Q&A for How to Write a Resignation Letter

Give your employer your resignation letter 2 weeks before you plan on leaving if that's your company's policy.

Keep your letter positive since your employer may save the letter for future reference. You want to leave on a good note without burning any bridges.

In addition to the samples included in this article, you can also find numerous resignation letter samples and templates online. Do a search for “resignation letter template” or “resignation letter examples” to find more helpful examples on the web.

Format a resignation letter as you would any formal business letter. Put your name and address in the upper lefthand corner, with the date underneath. Under that, write the title, name, and address of your recipient. If you like, you can include a subject line before your salutation (e.g., “Re: Notice of Resignation”). Follow with your salutation, the body of your letter, and your signoff and signature, all aligned left.

Just keep it classy and respectful, no matter how much you despise them. It will show your boss that you are a professional and mature person.

It would be a good idea to do both, so your boss can save it in whichever format they want to.

You should refer to your reasons/problems as "personal reasons." You shouldn't share too much personal information with your boss, even if you are close to him or her. If your boss is truly concerned about you, he or she will ask you; even then, you are under no obligation to give your boss details about your personal life.

Thank your manager by showing how much you valued working with her over x amount of years and that you enjoyed establishing a professional relationship. Although you have been there longer, thank your manager and say that it has been an honor providing great service and leadership and that she helped you provide more professional experience.

You should be honest in your letter, but you do not have to write down everything you're thinking. You don't want to burn any bridges unnecessarily. At some point in the letter, briefly apologize for the lack of notice.

It can be any one of these or all three. As long as you've made your intentions clear, and they are properly notified, you should be fine. Your best bet would be your manager, however.

A resignation letter is your personal letter to the company. Thus, a company letterhead is not appropriate..

In your letter, mention that you have poor health and, if you feel comfortable, how your health is an impediment to your continuing on the job.

No, you don't even have to give them any reason as to why you are leaving. If you have a good relationship with your old boss, you could tell them that you have found another job, but you don't have to give them more information than that.

Write something along these lines: "I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my current employment in order to further pursue my educational goals by attending college. I hereby give [X] weeks/months notice of termination according to the requirements of my contract. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with this company and will miss my role. I thank you for the opportunities that I have had here. Should you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them. Yours sincerely, Thattie Kwondak."

Mention your previous organization/ employer/ manager as a reference on your application. Then contact them to let them know that you have done so, and that they may be contacted. No need to be nervous (unless of course, your previous workplace wouldn't give you a positive reference) -- it's very common to do this.

No. The date is for whatever day you write the letter. The company will make a note of when you turn the letter in if it is important to them.

Is it an idea to consider an in-between solution? Instead of resigning, perhaps take a few weeks off? We all need a run-up before a long jump, after all. You must take care of your body in such a way that it is capable of doing what your heart and mind want. So if it's a matter of sleeping more, eating healthier, and all that, do those things. However, in the end, your health must always be your first priority, because without it you can't do anything else. If all this fails, resign, rest, look for a new job.

The purpose of a resignation letter is to simply tell your boss you're leaving. Don't address what you think is wrong with the company, what your boss is doing wrong, etc. All you have to do is state that you're putting in your two weeks notice and that you're grateful to have had the opportunity to work there. The company's problems are no longer your problems and you want to leave the job on good terms.

If this is a concern, I would send it certified mail (even if you are emailing it, send a second copy). That way you can keep a copy of this with your copy of the letter.

You can make a copy of the resignation letter, and any other copies provided by your employer at the time and give them to social services.

You don't have to give all or even any reason as to why you are resigning. A simple statement "I resign", will do, though a standard letter is usually lightly longer than that. As for the conspiracy thing, well, if you truly feel you have been wronged, consider talking to the human resources, a lawyer or even the police. But it sounds like this is best left alone. Resign, look for other opportunities in companies with a better work ethic.

The subject of the letter is that you resign, not what you will be doing afterwards. Whatever your motivation, the resignation letter serves solely as a notification that you want to end this contract.

Yes, this is standard practice.

This depends on your contract. Always read the terms and conditions before resigning. Sure, you can resign and quit right now, but you have signed a contract and it always includes stipulations for these things. If your boss wants to fire you, these stipulations must be honored. So must you; if you quit tomorrow, you may have to pay a fine, and you certainly won't get a good referral. In general, it is always best to give a few weeks' notice.

Yes, it looks better on a resume than termination, and certain companies will reject employment insurance if you are terminated for certain reasons.

Simply write the truth about why you are leaving.

Act like a professional. If you don't care for your boss, offer the bare minimum required (confirmation of resignation, official last day, complimentary close, closing salutation). Bosses, whether you were a good employee or less than stellar, have long memories. They are also well connected. Now is not the time to say to your soon-to-be-former boss, "Not only do I not like you, but here's how much!"

It's best to do it during working hours, because people don't like being bothered with work matters as they are about to go home, especially ones which can create major issues, like resignations. Depending on your relationship with your boss, either ask him/her if you can talk to him in private for 10 minutes, or make an appointment to see him/her.

Be honest without being specific. Say something like, "I need to tender my resignation at this time because I'm needed at home due to family difficulties." You may be able to take a leave of absence instead of resigning if the problem is temporary. Talk to your boss if you'd like to consider this option.

Same as you'd check your spelling in any other document. Use spellcheck, Google, or look up a word in a dictionary to make sure it is the right word in that context, ask someone to read over it.