You’ve decided that it’s now time for you to move on to greener pastures. You might want to resign because you have something exciting lined up, or you can’t stand spending any more time with your manager from hell.
No matter what the reason is, you are at an important part of your career — you have to prepare a resignation letter to formally leave your employer. How you end your relationship with your employer is just as important as how you begin it.
But where do you start?
In this article, we are going to discuss the following:
what is a resignation letter?
A resignation letter is a formal document used to communicate your intention to terminate your employment contract.
It should be brief, well-written and clearly states your intention to resign and last day of work. Your resignation letter should also be professional and polite, as it serves as an opportunity for you to express your appreciation to your boss and company.
resignation letter templates you can use
If you're planning to quit your job here is the compilation of the best resignation letter samples to help you easily draft your resignation letter.
Each example of a resignation letter has been formatted according to a specific reason for leaving. You can either send these letters of resignation by email or deliver the printed letter in person.
1. short and simple resignation letter sample
This is a simple and short resignation letter template that you can use and leave the organisation on a positive note. It's a straightforward letter which states the basic yet the most critical details needed in a resignation letter.
Dear [Manager's Name],
I would like to inform you that I am tendering my resignation from my role as [current job title] at [company name]. My last day will be on [dd/mm/yy], [two-weeks / a month] from today.
If I can be of any assistance in this transition period, please let me know. I wish you and everyone at [company name] all the best.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your name
2. standard resignation letter format
This template will help you write an effective letter of resignation to leave your role. This official letter can be used by anyone to formally notify their employer of their intention to resign from their current position and last day, while sharing some positive words about the experience.
Dear [Manager’s name],
Please accept this letter as a formal notice of resignation from my role of [current job title] at [company name]. My last working day with the company will be on [dd/mm/yy].
I’m truly grateful for the opportunities the company has given me. I truly appreciate all the skills and knowledge that I have learned during this time, which will serve me well in the future. Being a part of such a great team has been an amazing experience.
During my notice period, I will do my best to make the transition smooth and will ensure that all details and information remain available to the person taking my position.
I wish the business success in the future and intend to keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your name
3. resignation letter for personal reasons sample
You can use this template when you are resigning from a job because of personal or family reasons without giving any specific cause. This template also allows you to share some kind words with the people you enjoyed your time with, and will likely continue to remain as friends even after you’ve resigned from the company.
Dear [Manager’s name],
It is with reluctance that I'm writing to inform you of my decision to tender my resignation from [company name] as [current job title]. My last day of work will be [two-weeks / a month] from today, on [dd/mm/yy].
I cannot thank you enough for all the help and support you have given me during my time with the company. I appreciate all the valuable experience and the moments shared with my colleagues and bosses.
During my notice period, I’ll do everything possible to ensure a smooth wrap up of my current duties and hand over my existing projects to my team members. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do to ensure a smooth transition.
I hope that I can reach out to you for a reference in the future when I return to work. I look forward to seeing you again outside of the office as friends.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your name
4. letter of resignation sample for new job opportunity
Leaving your job for a better opportunity? You don’t have to feel guilty about it in your resignation letter, because everyone should feel happy that you are chasing your dream.
Here is a resignation letter template sample stating that you are leaving your current job because of a new job opportunity with another company that better matches your career goals.
Dear [Manager’s name],
I am writing to inform you that I will be leaving my current role as [job title] at [company name] in [two -weeks / a month]. After a thoughtful consideration, I’ve decided to resign from my position at [company name] to pursue my career goals with another firm.
According to my employment contract, my last working day after clearing my balance annual leave days will be [dd/mm/yy].
I’m grateful for the opportunities and experiences the company has given me throughout the years. I truly appreciate all the valuable skills that I’ve acquired during my time at [company name], all of which I will take with me throughout my career.
Please let me know how I can help make this transition easier. I wish the business success in the future.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your name
5. resignation letter sample for career growth
After spending some time working in the role, you might realise that this is not how you envision or want your career future to be. You have decided that it’s time for you to pursue your passion in another career path, which may require you to return to school or restart your career in an area that you’re more interested in.
If that’s the case, use this resignation letter template to let your bosses know your true intention of leaving the company.
Dear [Manager’s name],
Please accept this as an official notice of my resignation. I am writing to inform you that I am ending my employment as [current job title] at [company name]. My last day in the company will take effect on [dd/mm/yy], after serving my notice period.
I have decided to take a step to embark on a new path in my career that I’m passionate about.
I appreciate all the opportunities the company has provided me for these past years. I believe that the skills I have acquired will be of great value to me in the future. I will do my best to ensure a smooth transition process and make all details, information and current projects available to the person taking over my role after I leave.
I wish the company success in the future.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your name
6. resignation letter template for garden leave sample
According to your employment contract, you may be required to take garden leave if you are joining a direct competitor. While this period is usually enforced to protect your current employer from any information loss, it’s also a good time for you to take a proper break.
Here’s a resignation letter template for those who need to take garden leave.
Dear [Manager’s name],
I regret to inform you that I'm tendering my resignation from [company] as [current job title].
My final working day will be effective tomorrow as I will be joining a direct competitor and will be put on garden leave immediately as stated in my employment contract and following our conversation earlier.
It's been an incredible experience to be a part of such a wonderful team. I am also thankful for your trust in me over the years, which has shaped me to become a better employee and person.
I’ll be liaising directly with IT to return any company-owned devices and HR to complete my exit interview and to return the staff pass.
Thank you and all the best to you and the company.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your name
7. resignation letter due to job dissatisfaction or unfit company culture sample
This resignation letter example can be useful if you find that the company culture is no longer a good fit for you or want to quit your job because you are unhappy and dissatisfied. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as a stressful work environment, toxic co-workers or work culture, unhappy management, or unfair treatment.
Even though you may want to include every single detail in your resignation letter, we advise against it. No matter what you feel towards your colleagues or bosses, know that you are already resigning for your own good. By resigning, you have already taken the first step to put yourself first.
Here’s a neutral tone template that you can use if you’re leaving your employer to find somewhere with a better culture and boss fit.
Dear [Manager’s name],
I'm formally tendering my resignation as [current job title] at [company name]. I would like to start my [two-weeks / one month] notice process today. My last working day with the company will be on [dd/mm/yy].
Over the years, I have realised that my expectations of my job and employer have changed and would like to seek one that is more aligned with my current intentions.
I'm grateful for the opportunities the company has provided me over the years. It's been an incredible experience to be a part of such a wonderful team, and I truly value all the valuable skills I've gained.
During my notice period, I will do my best to make the transition smooth and will ensure that all details and information remain available to the person taking my position. Please let me know if there are any specific areas you'd like me to focus on during my notice period.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your name
8. formal resignation letter for retirement
Retiring soon? Congratulations! Retirement is always good news for everyone, especially you. After decades of hard work, you can finally have time to enjoy your life, pick up new hobbies, travel the world, or simply just have a restful life ahead of you.
Here is a resignation letter template you can use to announce your retirement.
Dear [Manager’s name],
I am writing to inform you that I intend to retire from my position as [current job title] at [company name]. My last day of employment will be on [dd/mm/yy].
I have enjoyed what I consider to be a productive and rewarding career at [company name] for nearly [duration of employment]. However, I am now looking forward to my retirement and starting a new chapter in my life.
I am grateful for all the wonderful experiences I have had with the company, from new hires to current leadership positions. I've learned a lot about myself and the world around me through my time here where I have also built a trusting network.
I will do everything I can to ensure a smooth transition for our department and the talented people who work there. Please let me know if there is any help I can do in the exit process.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your name
how artificial intelligence can help you to write a resignation letter?
When it comes to preparing a resignation letter, most people search online for a quick and easy template that they can copy and adapt to their situation. However, more people are turning to AI generators to create a template based on their unique situation in just a few seconds. These AI resignation letters help save time just by using a few prompts.
If you are using AI to write your resignation letter, remember to include these in your prompts:
- Basic information like your position, company name and last working date.
- Include a statement about how you’ve enjoyed your time in the company, or how your work has contributed to your professional growth.
- Determine the tone that you want, whether it is professional, respectful and concise.
- Ensure that it avoids negative comments about the workplace.
- Include an offer to help with the transition process.
Even after the AI generator has given you a resignation template based on your prompts, it is still important to check for missing information that is important and edit it so that it sounds like you. The last thing a manager wants to receive is a fully AI-generated resignation letter with missing information and sounds unemotive.
They may feel that you do not care enough about them to spend just a few more minutes to check before sending it to them. If it matters a lot to them, they may feel unmotivated to write you a reference letter in the future.
things to avoid in your resignation letter
Besides the resignation letter templates and basic AI prompts that we’ve shared with you in this article, you should also note that there is some information that you should not include in your resignation letter. Here are some of them.
oversharing unnecessary information
Some people may want to substantiate their reasons for leaving, which may lead to an accidental case of oversharing. All you need to let them know is your intention to leave the company.
negative comments about your colleagues or bosses
No matter how much you dislike your colleagues or bosses, avoid any negative remarks about them in your resignation letter. The letter should be about you and your intention to leave the company. When you write negative comments about them in the resignation letter, you could end up damaging your professional reputation instead.
informal language
To most people, the resignation letter is just a case of formality, and we all want to get it done quickly. However, being too casual in your resignation letter can undermine your professionalism.
work with randstad
It’s always more assuring to quit after you have already secured a job or are in the middle of a few promising job interviews. If you have not yet started your job search, please get in touch with our specialist recruiters for better career prospects. Our talent recruitment consultants are always ready to guide you on your career choices and through the next steps in your career journey.
Discover new career opportunities. Browse our latest job postings and apply for roles that fit your skills and specialisations.