Resignation Letter Example (2024) – 3 Templates for a Graceful Exit

You’ve worked so hard to land this job, but now you’ve made the decision to resign from your role. Maybe there’s already an elated sense of relief or simmering pressure about what happens next. However, the next practical step is to write a resignation letter, which can be a tricky task, much like asking for a raise. Though you might dread it, writing the resignation letter is an integral part of transitioning smoothly out of your role. We’ll dive right into what a resignation letter is and give you three sample resignation letter examples that will show you how to exit gracefully and burn no bridges.

What is a resignation letter?

A resignation letter notifies your employer that you are leaving your job. It serves as a record of your departure and stipulates on what terms you resigned. In most circumstances, the resignation letter is sent two weeks before your designated final date. This means that the letter should absolutely state the official last day you’ll be working for them. The letter will explain, if it is fitting depending on the circumstance, why you have decided to leave. To maintain healthy professional relationships, you might also include why you were grateful for the opportunity to work together. Towards the end of the letter, people often write that they’re willing to help with the transition or handoff process as well.

The tone of a resignation letter should be professional, polite, and respectful. The letter will be addressed to your manager, supervisor, or whoever is overseeing your role. If you need any more persuasion about the utility of a resignation letter, it certainly helps with any future recommendation letters.

Let’s take a look at the sample resignation letter example below:

LETTER OF RESIGNATION

James Lee
900 Broadway Avenue
New York, NY, 64578

June 13, 2024

Toy Animations
457 Madison Avenue
New York, NY, 65789

Dear Mr. Kendricks,

I am writing to inform you of my intention to resign from my role as Senior Animator at Toy Animations, effective two weeks from today, June 27, 2024.

Since I first joined Toy Animations, my professional goals have changed, and I believe it makes the most sense for me to pursue another opportunity that best aligns with my goals and aspirations.

I sincerely appreciate and am grateful for the opportunities you provided me during my time at Toy Animations. Please let me know how I can best assist you as I transition out of my role over the next two weeks.

I hope to stay in touch and thank you very much.

Best,
James Lee

How to Write a Resignation Letter – Resignation Letter Example 

The resignation letter example above shows that these letters do not have to be long or complex. Much like a cover letter, they shouldn’t be longer than one page, and they should be shorter than a standard cover letter. Let’s examine the basic elements of what creates a successful resignation letter.

Understanding who the letter is going to

You’ll need to figure out who exactly will be reading your letter. Will the HR department first read it? Will your manager or supervisor be the direct recipient? The sooner you know who the letter will be addressed to, the clearer you can be in the tone of your resignation letter, based on your relationship with them.

For example, if the resignation letter will be read by someone who you’ve never met in HR, then you can stick with a formal tone. The resignation letter example listed above is short, concise, and still relatively formal. However, if your letter ends up on your manager’s desk, and assuming you have a close working relationship with your manager, the tone can be a little less formal. You can check out the resignation letter example to a manager listed further below.

What exactly goes into the resignation letter?

1. Your header – Be sure to include your full name and address.
2. The date you are submitting your letter – This is important because your employer will have a record of the official start date of your notice period.
3. The address of the company – As seen in the resignation letter example above, you’ll want to include the official full name and address of your company.
4. The salutation of the recipient – This is just another way of saying how you’ll address whoever will read your letter. Is it just your manager? Is it an entire department? These are some things to figure out.
5. The last day you’ll be there – Stating the last day you’ll be working at the office or for your company is crucial. This lets your employer know that there is a definitive final date. The less gray area here, the better.
6. Why you are leaving – There are endless reasons as to why someone is leaving a job. If you feel comfortable and safe enough to state why, and it is still professionally appropriate, then this is a good option to consider.
7. Thank them – To maintain a positive professional relationship, it’s best to thank your employer for the time you worked with them. The resignation letter example provided above has the writer offering to help with the transition process. You could also mention how you’d want to keep in touch.
8. End the letter well – Whether you choose “Best,” “All my best,” “Sincerely,” or “Thank you,” select an ending that is professional and respectful. If you are handing in a physical copy of your resignation letter, be sure to sign it with your signature. If you are submitting it digitally, be sure to include a digital signature if possible.

Here’s another formal resignation letter sample that can work as a template for your own:

Letter of Resignation Template

(Your name)
(Street address)
(Your city, state, and zip code)

(Date you’re submitting letter)

(Name of company/employer)

(Their street address)

(City, state, and zip code)

Dear (Name of Manager or Supervisor),

I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from my position as (Your current role) at (Name of your company/employer). As this is my two week’s notice, my last working day will be (Your final day with them).

At (Name of company/employer), I am sincerely grateful for every experience that has allowed me to learn and grow alongside my colleagues. With the skills that I’ve been fortunate enough to develop at (Name of company/employer) I look forward to this next chapter and feel that now is the right time to pursue this new path.

To ensure a smooth transition, please let me know how I can assist in the handover of my responsibilities.

Thank you very much for taking the time to understand my decision. I look forward to further contributing to those around me with the skills that I’ve learned at (Name of company/employer).

Please feel free to reach me via (email/phone) at (Your email/Your phone number). I hope you will want to stay in touch and I wish you all the best success.

Sincerely,

(Your signature)

(Your Name)

Knowing what not to include 

Referring to the resignation letter sample above, you’ll find that it does not have the following:

1) Inappropriate language – No matter how close (or not close) you are with your employer, you’ll want to keep the language as professional as possible.

2) Insulting or criticizing your employer – Maintain a positive tone, as best as you can. If you have a problem with your employer, the resignation letter is not the place to voice that. The HR department is a better call!

3) Where exactly you’re heading next – If you’re not sure how your employer will respond to this, keeping such information out of the resignation letter is the safest bet. The last thing you’d want is to have your employer start asking for more information about something you don’t want to disclose.

4) Grammar or spelling mistakes – You also don’t want to come across as someone who hasn’t paid any attention to your own writing! Always double-check for any grammar or spelling errors. We all make them, but it shouldn’t appear in your final draft.

Here’s another resignation letter sample that is addressed to a manager:

Letter of Resignation

(Your name)
(Street address)
(Your city, state, and zip code)

(Date you’re submitting letter)

(Name of company/employer)

(Their street address)

(City, state, and zip code)

Dear (Name of Manager),

I’m writing to you to submit my notice and resignation letter. After (Years/Months you’ve been at the company), I’ll be resigning from my role as (Your job). My final day with (Name of company) will be officially (Designated date).

I wanted to express my utmost gratitude for all the guidance, mentorship, and support you have given me during my time at (Name of company). Having you as my manager has been foundational for me to grow as a professional and individual. I hope you know how much of an impact you’ve had on my career and life.

Although I’m excited about my next chapter, I am resigning from our team and (Name of company) after much careful consideration as this has not been an easy decision. If I can be of any assistance to help transfer or pass on my responsibilities before my departure, please let me know.

Thank you so much. I look forward to staying in touch and I hope that you will too.

All my best,

[Your Signature]

[Your Name]

Compared to the previous two resignation letter samples, this resignation letter is more “informal” in its tone. It’s an example of how to maintain professionalism with someone you worked with closely. Again, it’s important to establish early on who exactly will be the recipient of your letter. Then you’ll have a better idea about what kind of tone and language to use in your resignation letter.

Submitting your letter

 After you’ve written your resignation letter with our guidelines above, all that’s left is for you to send it.

If you’re choosing to email the letter, you can paste the letter into the body of your email or attach it as a PDF. In the subject line of your email, please make sure to write your name and “Resignation Letter and Notice” or “Letter of Resignation.” A few examples of the email subject line are:

– Resignation Letter and Notice: James Lee
– James Lee: Letter of Resignation
– Two Weeks’ Resignation Notice: James Lee

If you work in-person with your employer, manager, or supervisor, then you can also print out your letter and hand it to them.

Sample resignation letter – Be conscious of who you notify and when

When you’ve made the decision to resign from your company or employer, it can be tempting to let others know as soon as possible. Especially if you’ve already been offered a new job, going on LinkedIn and posting about your new position seems cathartic. It’s important, though, to take the time to let your employer know at least two weeks in advance of your departure date. And it’s a necessary step to craft the appropriate resignation letter, given our guidelines above.

Once you’ve written your resignation letter, be sure to send it, unless of course you’ve changed your mind! Whether you are about to pursue one of the happiest jobs in America or your own venture, the choice is, hopefully, yours. What matters is that you’ve made the right decision for yourself and your future.