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Here are sample resignation letters and a helpful template for submitting your two-week notice.
Eventually, you may find yourself needing to resign from your position. While it's ideal to discuss your decision directly with your supervisor or boss, following up with a polite and brief letter is also recommended. Writing a resignation letter might feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. By ensuring your letter is properly formatted and contains all the necessary details, you'll leave your job gracefully and on good terms.
Crafting a Professional Two-Week Notice
- Include the date and both your and your employer’s addresses at the top left.
- Address your employer politely (e.g., “Dear Mr. Smith”).
- Start by clearly stating that you are resigning and will be leaving in two weeks from today.
- If you'd like, you can briefly explain your reasons for departing.
- Assure your employer that you will complete any outstanding tasks during your remaining two weeks.
- Thank your employer for the opportunity and express appreciation for your time in the role.
- End on a positive note, followed by your signature after a formal closing.
Steps to Follow
Resignation Letter Template and Example Letter
Two-Week Notice Letter Template
Sample Resignation Letter for Two Weeks' NoticeDeciding What to Include and How to Phrase It
Be Direct and Clear. The opening line of your two-week notice should unmistakably state that you are resigning, with your final day falling exactly two weeks from the date. Avoid any ambiguous language that could imply you're open to staying longer or reconsidering if offered the right counteroffer.
- Example to follow: "This letter is to formally announce my resignation from [company name] as [job title], effective [resignation date]."
- Another good example: "I hereby resign from my position as [job title] at [company name], with my final day being [resignation date], two weeks from today."
- Example to avoid: "I’m considering quitting from my role as [job title]. Please let me know what time frame works best for you."
- Another bad example: "Assuming everything goes as planned, I intend to resign from my position two weeks from now."
Give your employer a minimum of 2 weeks' notice. While many employees aren't contractually obligated to give a 2-week notice, it remains a professional courtesy.
- If you leave earlier than two weeks, potential employers might question whether you'd do the same to them in the future.
- If your company is in a particularly busy period, consider giving 4 weeks' notice instead of just 2.
- Higher-ranking employees, such as senior executives, may want to offer more than 2 weeks' notice. Generally, provide the same length of notice as your vacation time; for instance, if you have 3 weeks of vacation, consider a “3 weeks' notice.”
Stay diplomatic if you decide to explain why you're leaving. This is especially important if your reasons are somewhat contentious. In such cases, it may be better to leave them out of the resignation letter entirely. No matter how dissatisfied you are with the company, your two weeks' notice isn't the place to vent. Keep it brief, general, and respectful.
- If you're not explicitly asked to provide your reasons, you don’t need to include them in your letter.
- If you're considering reapplying for a position within the same company later, sharing your reasons for leaving can help HR assess your chances of rehire.
- Be prepared with a reason for your departure when supervisors and colleagues ask in person. This reason doesn't need to be in the official letter but should be ready for conversation.
Be formal yet friendly. Your two weeks' notice should strike a professional tone, but not so stiff or impersonal that you come off as cold. Generally, reflect the communication style you've used with your employer in the past.
- If your interactions with your boss have always been formal, maintain that tone in your resignation letter. On the other hand, if you've had a more casual relationship, a personal tone is acceptable, as long as it's not overly informal.
- Example of a good tone: “I truly appreciate the opportunities and growth I’ve gained working with you.”
- Example to avoid: “I am writing formally to state that I hold ABC Company in high regard, and I bear no ill will toward anyone within the organization.”
- Example to avoid: “Thanks for everything!”
Keep the tone positive. This letter will be a permanent part of your employment records, so it's essential to leave a good final impression. Even if you're leaving a job you dislike, and you're not interested in maintaining relationships with anyone there, it's crucial to leave the door open, rather than burn any bridges.
- If a future employer contacts your old company for a reference, knowing you left on good terms will reflect well on you. This is also valuable if the person pulling your file doesn't know you personally.
- Avoid criticizing individuals at the company or badmouthing the organization's practices in your resignation letter.
Express gratitude to your employer. Include a brief thank-you message in your resignation letter, acknowledging the opportunities and experiences you've had during your time at the company. Every job offers something valuable, even if the downsides outweigh the positives.
- If your experience was largely positive, be sure your gratitude comes through. For example, say, “I can't thank you enough for the past three years. I've learned so much and am truly grateful for your support.”
- If your experience was mostly negative, still express a general thank you. For instance: “I’d also like to thank you for the experience and skills I’ve gained over the past three years.”
Assure your employer you will complete any major projects. As a final demonstration of responsibility and commitment, it’s important to highlight any ongoing or significant projects that require your attention. You should promise to complete these projects instead of leaving the company with unfinished work.
- Smaller tasks or projects that can be easily handed over to others can be left out of this commitment.
- This gesture will leave your employer with a positive impression, which can make it more likely for them to provide you with a strong reference in the future.
Offer continued support after your resignation. As the company adapts to the changes after your departure, there may be some challenges. In your resignation letter, offer to help ease the transition, even after your official departure.
- Provide your phone number and/or email address so the company can reach out if any questions or issues arise after you leave.
End with a thoughtful and appreciative message. Even if you’ve thanked your employer earlier in the letter, it's a good idea to close with another note of gratitude.
- Example: “I will always be grateful to you and the team at ABC company for everything you’ve done for me.”
Formatting Your Resignation Letter
Submit a letter, not an email. When resigning, it’s important to submit a formal, typed, printed resignation letter rather than an email. Hand the letter directly to your boss in person.
- While sending an email might seem more convenient, it is typically regarded as less professional and may be seen as impersonal.
- Avoid mailing your resignation via postal or internal mail systems, as it could cause delays and reduce the effective 2-week notice period.
Place the date in the upper left corner. Following the conventions for formal letter writing, the date should appear in the top left corner of the page in month-day-year format. The month should be written out fully, while the day and year should be in numbers.
- Example: June 26, 2013
- You typically don't need to add a return address above the date, as your address would be the same as your employer's. However, you can use company letterhead with the address if you prefer.
Consider adding an inside address. If you're using company letterhead, you may choose to skip the recipient's address since the letter is coming from within the same company. Nonetheless, including it can help personalize the letter and ensure it's addressed directly to your boss.
- Start with your employer's full name and title on the first line.
- On the next line, include the street address, followed by the city, state, and ZIP code on the following line.
- Leave a space between the date and the inside address, and another space between the inside address and the salutation. The address itself should be single-spaced.
Directly address your employer in the salutation. Start your letter with “Dear (boss's name),” and avoid generic salutations like “To Whom It May Concern.”
- Use the same way you address your boss as usual, even if the tone is more casual. For example, if you call your boss by their first name, begin with “Dear Jennifer.” If you address your boss formally by their last name, use “Dear Ms. Smith.”
Craft the body of your resignation letter. After your salutation, skip a line before starting the body of the letter. Each paragraph should be single-spaced, with a blank line between each one. There's no need to indent any paragraphs.
- Keep the letter to one page, at most.
End with a warm closing. To maintain a cordial and positive tone, your closing should feel warmer and more sincere than the standard “Regards,” “Thanks,” or “Sincerely.”
- Examples of friendly closings include:
- Warmest regards
- Best wishes for your continued success
- With heartfelt thanks for everything thus far
- With deepest gratitude and warmest wishes
Type and sign your name. Type your full name four lines beneath the closing, then sign your name between the typed name and the closing statement.
Submitting Your 2 Weeks Notice
Deliver your 2 weeks notice directly to your boss. The most professional approach is to hand over your 2 weeks notice in person to your boss.
- Typically, you’ll need to schedule a meeting, but if you work at a smaller company and have a close relationship with your boss, you might drop by their office unannounced.
- Make sure to close the door behind you to keep the conversation private.
- Hand the letter to your boss and explain what it is as you give it to them.
- Your boss may want to discuss your resignation. Even if your letter answers the questions, be prepared to respond completely to anything they ask.
- Before leaving, thank your boss and offer a handshake.
Send copies to relevant individuals. While it may vary by company, typically the Human Resources department and any supervisors you report to will need a copy of your notice. If you're sending the letter to multiple people, include a “CC” line to indicate who else has received it. This helps with the coordination and communication during your resignation process.
- Inform your co-workers, mentors, team members, and clients about your resignation in person; they do not require an official copy of your 2 weeks notice.
Work diligently and finalize outstanding tasks. If you promised to complete any major projects during your notice period, ensure that you fulfill those commitments.
- Even if you didn’t make specific promises, you should not slack off in your final two weeks. The transition period will be tough for everyone, and it’s your responsibility to make it as smooth as possible for the company you're leaving.
- Don’t allow your company to take advantage of you by asking you to perform tasks beyond your regular duties in your last two weeks. Stay polite and professional, but make it clear which tasks you’ll be completing before your departure.
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Be mindful of preserving good relationships when submitting your 2 weeks notice. You might eventually want to reapply for a position within the same company, or you may cross paths with the same people in your professional field. Avoid leaving a negative impression with your supervisor, as this could resurface when you're interviewing for a job later on with someone who is familiar with them.
