How to write a resignation letter for your current employer

So, you’ve accepted your new job offer, how exciting! All that's left to really think about is handing in your notice. It can be difficult to know how to write a resignation letter to make sure you leave on good terms but our expert recruiters have put together some useful advice to help you.

What should you include in your resignation letter?

Resignation letters act as a formal acknowledgement of your intentions to leave a company and, even if you’ve had an awful experience at your current employers, it’s still important to make sure your resignation is professional. It’s never a good idea to burn any bridges that could harm your career further down the line.

Overall, you don’t need to include too much detail in your resignation letters, but we recommend including the following:

The date
Your full name
The addressee
Your intentions to terminate employment
Date of when this is effective from (this should align with the notice period stated in your contract)
Your signature

We also suggest you thank your current employer for your time at the company, in order to leave a good impression.

Resignation letter template

If you don’t know where to start, use our template below as a guide to help you.

Dear (Manager’s Name),

Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as (job title) with (company name). My final day will be (date of last day), in accordance with my notice period as per my contract.

Thank you for the opportunity to have worked in the position for the past (time in employment). I have enjoyed my time with the company and have learned a great deal during my time here. I’m excited to move on to a new opportunity but will miss working with a great team.

During the next (notice period in weeks) I will aim to make the transition as smooth as possible and will support in whatever way I can to hand over my duties. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to support this transition period.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

What to leave out of your resignation letter?

Although it can be a great relief to leave a company where you have had a negative experience, you should always avoid adding anything emotional within your resignation letter. You do not need to include any specifics about your decision to leave and we would strongly advise against it. If you do feel the need to give specific reasons as to why you have decided to leave, a face-to-face meeting would be the best option. This will show your professionalism and will help you leave on good terms.

If you would like more advice, get in contact today and we’ll help you through the process.

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