours, and pay).
Please let me know if there is any way I can help the company (train a new person for my job)(make this transition easier). Thank you again for the opportunity to work with (company name).
If there are any questions, or you need to contact me, please (mail)(email)(phone) me at the following (address)(email)(phone).
Sincerely,
(Your name, contact info)
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If you do not want to be specific about your reason for leaving that is fine. You can just say (I must terminate my employment with (company name)). It may be helpful to your employer if you do explain your reasons, especially if there is a job related problem, such as interpersonal problems with other employees or a manager. Knowing why you are leaving may help them with hiring the replacement, or adjusting the job conditions for future employees.
Most people leave for a number of reasons, including finding a better job or pay, moving away, better use of their skills, chance for advancement, or an illness or disability. In the case of the latter, your employer probably already is aware that you may be leaving for medical reasons.
Include contact information so they can send you your W-2 forms at the end of the year for taxes, and if there are any questions they may need answered after you move on. It always helps to leave on a high note, a positive, rather than a negative. You may need a referral later from this employer.
How to Write a Resignation Letter
A resignation letter is a statement to your current employer, announcing your departure as an employee. It is highly recommended, that the letter be typed not hand written for professionalism. There are many ways in which a person can write a resignation letter, however for the most part they all include the same points. First of all you will want to make sure the receiving persons name and address appears following the date of the letter usually in the left margin of your letter. Once you have this done you will want to start your letter with gratitude. State all the things you are grateful for, from the company, and state all the things you learned, as well as, the things you will miss about working for the company, then end this paragraph with a positive thank you to the company, for having you as an employee. Remember to maintain a respectful, positive attitude throughout your letter, so that you are in turn respected. Also it is important to keep your letter shorter rather than long, no more than a page. Next, you will want to give the exact date that you plan on resigning, it is usually recommended that a person give a two week notice, so that the employer has time to replace you. In some cases you may be needed to train the person who will take your place. Also keep in mind that you will want a good performance review from this employer for your resume, so it’s important to leave the employer as a professional, acting with respect and maturity, much in the same way you came for the interview. Now that you have mastered that you are ready to explain, in a very short, and to the point statement, your reason for unfortunately resigning your position. It is recommended to stay clear of negative, or critical remarks, instead just state a brief reason for why you have chosen to end your journey as an employee. If you choose you may now explain the opportunities that await you, sometimes knowing that the employee is departing for a beneficial reason helps the employer have a great understanding. Next you will want to go back to positive things like, wishing the company your best, and listing a few achievements that you made working for the company, and again express your extreme gratitude for the time you spent working for the company. Then you are ready for the closing line. You may choose from a variety of words such as sincerely, respectfully, regretfully…..yours, and then put your name and if you choose enter your address after and underneath. The last thing you will want to do is, with a pen go ahead and sign your name under your typed name. Using all of these tips will likely create a successful letter of resignation, helping you maintain a excellent employee review, and reference when you move on to another place of employment. Good luck with writing your letter of resignation.