Writing a Resignation Letter

Great care should be taken when approachingthe world is these days the likelihood of this
your employer with your letter of resignation.happening is high. Address your resignation letter
Regardless of how poor your experience maywith a positive attitude and tone. You have
have been while working for a particular company,already decided to better your current situation
all resignations should be handled in a professionaland by writing your resignation letter with an
manner.aggressive tone and an attitude of complacency
While you may be looking forward to startingwill only make a sensitive situation worse. It is
your new job, you will also need to say goodbyeyour job to illustrate your willingness to make the
to colleagues whom you may have developedresignation process and notice period run as
close relationships with. Whatever your resignationsmoothly as possible.
story may be and however interesting it mayUse your resignation letter to display humility as
sound, aim to resign with dignity and pride andwell as your best business etiquette. With a
never burn your bridges.positive attitude, detail that it is your intention to
There is usually a compelling reason to look for aprovide written notice to terminate your
new job and to want to quit your current job andemployment. After confirming the details of your
most of the time it's because your currentnotice period in your employment contract, include
working environment no longer fits yourthe start date and end date of the notice period
employment needs. While this may sound like theyou will be working. Job Seekers who may feel
"amicable" way to describe your resignation letter,uncomfortable discussing the details of their new
it will be to your advantage to approach eachemployment, need not mention such information
resignation document with such a neutral stance.as this is not a requirement of resigning from
Never use your termination letter as anyour job.
opportunity to voice your gripes with yourSTEP FOUR: Your Resignation Notice Period.
company or to "tell your employer off". If youAlthough detailing your notice period makes up the
have reached the resignation phase you should becontent of your resignation letter I have listed this
steadfast in your decision and airing dirty laundryas a separate step to exaggerate the importance
about your company in your letter to terminateof this facet to resigning. Before preparing your
your employment will only lead to animosity andresignation letter it is vitally important that you
resentment. When handing in your letter ofrefer back to your employment contract to be
resignation, do so with respect for your employerclear on the resignation terms and conditions that
as well as yourself.you have agreed to. Depending on how long you
Read further for steps to writing a resignationhave been employed at a company your notice
letter and be sure to leave your old job with aperiod may vary from company to company but
positive impression.this will be clearly defined in your employment
STEP ONE: Resignation Letter Stationery.contract.
While the stationery you present your letter ofIn most companies, a notice period is either four
resignation on may be the very last thing on yourworking weeks or a full calendar month in which
mind, this is exactly the reason why this step isemployees have to work in their notice. Based on
listed as being of first and foremost importancethese details, it is of the utmost importance that
when resigning. Present your resignation letter onyou clearly state the date from which your notice
clean un-used white paper. Don't try to sugar coatperiod will begin. You will also have to define the
the fact that you are quitting your job by writingdate at which your notice period will conclude and
your termination letter on feminine paper orthe termination of your employment will be
anything other than the norm. Regular A4 (Aeffective from. As these are company specific
four) paper should suffice, accompanied with theterms and conditions please confirm your notice
company's logo. If you have one available to use,obligations prior to resigning and make sure you
the company letter head is perfect on which tohave been clear with your intentions in your
write your resignation letter.resignation letter.
Take pride in yourself and your business ethics bySTEP FIVE: Thank Your Company.
preparing your letter of resignation on stationeryWhile you may be fed up with your company
that reflects your professionalism and attention.today, there was a time during your employment
STEP TWO: The Resignation Letter Layout.that you were happy. Even if this is not the case,
If you are anything like me, the last time youby having been employed by the company you
took note of how to write a formal resignationnow wish to resign from, it will be to your
letter, was years ago, so here is a simple cleanadvantage to express your thanks and gratitude
layout that you can use to guide you whenin your notice letter. This is where some may
preparing your letter of termination ofhave to dig deep and keep their comments
employment. On the top left hand side (justamicable and polite but try to remember the age
beneath the company logo if you are using aold saying; "If you have nothing nice to say...lie!"
letter head) of your letter of resignation, startingAny resignation it a difficult task to endure and
on a new line per detail, list the name of your linethe formality of a resignation letter is something
manager or supervisor whom you will be resigningwe all have to do it at some stage in our career.
with, followed by their title or designation, theThe easier you make this on yourself the better
name of the company and finally the date. Oncethis process will be for you as well as your
you have stated these details, skip two lines andemployer. Remember that each working
begin your resignation letter by addressing theexperience that you have is a valuable reference.
person whom you intend on resigning with.In order to secure a positive reference you need
STEP THREE: Resignation Letter Content andto ensure that you are compliant to company
Tone.policy and procedures when resigning as well as
Your last impression is as important as your first.display compassion and understanding to your
To elaborate on this, it is safe to say thatemployer in your letter to terminate your
although you may be desperate to give youremployment.
boss a piece of your mind when resigning, don't.Nothing in business is personal and it is up to you
Never burn your bridges when resigning andto be the bigger person and display your maturity
remember that the boss you resign from todayas well as your business acumen. If that fails,
may be a client you are trying to sign tomorrow.Oscar Wilde once said "Always forgive your
There may come a time where your path mayenemies...nothing annoys them more.
cross an ex- employer and considering how small