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Resigning from your Job

Resignation Letter Pointers

Doing it right will benefit you in the end

Whether you’re leaving your company to pursue another opportunity or leaving because you just can’t stand to spend another moment there, taking the time to follow standard formalities with your resignation, if done right, will benefit you in the end. This article will give you advice on how to leave, and at the end of the article we've included resignation letters samples.

Be Prepared

It is important to keep in mind that when you decide to resign from your position the company you are working for (if an ‘at-will’ employer) does not have an obligation to keep you through your notice period.   However, most companies know that walking a person out the door upon their notification of resignation is not a positive moral builder and can build resentment and distrust in remaining employees.  So, unless you are in a sensitive position, going to a competitor, or there have been other issues that have built up, the employer will normally keep you through a standard notice period (which is typically two weeks, unless you have agreed to other requirements).   

However, this is not always the case.  You should be prepared to be shown to the door and make sure that you handle yourself in the most professional manner possible.   In the event you believe that this may occur (perhaps your company has a reputation for ‘walk outs’), it is a good idea to prepare ahead by removing your personal belongings and cleaning up your computer to remove any personal items.

Follow any written guidelines

It is always wise to check your employee handbook prior to any notifications to make sure you are following policy guidelines.  For most of you, your verbal resignation will occur with your direct manager, so plan out what you are going to say.  After all, unless your manager is expecting your resignation it may come as quite a shock.  So, just plan out your piece of the conversation and stick to it.  After you’ve completed the verbal resignation, you can provide your manager with your letter of resignation. 

Keep it Short

Although these are referred to as letters, my suggestion is to keep it short, sweet and to the point – really hardly a letter at all (a resignation sample letter is located below).  The reason I say keep it short is that you never want to burn a bridge when you resign from a company - never.  So, you must be excruciatingly careful about what you say in writing, as well as how you conduct yourself through your notice period (which can often be remembered better than your full course of employment if you handle things poorly during this period).  Remember, the world is small and last impressions do count.  More than likely you will be listing the Company on your resume, as well as requesting references from various individuals you have worked with.  Additionally, your letter of resignation will become a permanent part of the Company records.  So, being brief is in your best interest.

Don't burn any bridges

You probably have a lot that you’d like to say, we usually do when we are leaving a position.  Let’s say that you are departing from your company under less than pleasant circumstances (at least in your mind – perhaps you have been wanting a promotion and have not received it, or you are not happy with the management team, or have not been given enough responsibility – the list goes on and on).  If you note in your resignation letter that you are unhappy with the current circumstances (i.e., managements choices, etc.) this will be in your file.  Say in a year or two down the road the Company has a major reorganization and one of your old team mates contacts you to say there is a ‘perfect’ position for you and the new manager is terrific.  So, you reapply with the Company.  The new manager heads off to HR and reviews your previous employment records and bingo, right there on top of the file is your letter of resignation noting that you left because you were unhappy with the management decisions.  Ouch… not good.  That will leave the new manager with the wrong impression of you right from the start and you will probably not receive an offer.  So, again…keep your notice short, sweet and to the point – and do not burn your bridge.

It is easy to create a resignation letter and it is respectful, as well as expected, from a professional standpoint.  In addition, once it is submitted in writing there can be no misunderstandings about the date of your departure.   So, what should go in your letter and what should you leave out?  Here are some pointers and a sample of a good resignation letter.

Leave out:

• Any negative feelings

• Avoid emotional wording (positive or negative)

• Do not provide information on your new opportunity/position (if this applies)

• Stay away from criticism or what you deem to be helpful suggestions

• Leave any personal issues out

• Reason for leaving – this is not required in your letter – if you have agreed in writing to provide a reason for leaving keep it brief such as “new opportunities”, “continuing my education”, etc.  There is no need for a lengthy explanation behind your decision.

What should go in: again, think - short, sweet and to the point

• Current date

• Whom it is addressed to

• Notice of your resignation

• Date of your departure

• Perhaps a couple of brief lines expressing your appreciation of the opportunity provided