So, you've decided to leave your job. This can be exhilarating. Whatever comes next in your professional life will be different. Whether you've already lined up your next gig, you're moving to a new city, or you just can't stand your current employment situation, making the decision to leave is exciting. It can be scary, too. Whatever the pros and cons of your job, it is at least familiar and offers a regular pay cheque. Stepping away can be nerve-wracking.
Don't panic and make any rash moves when resigning from your job. When you've decided to leave, you may be tempted to hurl all the papers off your desk and storm out dramatically. That might look good in humorous TikTok or YouTube clips, but it is no way for a professional to behave.
It takes years to build up a professional reputation and a network of people who think well of your abilities, work ethic, and communication style. Don't blow it on your way out the door. You may work with these people again. Even if you are at the end of your career and retiring soon, you will still want to make a classy exit.
The proper way to resign your position with a company is to write a formal letter of resignation. Sure, you could just tell your boss that you want to leave, but it is more courteous and polished to prepare a letter that states your intention to move on and gives an end date for your tenure with the company.
Here is how you write a resignation letter
Your letter of resignation should be polite, professional, and include all of the relevant details of your departure. Even if you can't stand your job or bitterly dislike your boss, this isn't the time to settle scores or vent frustrations. You're getting out, so those things that bother you won't be your problem for much longer. Take the high road.
Plus, this letter could be in your employment file for years to come. Human Resources staff considering you for future opportunities might have read and remembered it. There's no advantage to you or your career to start burning the bridges behind you when you change jobs.
Start with the official notice of your leaving and the date that will be your last day of service to the company.
For example:
I am writing to formally notify you that I am resigning from my post as Marketing Manager for ACME Co. I will continue in my role for the next two weeks, up until Friday, the [DATE.]
State that you will help transition your current projects and ongoing responsibilities to whoever will be stepping into the role upon your departure. If appropriate, you can also offer to respond to questions or provide support after your departure, should the need arise.
For example:
During this time, I will be happy to work with my replacement to walk them through the day-to-day activities of my position and get them up to speed on any looming deliverables. If any questions come up after my departure that we haven't had the chance to cover, you can always reach out to me. I will try to provide any information or support that I can.
It is polite to thank your previous employer for the opportunity they provided you and wish them future success. Whether or not you ended up loving the job, they still took a chance on you, trusted you, and paid regularly. Show some grace and gratitude.
For example:
I want to thank you for the opportunity of serving in this position for the past two years. I am proud of what we were able to accomplish during that time and grateful for the wonderful people I have had the chance to work with.
Then close politely, and be sure to include your personal contact information. Your boss and coworkers may only know how to reach you through your work email and phone number which will obviously be deactivated after your departure.
For example:
While I am excited for this next chapter in my career, I wish ACME Co. all the success in the world with its future projects. If you need to get in touch with me, you can reach me at [email protected] or 514 555 1234. It has been a pleasure working with you.
Best regards,
Joe Candidate
Put all together, it reads like this: [Sample Letter of Resignation]
Joe Candidate
Marketing Manager
ACME Co.
Mario Bossly
President, ACME Co.
Montreal, QC
Hello Mario,
I am writing to formally notify you that I am resigning from my post as Marketing Manager for ACME Co. I will continue in my role for the next two weeks, up until Friday, the [DATE.]
During this time, I will be happy to work with my replacement to walk them through the day-to-day activities of my position and get them up to speed on any looming deliverables. If any questions come up after my departure that we haven't had the chance to cover, you can always reach out to me. I will try to provide any information or support that I can.
II would like to thank you for the opportunity of serving in this position for the past two years. I am proud of what we were able to accomplish in that time and grateful for all the great people that I had the chance to work with.
While I am excited for this next chapter in my career, I wish ACME Co. all the success in the world with its future projects. If you need to get in touch with me, you can reach me at [email protected] or 514 555 1234. It has been a pleasure working with you.
Best regards,
Joe
Joe Candidate
Personal email address
Personal phone number
If you have already been hired for your next role, it usually isn't necessary to tell your current employer exactly what you will be doing. You don't want to come across as boastful if you are moving on to bigger and better things. However, it is customary to inform your company if you are jumping ship to a direct competitor. They may not want you to serve out those last few weeks of your notice period if you're going to be on the opposing team immediately after.
