Resignation letter templates

Long gone are the days when you could just quit your job when you felt like it. Today, it has become just as important to have a well-written resignation letter as it is to have a compelling resume. You could be moving on to a new company, changing your career, or just taking a break—it’s super important to leave on good terms. This can actually help you in the future when you scope out a new opportunity.

Besides, professionalism and respect for the relationships you have built are always good things. So, today, let’s talk about what makes for a good resignation letter and its importance in the modern world.

What is a Resignation Letter?

A resignation letter is a formal document that you submit to your employer announcing your intention to leave the current position. It used to be just a courtesy, but today, it’s an integral part of the resignation and job-hunting process. At its core, it’s just the official record of your decision to resign (with some crucial details such as the timeline or any notice period).

But beyond that, it does so much more.

For once, it sets a positive and professional tone for the transition period, allows you to leave on good terms, and helps you give respect to the relationships you forged. In many cases, the lasting good impression that a resignation letter gives you can be used in the future as well, to get references for a future job, for example.

Why are Resignation Letters Important?

So far, we have touched upon why it’s generally considered a good idea to have a well-written resignation letter. But let’s take a closer look and identify why, actually, it’s a good idea. For starters, of course, it ensures that you part ways on a positive note, preserve relationships, and establish a sense of professionalism. Here are some additional key reasons:

• Professionalism: A resignation letter demonstrates a professional approach to terminating employment. It says that you care about the formalities of a workplace. This is a valuable quality that your future employers will respect.
• Clear Communication: The resignation letter has a concise explanation of the resignation. It might or might not include the reason as well. Even if it doesn’t include the exact reason, your employer gets a semblance of your reasons for leaving (for example, moving on to better opportunities).
• Recordkeeping: Such a letter is also an official record of your intention to resign. Ideally, the resignation letter mentions your last day of work, which is very important for HR documentation or for your own future reference.
• Smoother Transition: With a resignation letter in advance, you are also giving your employer time to initiate the process of finding a replacement or redistributing your duties. This minimizes disruptions to the workplace.

Writing a Resignation Letter: Key Considerations

Now that you have a clear idea about the importance and benefits of a proper resignation letter, it’s time to see what they should include. Make sure your letter has these key elements or pieces of information so everyone’s life is made easier:

• A formal declaration of resignation clearly stating your intention to resign from your position with the company name.
• The last day of work, typically following the notice period required by your company.
• A reason for leaving is optional but recommended in any formal resignation letter. You can choose to briefly mention the reason, at least in vague words—looking for better opportunities or a new job, for example.
• A thank you section is also recommended. For example, you can express your gratitude for the career growth opportunity and highlight the key experiences you received. Do this sincerely.
• A professional resignation letter can also include an offer of smooth transition assistance, if possible. This can help with the transition through training your replacement or any kind of documenting process.

Just like how a cover letter sets you apart when hunting for a job, a proper, short resignation letter can help you express gratitude, highlight positive experiences, and maintain professional relationships beyond your last day of employment. You should be transparent about what was lacking in your employment contract if you feel like it. The resignation letter format can include, for example, the inadequacies of your current employer or current job title, how the current situation does not align with your career goals, and so on.

A simple resignation letter can begin with a salutation, such as Dear Mr. (name of your employer)—and then continue toward the actual resignation process, a proper subject line, highlighting your last working day, your statement of resignation, and how the handover will be done.

FreshDox.com’s Resignation Letter Template

Not writing a resignation letter can lead to misunderstandings and a lack of closure for both you and your employer. Not only can it tarnish your professional reputation, but it can also potentially burn bridges with former colleagues and managers. We live in a world where networking and referrals can always come in handy, even if you don’t expect them to right now. That’s why leaving on a high note is invaluable.

But with multiple key considerations, how do you craft a compelling, well-structured resignation letter? Especially if you’ve never done it before? Well, we understand that writing a resignation letter from scratch can be a little daunting at first—particularly during the emotional time of leaving a job.

That’s where FreshDox.com comes in! Our templates will give you a good idea of a resignation letter example and what it should include, such as mentioning a two weeks’ notice, your contact information, the formal notice of resignation, any personal reasons that might be relevant, how you are willing to ease the transition process, and of course, your name, phone number, job title, final day, and other important details.

We have professionally designed resignation letter templates that simplify this whole process. They make sure that you cover all essential aspects with the right tone. So, don’t wait around and sign up as a member of FreshDox.com today to unlock access to our resignation letter template PDF among many, many other work-related templates for various professional needs. It doesn’t matter if you want a straightforward letter of resignation or a more detailed one—our templates are customizable to fit your specific situation while being 100% comprehensive.

Depart with professionalism and grace. Download our resignation letter PDF template today and move forward with confidence in your career journey by signing up!