Q&A for How to Write a Resignation Letter

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  • Question
    How much notice do I have to give when I resign?
    Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM
    Life & Career Coach
    Shannon O'Brien is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consultancy based in Boston, MA). Through advising, workshops and e-learning Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life's work and live a balanced, purposeful life. Shannon has been ranked as the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA by Yelp reviewers. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers, and the UR Business Network. She received a Master's of Technology, Innovation, & Education from Harvard University.
    Life & Career Coach
    Expert Answer
    Give your employer your resignation letter 2 weeks before you plan on leaving if that's your company's policy.
  • Question
    How do I stay professional when I resign?
    Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM
    Life & Career Coach
    Shannon O'Brien is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consultancy based in Boston, MA). Through advising, workshops and e-learning Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life's work and live a balanced, purposeful life. Shannon has been ranked as the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA by Yelp reviewers. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers, and the UR Business Network. She received a Master's of Technology, Innovation, & Education from Harvard University.
    Life & Career Coach
    Expert Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Where can I find example resignation letters?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    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.
  • Question
    What’s the right format for a resignation letter?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I write a resignation letter if I hate my boss?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    When sending a resignation in email format, should the letter be sent as an attachment or typed into the email?
    Community Answer
    It would be a good idea to do both, so your boss can save it in whichever format they want to.
  • Question
    How would I write a resignation letter due to family problems, where my family needs me to be at home?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I thank my manager for the opportunity when I've been in my position longer than she's been in hers?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I write a resignation letter for resigning without notice due to issues within the company?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Who should I write address my resignation letter to? My supervisor, my manager, or the HR officer?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Do I write my resignation letter on a company letterhead?
    Community Answer
    A resignation letter is your personal letter to the company. Thus, a company letterhead is not appropriate..
  • Question
    How do I write a resignation letter due to poor health?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Is it necessary to give my employer the location and position of my new job?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I write a resignation letter in order to tell my boss I am leaving in order to go to school?
    Community Answer
    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."
  • Question
    How do I ask for a reference in the future?
    Preethi SathyaKrishnan.
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    I am planning on turning in my resignation tomorrow. Should I include tomorrow's date on the letter?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    I fear giving my resignation. My heart and mind want to keep going, but my health and body can't any longer. What do I do?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I write a resignation letter when my boss is oblivious to the fact that something is wrong?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I know for sure they will put my letter in the file, just in case I'd like to come back? They have done this before to someone, saying they never got a resignation letter. Do I have them sign it?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How can I prove to social service agencies that I have resigned from my job?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    What about a situation where I was demoted with the conspiracy of my departmental head and other colleagues, as such misrepresenting me before the overall boss?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I write a resignation letter because I want to go into business for myself?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    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.
  • Question
    Do I have to include the day that I'm leaving in my letter?
    Community Answer
    Yes, this is standard practice.
  • Question
    Is it OK to submit a resignation letter the day before? For example, I wish to resign on the 1st of February, but I submit my letter on the 31st of January.
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    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.
  • Question
    Should I write a resignation letter if I think I'm going to be terminated from my job?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it looks better on a resume than termination, and certain companies will reject employment insurance if you are terminated for certain reasons.
  • Question
    How do I write a resignation letter to leave the company on a good note?
    Community Answer
    Simply write the truth about why you are leaving.
  • Question
    How do I write a resignation letter to a boss I dislike?
    Community Answer
    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!"
  • Question
    Do I give the letter of resignation while off the clock? Should I wait until the end of a shift?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I write a resignation letter due to family problems?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How can I check the spelling in my letter?
    Community Answer
    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.
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