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.
Why People Resign
So you’ve decided to quit your job, huh? Here’s a list of the most common reasons why people resign, and also good points to consider after filing your resignation letter and before finding a new job.
Location. How far is your workplace from your home? Most people tend to forget this very important factor, probably because they pay too much attention to how much salary they will be getting. Salary is vital too, but have you considered the travel time involved in your current/ future job? Make sure that your new job doesn’t entail a workplace which is farther than from where you reside.
Career Growth. One of the reasons why people resign too is because of the lack of a sense of fulfillment from their current jobs, especially if they don’t see themselves growing with the company. If this is your reason why you quit your current job, choose your next job carefully and make sure you are headed for a better career path.
Salary. A common mistake among new-hired employees or fresh graduates is finding a job with a high salary; only to realize that work experience is really what matters. Your value as an employee will eventually increase, depending on your skills and capabilities, of course.
Workplace friends. Believe it or not, friends in the office can be a very important on resigning too. These are the people whom you see everyday, and share a lot of stuff too. If you don’t jive with your officemates well and social skills are important to you, then this might cause you to resign.
To Quit or Not to Quit?
In the corporate setting, there comes a point in time when stress from work suddenly becomes too much for us to handle, even to the extent of affecting our personal lives. People resign from their jobs for a million reasons. Some people get tired of their daily routines that they feel like they’re not growing from it, some can’t stand the way their bosses treat them, some others may even feel like the pressure is too much to handle, while some others just have better opportunities at hand.
Whatever the reason is for filing a resignation, we must carefully weigh the pros and cons before finally coming up with a decision. The resignation should be to your benefit in a great deal too, because this decision might just change your future. Before you resign, here are some tips that might help you decide cautiously and hopefully, see things in a different light
To help you think clearly, make a list of reasons why you should stay, and another list on why you should quit. Secondly, think of other scenarios that might happen: would a promotion or a counteroffer from your current company make you stay? Try to involve your family friends into your decision too; because they are the people who know you, and they would contribute a lot to your thought about resigning. Lastly, think of your own happiness. If you don’t feel even a little bit of sadness about resigning, then that should answer your question.
“The Ideal Resignation Letter”
You’ve been scouting the Internet and other books for the best resignation letters because you are quitting your job soon. You’ve also realized that there is no such thing as the perfect resignation letter, so here are some suggestions on how to make your resignation letter leave a good impression on your bosses.
Be honest. State the reason why you decided to resign from your post and make it sound like it was a hard decision to make and you had no choice. If the reason is too personal and you’d rather keep it private, then you may use the “personal reasons” card. Just be sure to be ready for an answer when the time comes for your exit interview. Maintain a formal tone throughout the resignation letter.
Allot a period of time for turnover of materials as well as finding a replacement and stick to it. Don’t put a month if you plan to stay for a couple of weeks. State in the letter about your willingness to stay a bit longer if the need arises to assist them in finding a substitute for you.
Keep a signed copy of the letter for yourself, and send copies to all those concerned like the human resources manager. This will normally go into your file, so in case the boss loses the letter, at least the HR department still has it.
End the letter on a positive note. An ideal resignation letter usually finishes by expressing your appreciation and gratitude to their efforts during your tenure. This will be handy especially when you put your boss as your reference.
Resigning Don’ts
There are a lot of tips on how to make a graceful exit from your current job, but here are some of the stuff you should avoid when resigning:
Don’t write a negative resignation letter. No matter how bad your experience is with the company, don’t ever mention it in your letter. Not only will this make a bad impression on the bosses, but you might also not get a reference when you do this. Don’t include personal remarks on a resignation letter because this is impolite.
Don’t announce your resignation to your co-workers. After you’ve made up your mind about resignation, don’t inform your colleagues because this might make things more complicated. Never inform your colleagues ahead before your bosses too.
Don’t leave abruptly after the resignation. Make sure to take care of the official documents like the contract of employment, your clearance and most especially, finish your exit interview. These official documents might also be needed for your next job. Allow two to four weeks grace period before leaving the company, or as stated in your company rules and regulations. If the company won’t be able to give you the official documents as well as your last pay, then set a future appointment with the human resources and promise to come back.
Don’t get too personal. Bear in mind that your actions will be filed in your permanent employee records which are crucial to your future jobs. Make sure to talk to all your colleagues and associates before leaving. You’ll never know if you will work with them in the future.
Resigning Do’s
You’ve finally got a better job offer from another company-which means better opportunities, and all that’s missing is filing a resignation. The following is a rundown of resigning do’s and other tips on resigning with etiquette.
Do speak with your boss or immediate supervisor before resigning. This is ethical, plus will make them realize that you are honest and concerned about the company up to the last minute. Making your resignation come up as a surprise to them is also not good, because the company might not have ample time to find a replacement.
Do file a written resignation letter. Although resigning orally is acceptable for some firms, a detailed, written letter of resignation is more formal and is standard. Do keep the tone of the letter positive too. Even if you are leaving the company due to negative circumstances, those shouldn’t be included in the letter. If this is inevitable, then pick your words carefully and keep the letter as brief as possible.
Do make a list of your tasks and responsibilities before leaving. This list will be helpful and will serve as a guide to the one who will be taking over your position. Your boss will also appreciate this because this will mean less training efforts from their end.
Do thank the company and the bosses before leaving. More often than not, employees forget the contributions the company made to them, either financially or personally. The bosses will also appreciate your gratitude, and they will also give you a good reference.
Resignation Letter Essentials
Resigning is not that hard to do, but writing the letter will make leaving your job official and will ultimately say a lot about your etiquette. Here are some of the essentials that are needed to write a professional resignation letter and exit gracefully from your job.
First and foremost, decide on the tone of your resignation letter. Decide if you want it to be straightforward, concise, and most of all focused and factual. State the real reason why you are quitting your job, as well as how long you are staying in the company. State if you are willing to extend your resignation, and more importantly, if your resignation is final and irrevocable.
To make your letter more optimistic, mention your achievements in the letter as well. State that these achievements helped mold your career and that you take pride in these milestones. Consider this as the last positive impression that your company will remember about you.
When ending your letter, thank your employer for the opportunities the company offered you during the duration of your employment. Don’t forget to include your handwritten signature at the bottom of your letter.
Lastly, be prepared for mixed reactions, especially from your immediate superior. Before even filing your resignation, you should also consider their reactions, if you are willing to take up on their counter-offers, etc. If they didn’t see your resignation coming, they might also be surprised and might take it personally. Whatever their reaction is, try to stay positive, firm and calm throughout the whole process.
“Resign Smoothly”
Burnout, stress, change of career path or simply getting bored at work- these are just some of the most popular reasons why employees decide to quit their jobs. After putting much thought into your resigning from your job, here are other details that you need to take note of for before you exit from your company.
There is absolutely no need for you to feel guilty after resigning from your job, or be afraid that your boss might hate you for your decision. Before even sending that resignation letter, you should be firm with your decision and understand that it happens often to employees all the time.
If a counteroffer comes up, make sure to review the offer before accepting it. To help you make a choice, think of the genuine reason why you are leaving. Counteroffers are attractive, because they are meant to flatter employees and prevent them from leaving, but there are also some cons that might affect you in the future. The counteroffer might also be just a way to make you stay for a while, but in the event that the company experiences budget constraints, you might be one of the first few people to be laid off.
Review the book of rules and regulations set by the company to make sure that you are not violating any rules pre-resignation. The handbook might also state how much time is really needed for you to pass on duties and responsibilities, as well as how much longer you need to stay with your current company.
“Before You Resign”
There is no step-by-step guide on how to resign from your work These steps give you pointers on how to handle things just before leaving the office for good.
Make sure to clean your desk and get rid of old personal files. Bring with you the official documents you might need for your next employment, but throw away other unnecessary stuff. Clean up old files on your office computer too. Backup the files you need incase the technical team wants to reformat your computer.
Leave the office mobile phone and other benefits that you have as an employee. These may include keys to the office, your identification card (ID), or keys to the company car (if any). Make a list of important passwords for your email, in case they need to open it for work-related matters. Send email blasts to your clients and contacts saying that you will no longer be using the office email address.
During your exit interview, focus on the good things that the company contributed to you. At the same time, be honest. The interviewer may ask you a couple of questions on the reason why you resigned from your company. Don’t divert the question, instead, answer truthfully. The information you share is confidential anyway, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Lastly, make sure to jot down the numbers of your colleagues and friends you’ve made throughout the duration of your stay. This will help you keep in touch with them even if you’ve resigned and don’t work there anymore.
How to Resign from your Job
There are a few basic but important things that should be kept in mind when resigning from any job, and preparation should begin by taking a good look in the mirror and asking yourself, “Am I sure I’m ready to do this?” Quitting your job is generally a final decision, and you’re going to have to be able to support yourself afterwards. Do you have a job lined up for sure that you can quickly transfer to? If you don’t, be prepared to reevaluate your budget!
Now that you’re sure you want to quit, it would be wise to execute your resignation as respectfully as possible if you plan on using your superiors as references for future jobs. A formal resignation letter can also be helpful communication, as it can be passed around to whatever administrators need to see it. They can read your reasons for leaving without any room for miscommunication or rumor. Of course, how important these points should be emphasized depends on the seriousness of and level of commitment you have to the particular job you are resigning from.
Most people, if you ask them, would say that you should give two weeks notice to your employer before resigning. Unless you’re working in a fast food place where training takes all of a few hours, I would recommend giving a bit more warning. Use your discretion when deciding how much more. Again, the more difficult your job is, and the more time you have invested in the place and people that you’re leaving, the more slack you should give them. Good workers can be very hard to find, and if by chance you put the company and your employees in a bad spot, you might not get the endorsement you’re looking for when it comes time to use that person as a reference.
If you’re planning on leaving on bad terms because you weren’t good at or didn’t do your job anyway, grab a stapler on your way out. It probably won’t make much difference. (Just kidding). Good luck!
Top Ten Tips for Writing a Letter of Resignation
People resign for all sorts of reasons, but that doesn’t mean you should burn your bridges. Therefore, it’s important to be as professional in departure as you were during employment. Remember, not only is it expensive for employers to find and train a new worker to replace you, but your next employer you get will want to know how you left your previous job. So if you keep these ten tips in mind you should be able to smooth the transition and keep your work history problem free.
Tip #1: Use Proper Presentation
Don’t add insult to injury by dismissing the letter of resignation. Use good stationary (and yes, it is okay to use the company stationary in this case), business format and layout. Handwritten letters on the back of diner placemats simply won’t do.
Tip #2: Give Your Reasons for Leaving
State the reasons why you feel the need to terminate your employment. You don’t need to defend your choices, but you should be prepared to give some sort of explanation.
Tip #3: State Your Value
Describe to your employer the skills you brought to the company and the relationships you developed there. This is not to brag or rub the employer’s face in it, but simply to highlight your contributions so that they can appreciate the benefit the company has received from your work (and what you have gained from the experience).
Tip #4: Offer Your Assistance
Be sure to give plenty of notice and offer to train your replacement to help smooth the transition and minimalize any disruption of work.
Tip #5: Maintain Clarity
Make your points clear and ensure that there are no spelling or grammatical mistakes. This is not the time to dash off a first draft and hope that it will do.
Tip #6: Keep It Simple
Don’t elaborate too much, just get to the point.
Tip #7: Remain Neutral
While emotion may have played a part in your decision to leave it should not make an appearance in the letter of resignation. This is not the place to lay blame or air grievances.
Tip #8: Show Respect
This is a formal and lasting document that will probably be seen by more than just your supervisor so be respectful and professional regardless of any informality (or conflict) that may have existed in the workplace.
Tip #9: Be Grateful
Employment is a privilege and should be treated as such. Make sure to thank your employer for the opportunity.
Tip #10: Don’t Forget the Details
There are always things that must be stated outright such as the exact date of departure, where you can be reached and when you will be available for any exit interviews that they require. Don’t assume that they already know the facts.
If you follow these tips and remind yourself that this letter is as much for your own file as it is for your employer’s then you will always maintain the professionalism that they have come to expect of you.
Resigning with Dignity
When its time to leave a job, whether for a better opportunity or to escape an undesirable situation, let dignity be your friend and exit of choice. While the company you are leaving may not be your future, you are your future. If you want others (and even yourself) to view you as an honorable person, you must choose to be honorable. Don’t worry about past mistakes. We’ve all had our less than glorious moments. Moving forward with dignity will always be a winning formula.
So how do you exit and leave behind a loyal employer who has stood by you through thick and thin? How do you exit from a dreadful employer? First you must take emotion out of the equation. We’re talking about making a living. This calls for logical thought. Whether you’ve had a good or bad experience with your present employer, moving on to serve your career, income goals, or even to accommodate family needs, is perfectly respectable. Once you truly own this concept in your belief system you are already half way there; to resigning with dignity.
Depending on the weight of your current position, standard protocol may dictate a two week notice or a one month advance notice. Be sure to follow protocol when possible.
Your resignation should be in the form of a written notice even if you are on a friendly basis. Proper pays respect. Keep your letter short and to the point. Remember this is a business letter not an emotional cleansing outlet. State your intention to resign and your date of departure. You may want to thank a good employer for the opportunity they have given you and for all that you have learned while working for their company. Keep it brief. Sincerity stands on its own. If the working relationship has been less than positive you can still create a dignified closure. A simple statement expressing your appreciation for giving you an opportunity with their company and the experience you have gained will do the trick.
Dignity feels so good. Enjoy, and good luck with your new job!