Leaving any job is a tough decision, and it can be difficult for us to get our thoughts across in the right way. The best advice is to never burn any bridges and try to leave on the best terms possible, which is where a resignation letter comes in.
If you're worried about how to go about this, then we're here to help. In just a few short minutes we'll give you the basics on what to include in a resignation letter and how to draft one.
Put simply, it's a summary of your reasons you're leaving a company, but it's also much more than this. It's also a way you can maintain a strong relationship with your former employer, it helps your transition out, and it also leaves the door open if you need to come back to your former company one day.
Not necessarily, and it can depend on individual circumstances whether or not you should write one. For example, if you have a particularly acrimonious relationship with your current employer you might not feel comfortable writing one, and wish to run your resignation entirely though the HR department.
However, in the vast majority of resignations we'd recommend a resignation letter. There are also many different resignation letter reasons, so each one will be slightly different depending on your situation.
It lets your former employer know exactly why you're leaving. In some cases they may be able to help fix the issues you're having and you could even stay in your position if they're able to resolve them.
An amicable resignation letter lets you leave on good terms, making it much easier to ask for references from your former employer in the future. It also holds open the door if you ever need to come back to your former employer in the future.
Mention what you've learned and thank them for the opportunities you had. This will help you end on good terms.
Make it clear to your employer when you intend to leave, this helps give them time to start recruiting a replacement.
This further strengthens your relationship, as by offering to assist in a transition period you show you won't leave work unfinished.
Don't use this as a chance to rant about your employer, this will only reflect badly on you.
You don't have to go into a lot of detail if you're not comfortable. You only need to give the basics.
You don't want to turn your letter into an essay. Get your key points across and sign off on a positive note.