Resignation Letter Examples & Guide

Your resignation letter should be addressed to and first shared with your direct manager or supervisor rather than HR. 

It’s a professional courtesy to inform your immediate manager personally before anyone else, as they are most directly impacted by your departure.

After you’ve had that conversation and submitted your letter to your manager, depending on your company’s internal process, you or your manager may share it with human resources. 

HR will typically handle the administrative aspects of your resignation, such as final pay, benefits, and exit paperwork.

Maybe your first professional job wasn’t what you expected (for future reference, here are five things to expect from your first job). Or maybe you no longer feel challenged and fulfilled by your day-to-day tasks. 

Ultimately, the decision to leave your job boils down to whether you feel the position is moving you toward your professional goals. 

If you decide it’s time to move on, you can always refer back to this guide to craft the perfect resignation letter that maintains a positive relationship between you and your employer.  

Explore our guide on the top high-income skills to learn to open up new career opportunities and maximize your earning potential. We also recommend checking out current RTO trends for insight into the future of workplace expectations. 

When addressing a resignation letter, you should use a professional and formal tone. Follow the same conventions that you would when addressing a cover letter. Here’s how to address your resignation letter:

• Start with the date: Write the date you’re submitting the letter at the top left corner of the page.
• Add the employer’s contact information: Below the date, write the employer’s name, job title, and company name, followed by the company’s address.
• Add your contact information: Below the employer’s contact information, write your name, job title, and address.
• Add the salutation: Use a formal greeting, such as “Dear [employer’s name].” 

Remember to keep the tone professional and positive throughout the letter, even if you are leaving due to negative circumstances. 

Whether or not you inform your colleagues about your resignation may depend on the specific circumstances and the culture of your workplace. However, it is generally a good idea to inform your colleagues about your resignation before you leave. Here are a few reasons why:

• Maintain positive relationships: Informing your colleagues about your resignation can help to maintain positive relationships, as it shows that you respect and value their contributions to the team.
• Facilitate a smooth transition: Letting your colleagues know about your resignation in advance can help to facilitate a smooth transition, as they will have time to prepare for your departure and make arrangements to cover your workload.
• Provide closure: Sharing your resignation with your colleagues can provide a sense of closure for both you and your colleagues, as it allows you to say goodbye and express your appreciation for their support.
• Networking opportunities: Informing your colleagues about your resignation can also provide networking opportunities, as they may be able to offer recommendations or referrals for future job opportunities.

It’s important to be tactful and discreet when informing your colleagues about your resignation. Respect any confidentiality agreements you may have signed and avoid sharing any negative feelings or criticisms about your employer or colleagues.

The best resignation letter format is a professional and formal letter that clearly communicates your intention to resign and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to work with the company. Here are some tips for formatting a resignation letter:

• Use a standard business letter format: Your resignation letter should be formatted like a standard business letter, with a header, date, salutation, body, closing, and signature.
• Use a clear and readable font: Choose a professional font such as Times New Roman or Arial, 10-12 points in size.
• Use short paragraphs: Make your resignation letter easy to read by using short paragraphs, with one idea per paragraph.
• Highlight important information: Use bold or italic fonts to highlight important information, such as the date of your last day of work.

Remember that your resignation letter is a formal document that will be kept on record, so it’s important to present a professional image. Our cover letter format guide offers additional guidance and examples for creating a formal business letter. 

Explaining your reasons for leaving a past role during a job interview is an important part of the hiring process. Here are some tips on how to do it effectively:

• Focus on the positive: Instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of your previous job, focus on what you learned from it and how you will apply these skills in your new role.
• Keep it professional: When discussing your reasons for leaving a job, it’s important to maintain professionalism. Avoid speaking negatively about your previous employer and instead focus on the reasons why the new opportunity is a better fit.
• Be concise: Keep your explanation brief and to the point. You don’t need to go into great detail about your reasons for leaving, but you should provide enough information to satisfy the interviewer’s curiosity.

By being honest, focusing on the positive, and maintaining a professional demeanor, you can effectively communicate your reasons for leaving and make a strong impression on the interviewer.

Check out this networking advice for actionable tips on how to connect with professionals in your field.