Your 5-Step Guide To Crafting A Professional 2-Week Letter Of Resignation

Quit your job with dignity, respect and all of your network connections by leaving with a professional 2-week letter of resignation. Quitting a job is hard, especially if you’ve been with a company for a long time. Sometimes quitting is necessary for career advancement. Here are some perfect examples on how how to craft a professional 2-week letter of resignation by property manager Genevieve Rossman at Broadstone Summer Street, a place where luxury and creativity meet.

It may be tempting to walk out in a blaze of glory. We’ve all had dreams of walking into the boss’ office, telling them how you feel, and storming out to the applause of supportive co-workers. But burning bridges with previous employers is never a good idea. Leaving a job gracefully is a much smarter career move. By leaving responsibly, you will be able to keep in touch with ex-bosses and coworkers. This will be essential if you ever need a good recommendation down the road.

Plus, you never know how these people could help your career in the future. Maybe that boss or a coworker plans on starting a company and want you to lead a department? But how do you leave a job on good terms? It all starts with a thoughtful and professional letter of resignation. If you are unfamiliar with the term, a letter of resignation is a formal letter provided to your employer that states that you are quitting your position. It should be handed to your boss in person several weeks before your planned last day.

To write a professional letter of resignation, follow this simple 4-step process.

Start With The Obvious

There is no need to provide a long introduction to your letter of resignation. Get straight to the point. The first sentence of your letter should state your goal: to resign from your position. 

Here’s an example:

Dear [Boss’ Name],

This is to serve as a formal notification that I will be resigning from my position as [position title] with [company name]. My final day of employment will be [your last day, which should be at least two weeks from the date you give notice].

You don’t want to leave anything up in the air. The most important thing is that you are quitting. This is not negotiable, so be very straightforward. The second most important element is when you are done working. This means naming the specific last day of your employment.  Don’t say “in two weeks.” State the exact last day. If you don’t provide a detailed timeline, your employer might ask you to stay longer, which can make it even harder to leave. Avoid any awkward discussions down the road by being direct about your timeline.

Show Your Appreciation

Once you’ve gotten the actual resignation, it is time to say your thanks. Express your gratitude for the opportunity to work at the company. 

Make it personal by including some specific lessons you learned or experiences you enjoyed.

This section is important even if you hated your time there. If it was clear that you did not enjoy working there, or if you and your boss had some noticeable differences, feel free to keep this section brief. Be cordial and don’t say anything you could regret in the future.

Try something like this:

I appreciate the opportunity to work with this team for the past [X number of years]. I have learned about [your field of work], primarily related to [something specific you worked on]. These skills will be invaluable as my career continues to develop.

I am thankful to have worked alongside my team members, [name them if there is anyone, in particular, you want to thank]. I also enjoyed my time [something you enjoyed].

As we mentioned before, it might be tempting to adopt a scorched earth policy. Don’t. This is not your time to criticize your boss or your fellow employees or to air out your grievances. Save that for your exit interview with the human resources department. Showing your appreciation in your letter of resignation is a smart career move. This leaves the door open to working together in the future, even if your boss or coworkers are at a new company.

The Transition

The final section of your letter of resignation should express your openness to aid in the transition process.When an employee leaves a company, it can cause a lot of trouble for a company. This is especially true if you are not easily replaceable. Make the transition easier by helping as much as possible.

Here’s an example:

Over the next two weeks, I will work to make the transition more comfortable for the team. I will update any process documentation so it is easier to train the next employee. If there are any tasks I am unable to complete before I leave, I will do my best to ensure a smooth hand-off.

Please let me know how I can help during the transition.

In your letter, you don’t need to go into extreme detail. And don’t promise anything you can’t deliver. Make it clear that you are willing to help your team.

The Sign Off

Last but not least, you need to close out the letter.

How?

Keep it short and sweet. Include another quick thank you. If you would like to keep in touch with the company, let them know. Include your personal email address if they don’t already have it.

Thank you again for the opportunity. I wish the best for you and [company name]. Please keep in touch.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

At some point in your career, you are going to have to step away from a job. And while it is tempting, you should try to keep all your existing relationships intact.

Submitting a professional letter of resignation is the best way to leave gracefully without burning any bridges. Your letter of resignation does not need to be super long. It’s better to keep it short. State your resignation and last day. Say your thanks. Offer to help in the transition. Sign-off.It’s that simple. By taking your time to resign the right way, you keep your future open to professional opportunities down the road. You also have a much better chance of securing that coveted letter of recommendation.

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