Writing A Resignation Letter

Leaving a job can be stressful, especially during the weeks when you’re still making up your mind – the sense of immediate betrayal can be a bit much. Once you’ve decided to escape one of the best ways to finally build up courage to hand in your notice is writing the resignation letter. It helps you solidify your reasons for going in a cohesive argument – getting it wrong could cause bad feelings and leave you being resented by your previous employer.

Stay Positive

Remaining positive is a good idea for this process – your boss is likely to feel upset or affronted when you verbally hand in your notice, using the letter as a way of soothing any wounds is a great way to ensure a decent relationship in future if your paths cross again. Being positive will make the last weeks of your job seem much less stressful than it could have been.

Be Clear

Write clearly and concisely, explain your reasons for leaving the company rationally. The tone should be formal but familiar – make sure you are explaining everything in a way which could not cause offence.

Your boss is unlikely to want to know how much you hated your job – so don’t tell them! Instead simply tell them the most poignant reason for your leaving keeping it simple. It is not worth being so honest as to shoot yourself in the foot! It is also wise to keep away from inter-personal issues from within the company – this is unlikely to go down well for your notice period.

Working a Full Notice Period

You should also state that you are willing to work for your entire notice period – while this is expected it is just a sign for your boss of your professionalism. While your notice period can be as little as two weeks some senior positions will ask for a much longer commitment.

Say Thanks

If you are leaving in good circumstances you should say thank you to your previous employer for the opportunities they have offered and the experience you have gained.

If you are leaving in a fume of bad experiences it is best to keep your letter of resignation polite and to the point. Burning bridges is no way to go – as tempting as it may be!

Your resignation is as important as your CV and your covering letter; it is a very concrete and permanent way to make an impression on an employer – so best to get it right!