In today's article, we outline what a resignation letter is, why you need one when you resign, who you hand it to and what you need to include. In addition, we include 7 EPIC, free resignation letter templates you can use.
In 2021, 47 million people quit their jobs in the US alone; that’s before we look at the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.
There are no signs that the number is slowing down.
But…
How do you do it with so many people resigning, quite possibly for the first time?
You should have created a great CV and an excellent LinkedIn profile, searched for your dream job on the biggest job boards, and accepted a job offer before you handed in your resignation letter to your current employer.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the 7 FREE resignation letter templates:
First things first, what actually is a resignation letter?
A resignation letter is a formal document that an employee writes to their employer to inform them of their intention to leave the company. It is written to provide notice of your upcoming departure and gives notice for a smooth transition for both the employee and the employer.
The resignation letter must be written in a professional and respectful tone. It should include the employee's last day of work, their reason for leaving, and any other relevant information the employer should know.
It also records the employee's decision to leave the company and its date - all the official stuff needed.
Additionally, it is a good practice to thank your employer for the opportunity and the experience you had while working for the company.
Let’s dive deeper into why you need a resignation letter.
There are several reasons why it is important to write a resignation letter:
1. Professionalism: It’s a formal document demonstrating an employee's professionalism and respect for the company and their colleagues. It is a way to maintain a positive relationship with the employer, even after leaving the company.
2. Clarity: A resignation letter communicates your decision to leave the company and the date that the decision was made, ensuring clarity and understanding between the employee and the employer.
3. Future reference: It serves as a reference for the employee in the future, particularly when seeking new employment. It can demonstrate their professionalism and ability to leave a job positively and respectfully.
4. Facilitation of transition: It provides the employer with time to plan for the employee's replacement, which can help to ensure a smooth transition for both the employee and the employer.
5. Expressing gratitude: It is a good practice to thank your employer for the opportunity and the experience you had while working for the company.
A resignation letter is typically handed to your immediate supervisor, manager or your department head.
The letter should be addressed to the person with the most direct authority over your role and who will manage your departure.
It's also possible to submit the resignation letter via email or mail, but it's essential to ensure that the letter is delivered to the right person and received.
It's also a good idea to ask for a confirmation of receipt.
And keep in mind that it's best to follow the company's protocol for submitting a resignation letter, as specified in the employee handbook or company policy you received when you were hired.
Also, some companies may have specific procedures for submitting a resignation letter; you should make sure you are aware of whatever process your company has in place.
Whilst we have created 7 templates below you can use as a template for your resignation letter, you can create your own.
Here are some essential elements you should include in your resignation letter:
Right…
Let’s get into the 7 FREE resignation letter templates.
Dear [Manager's Name],
I have decided to resign from my position as [Position] at [Company]. My last day of work will be [Date].
I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with you and the rest of the team at [Company]. I have learned a great deal during my time here, and I am grateful for the support and guidance that I have received from my colleagues.
I would like to thank you for the trust and confidence that you have placed in me during my time at [Company]. I am proud of the contributions that I have made to the team and to the company, and I wish the company continued success in the future.
Please let me know what steps I should take to ensure a smooth transition of my responsibilities. I am happy to assist in making the transition as seamless as possible.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to work at [Company].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Dear [Manager's Name],
I have decided to resign as Marketing Manager at [Company Name]. My last day of work will be [Date].
I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with you and the rest of the marketing team at [Company Name]. I have been fortunate to work on some exciting projects, and I am proud of the results that we have achieved together. I have learned a great deal during my time here, and I am grateful for the support and guidance that I have received from my colleagues.
I would like to thank you for the trust and confidence that you have placed in me during my time at [Company Name]. I am proud of the contributions that I have made to the marketing team and to the company, and I wish the company continued success in the future.
Please let me know what steps I should take to ensure a smooth transition of my responsibilities. I am happy to assist in making the transition as seamless as possible. I am also willing to help with the recruitment and training of my replacement.
Thank you for the opportunity to work at [Company Name] and be a part of the marketing team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Dear [Manager's Name],
I have decided to resign as Sales Representative at [Company Name]. My last day of work will be [Date].
I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with you and the rest of the sales team at [Company Name]. I have been fortunate to have the chance to contribute to the success of the company by achieving and often exceeding my sales targets. I am grateful for the support and guidance that I have received from my colleagues and the leadership team.
I would like to thank you for the trust and confidence that you have placed in me during my time at [Company Name]. I am proud of the contributions that I have made to the sales team and to the company, and I wish the company continued success in the future.
Please let me know what steps I should take to ensure a smooth transition of my responsibilities. I am happy to assist in making the transition as seamless as possible, such as training my replacement or helping to hand over my current account portfolio.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to work at [Company Name] and be a part of the sales team.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Dear [Employer],
I am writing to inform you of my resignation from my position as [Job Title] at [Company]. It has been a pleasure serving our customers and working alongside my colleagues.
However, after much consideration, I have decided to pursue other professional opportunities. I will take on a new role as [New Job Title] at [New Company].
I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition for my colleagues and customers. I will be available to assist in any way necessary to ensure that my departure does not impact the continuity of service. I will also ensure that all my current projects are handed over to my colleagues.
Thank you for the support and guidance you have provided me during my time here. I have learned a great deal and will carry the knowledge and experience gained throughout my career.
I wish the company continued success in the future, and I am confident that the dedicated customer service team will continue to provide excellent service to our customers.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Dear [Employer],
I am writing to inform you of my resignation from my position as [Job Title] at [Company]. Working with you has been a wild ride, but it's time for me to move on to the next big adventure.
I am proud of our work together, from developing groundbreaking new technology to creating a culture of innovation. However, I have decided to take my skills and experience to a new level by pursuing a career as a [Job Title].
This may seem like a strange move, but I have always had a passion for [Job Title] and believe that this is where I truly belong.
Thank you for the opportunities and support you have provided me during my time here.
I will do my best to ensure a smooth transition and will be available to train my replacement.
Thank you again for everything, and I wish the company continued success.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Dear [Employer],
I am writing to inform you of my resignation from my position as [Job Title] at [School/University]. It has been a privilege to work with such dedicated colleagues and students, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this institution.
However, after much reflection, I have decided that it is time for me to pursue other professional opportunities. I will move on to a new role as [New Job Title] at [New Institution].
I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition for my students and colleagues.
I will be available to assist in any way necessary to ensure that my departure does not impact their education and progress.
Thank you for the support and guidance you have provided me during my time here. I have learned a great deal and will carry the knowledge and experience gained here throughout my career.
I wish the school continued success in the future, and I am confident that the dedicated staff and students will continue to excel.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Dear [Employer],
I am writing to inform you of my resignation from my position as [Job Title] at [Hospital/Clinic]. It has been an honour to work alongside such dedicated and compassionate colleagues and to be able to serve the healthcare needs of the community.
However, after much consideration, I have decided to pursue other professional opportunities in the healthcare field. I will take on a new role as [New Job Title] at [New Institution].
I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition for my patients and colleagues. I will be available to assist in any way necessary to ensure that my departure does not impact the continuity of care.
Thank you for the support and guidance you have provided me during my time here. I have learned a great deal and will carry the knowledge and experience gained here throughout my career.
I wish the hospital continued success in the future, and I am confident that the dedicated staff and healthcare professionals will continue to provide excellent care to the community.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
That concludes the 7 EPIC free resignation letter templates.
You can copy and paste any template above and adapt it as needed.