Resignation Letter - Template, Samples, & How to Write

A good resignation letter (or notice letter) helps you leave a job positively by giving your employer time to find a replacement and expressing your gratitude for the opportunity.

To help you with handing in your notice, we have a copy/paste resignation letter template below, followed by situation-specific resignation letter examples, writing tips, and answers to common notice-giving FAQs:

Simple resignation letter template

Below is a simple resignation letter template with formal formatting for you to copy, paste, and fill in with your unique experiences:

Your Name
123 Street Name
City
Postcode
xxxxx xxx xxx
your-name@email.com

[Today’s Date]

 

Contact Person’s Name
123 Company Address
City
Postcode
xxxxx xxx xxx
contact-person’s-name@email.com

Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Contact Person’s Surname],

I’m writing to notify you that I’m resigning from my role as [Position Title] at [Company Name]. My last date of employment will be [DD/MM/YYYY].

I’m leaving because [reason] and after careful consideration, I’ve decided to move ahead on this new path.

I’ll be here to assist with the transition and will provide any information or records you need going forward.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to work with you and for helping me develop as an employee on your team. I’ve enjoyed honing my [type of skill] skills and being a part of the team.

I’m happy to be of assistance, so if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out via phone on xxxxx xxx xxx or by email at [your-name@email.com].

Yours sincerely,

 

[Your signature if handing in a hard-copy notice]

 

 

[Your Name]

 

Download for Word

Examples of resignation letters

Looking for a sample resignation letter that politely explains the specific reason you’re quitting your job? Look no further. Here’s every kind of resignation letter you might need (and you can download them to use as templates for free), including a:

1. Resignation email
2. Short resignation letter
3. Constructive dismissal resignation letter
4. Retirement letter of resignation
5. One week notice letter
6. Two week (or more) notice letter

1. Resignation letter email

Below is a simple resignation letter email example from a student leaving a part-time job:

2. Short resignation letter

Need to fire off a quick letter of resignation? Here’s a short resignation letter example:

Download Letter

3. Constructive dismissal resignation letter

Below is a constructive dismissal resignation letter example to give you ideas for writing your own:

Download Letter

Remember that CV Genius does not claim to have legal expertise, so you should consult with a qualified solicitor to ensure you have a notice letter that meets the needs of your situation. But here is a general outline to follow when writing the content of your constructive dismissal resignation letter:

• start by informing your employer of your decision to resign, clearly listing the date you’re leaving
• state that you’re leaving due to a breach of contract
• according to Springhouse Solicitors, it’s important to clearly explain any delay in resigning to increase the chances a court won’t view that delay as you accepting the breach of contract
• note any issues that need resolved (e.g., final payment)

4. Retirement letter of resignation

Looking for a retirement resignation letter sample? Here’s a good example of how to write one:

Download Letter

5. One week notice letter

This is an example of a formal resignation letter giving the employer one week’s notice:

Download Letter

6. Two week (or more) notice letter

Here’s an example of a two week notice letter, but the content also works for longer notice periods:

Download Letter

How to write a resignation letter

Writing a resignation letter for the first time or just need a refresher? Here are seven tips to help you write a notice of resignation that creates a smooth exit from your current job:

1. Use business letter formatting

Following business letter formatting when writing your notice letter is important because it shows your professionalism. Also, this formal formatting includes your contact information so your employer can reach you about urgent work matters if necessary.

Follow the correct employment resignation letter format by adding your details at the top right of the page, like so:

Your contact details on a resignation letter (right-aligned)

Britta Hart
10 Stanley Street
Liverpool
L1 6BF
07354 187 434
britta-hart@gmail.com

Next, hit Enter once to add a paragraph break, and right-align the current date (using the DD/MM/YYYY format).

Providing a date to your employer officially sets the time you’re leaving and ensures you can arrange your work-related matters (such as receiving as your final pay) on time.

After writing the date, add another paragraph and include the recipient’s contact information on the left (like in the orange box below):

Then, add another paragraph break and address your contact person using a polite salutation such as ‘Dear’. Add the title [Mr/Ms/Mx] followed by their surname and a comma. For example:

Dear Ms Lane,

And remember to use a professional font (like Times New Roman or Arial) and keep your font size at 10–12 points when writing your resignation notice letter so your employer can easily read the contents.

2. Open with your decision to resign

Start your letter of resignation by stating your decision to resign from the company (include your job title to avoid confusion).

Providing a reason for leaving is optional, but keep your resignation letter respectful and never badmouth your company or colleagues even if you really hate your job.

Also, if you’re writing a CV and cover letter for a future job and need a reference from your employer, maintaining a positive relationship is important — especially as you end your time working together.

3. State your last date of employment

State your last date of employment so your employer can plan for hiring a replacement and officially start your offboarding process.

Use the standard date format DD/MM/YYYY (for example, 30 September 2022 or 30/09/2022) to avoid any confusion about when you’re leaving.

4. Offer to help with the transition

If you’re comfortable doing so, inform your employer that you’re happy to help with the transition as you leave your role.

You may be required to train someone taking your role or hand off your current projects and tasks to your colleagues. So if you’re already familiar with your company’s resignation process, add details about how you can specifically help. Otherwise, keep this section short.

5. Thank your employer

Leaving your company is often a bittersweet experience. Because your employer has spent time, money, and resources to help you grow, remember to thank them for their efforts and wish them well in the future.

6. Provide your contact information (again) and sign off

When closing your letter of resignation, include your phone number and email address again for your employer’s convenience.

Next, sign off professionally by writing ‘Yours sincerely,’. Then, if you’re:

• handing in a digital copy of your notice: add a paragraph break and type your first and last name
• giving a hard copy of your resignation letter: make an extra space between your sign-off and name for your signature

7. Proofread your resignation notice letter

Finally, proofread your resignation letter before you submit it by ensuring:

• the dates you provided are correct (don’t accidentally set your end date a month later than you planned)
• there are no grammatical or spelling errors (giving a typo-filled notice letter makes could make your manager think twice about giving you a good reference)
• your contact information is up-to-date (you don’t want to miss important messages — such as tax information)

How to prepare for your next job application after resigning

If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to write your CV so can start to apply for new jobs. Or you can look at this example of a professional CV for inspiration:

Use This CV Design

You’ll also need a cover letter to introduce yourself and your CV. Learn how to write a good cover letter or check out this example cover letter to get ideas for writing your own:

Use This Cover Letter Design

Letter of resignation FAQs

Still wondering how to go about handing in your notice of resignation? Here are answers to three common questions about giving notice:

1. Why should I write a resignation letter?
2. How long of a notice period should I give my employer?
3. How do I hand in a resignation letter?
4. What should I do if I give in my resignation letter and I get a counteroffer?
5. What should I do if my manager refuses to accept my resignation letter?

1. Why should I write a resignation letter?

You should always write a resignation letter because it’s a:

• polite custom (employers expect you to give them a resignation letter as a matter of courtesy)
• record of your exit date
• formal expression of gratitude for the opportunity to work for your employer
• good way to establish a positive relationship going forward, which can help you get positive reviews from your managers if you need them

2. How long of a notice period should I give my employer?

Unless your work contract or verbal agreement between you and your employer says otherwise, the length of your notice depends on how long you’ve worked for your employer:

• Less than one month: No notice legally required
• One month to two years: One week’s notice
• Two years or more: One week’s notice for each year you’ve worked for your employer, but only up to 12 weeks

3. How do I hand in a resignation letter?

The best way to hand in a resignation letter is via email so there’s an electronic record established — but only after you’ve discussed your resignation with your manager.

Even if you work remotely, you should try to break the news of your resignation on a video or voice call if possible because it’s the courteous, personable thing to do. Sending an email or Slack message to give notice is like breaking up with your romantic partner over text — doing so can make you seem cold, and text messages are easily misinterpreted.

4. What should I do if I give in my resignation letter and I get a counteroffer?

This question comes courtesy of u/Altruistic_Use544 on Reddit.

If you hand in your resignation letter and your company gives you a counteroffer, you can decide whether to withdraw your resignation or resign anyway.

For example, your boss might offer you a 5% pay raise and a £1,000 bonus for staying with the company. It’s up to you whether that offer fits your life situation or is a better offer than you’d get at your next job.

It’s worth getting in writing that you’ll still be eligible for your next scheduled pay raise and bonus if you accept the counteroffer’s terms.

5. What should I do if my manager refuses to accept my resignation letter?

This question was posed by a user on Quora and by u/Muta_genas on Reddit.

A resignation letter is not a request to resign, it’s a notice that you’re leaving a company, so your manager can’t refuse to accept it.

Make sure you’ve:

1. got a dated record that you sent your resignation letter (e.g., Royal Mail Signed For or an email resignation letter in your email ‘sent’ folder)
2. followed the law/company policy on working your notice period

As long as you’ve followed these steps, you’re free to leave your job on the date you’ve said will be your last day.