How to Write a Letter of Resignation

How to Write a Letter of Resignation

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What your letter of resignation should include

Your resignation letter doesn’t need to be long or complicated, but some aspects should be standard, as follows. – Date your letter so there's written documentation of how much formal notice you have given the company. – Address the letter to the appropriate person. – Keep the opening paragraph short and to the point regarding your intention to resign.

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What your letter of resignation should include

– Provide the date of your last day with the company. – Sign your letter, followed by your personal/forwarding contact information for any post-departure questions or communication.

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Extend an offer of support

Make it clear in your resignation letter that you are willing to assist with training your replacement and preparing your team for your exit. Explain that you will aim to complete your current tasks before you leave and provide key information in writing about contacts or dates when regular duties need to be completed. (Take a look at a resignation letter example, below, to see how this can be done.)

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Express your appreciation in writing

Even though you may not always have enjoyed positive experiences in your current role, it’s likely your employer has invested time and money training you for the position. This makes it courteous to thank your manager for the opportunities you’ve been given. No job is smooth sailing all the time, and it can help to think 

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Express your appreciation in writing

back to some of the best times with the company to set the tone of your thank-you. It’s all part of adopting a professional approach to your resignation letter and leaving behind a good impression.

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What to avoid

It’s likely your employer will keep your resignation letter with other employee files, and it may be referred to in the future if another company requests a professional reference.  This being the case, a poorly written or overly critical resignation letter has the potential to impact your career after you’ve moved on from your current job. 

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What to avoid

Some topics to steer clear of: – Don’t explain why you are leaving. – Don’t vent about the downsides of the job, your coworkers or the company. – Don’t brag about what you’re doing next. – Don’t send an unedited letter with errors. – Stick to the basics, no more than one page.

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