Did you get a new, better job offer? Do you want to focus on your self-employed business? Or is your current work environment no longer conducive to you?
Irrespective of why you want to leave your job, you must tender a good resignation letter to your employer.
Resignation letters, like any other type of formal letter, have their own set of rules. There are things you should include and others you shouldn’t.
Generally, it’s ideal that your resignation letter is simple.
In this post, you’ll find 30 simple resignation letter sample examples. But first, let’s look at what makes a good resignation letter.
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What To Include In Your Resignation Letter?
Your resignation letter should include the following:
Contact Details
A professional letter isn’t complete without contact details. With resignation letters, there are some specific details to include, such as your name, phone number, address, email address, and job title.
Furthermore, you should add details of your job supervisor, including their name, job title, and the company’s name and address. Don’t leave out the date.
Formal Greeting
You should begin your resignation letter with a formal greeting like “Hello” or “Dear Sir or Madam.” You can also include your supervisor’s name — “Dear Mr. John,” for example.
Maintaining a formal greeting is necessary to keep things professional. Notably, if you’re going to use their name, ensure you add the correct title.
Purpose Of Your Letter
You can give your letter a heading, like “LETTER OF RESIGNATION,” or not. Whichever you choose, the first paragraph of your letter should reveal that you’re tendering your resignation. You can include the reasons for your resignation in a subsequent paragraph.
While stating your resignation, include your proposed last day in the office. It can be a week or two after the date you submitted the letter. It’ll give your employer time to process your resignation and find someone to replace you, especially when your position is a crucial one.
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Your Availability To Help Until You Leave
If your proposed last day in the office is a week or two ahead, you’ll still be coming to work for a short while. Therefore, you must let your employer know that until then, you’re available to perform your duties as demanded.
It’s one of the best ways to show professionalism. If someone is coming to replace you, it’s helpful that you’re around to make them familiar with what the job demands.
If you know anyone within your company that can handle the position, it’s not wrong to recommend them too. It’ll only show that you want the business to keep functioning as it should.
Gratitude For The Job Opportunity
An ideal way to show that you’re not leaving due to any bad blood is by being grateful. It should come towards the end of your letter, in your final paragraph, for example.
You can express how working with the company has positively impacted your career and how much you value the work experience. It will ensure a healthy relationship with the company after you leave.
Your employer will be willing to stand in as a reference for future job offers.
Formal Sign-off
Just as you begin your letter with a formal, professional greeting, you should sign off the same way. “Yours truly” or “Sincerely” are ideal before your signature.
You can also include your name or initials after the signature with your job position.
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Good Formatting
You may write a good resignation letter with the right words but get everything wrong with your formatting. To avoid this, proofread your letter after you finish it to ensure that you used proper punctuation, grammar, spacing, font, and font size, among other things.
Your resignation letter should not be more than a page long. No employer wants to spend a long time reading that an employee is leaving, no matter the reason behind it.
What Not To Include In Your Resignation Letter?
Your resignation letter should not include the following:
Lengthy Explanations
As previously stated, no employer wants to waste time reading a lengthy resignation letter. Therefore, you should avoid writing long explanations of why you’re leaving.
It might be hard, but try to keep things simple. If you must explain every one of your reasons for leaving, you can do it vis-à-vis your employer.
Negative Comments
Negative comments about your employer or co-workers should have no place in your resignation letter. Even if you are on bad terms with someone, don’t put it in writing.
Your resignation letter is more than just a letter. It’s an official document that your company will file. In the future, you may no longer be on bad terms with others and you wouldn’t want them to find out about your problems by reading your letter.
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Your Future Career Plans
You can throw in a sentence or two about what you plan to do next, but don’t overdo it. First of all, your next company or career move is not beneficial to your current employer. If anything, they could hinder your plans if they can, if you’re on bad terms.
Thank your employer for the time you spent working for them and expressing your desire to improve, and that should suffice.
Too Many Emotions
You may be leaving your employer on relatively good terms. Perhaps you’re moving to work for a new company they recommended you to or played a role in.
In such situations, it’s easy to go overboard with emotions and personal sentiments. There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging that you’ll miss your boss and colleagues, but it’s better to leave it out of your letter.
You can share your sentiments about resigning when you meet them in person.
Simple Resignation Letter Samples
Below are simple resignation letter sample examples you can use:
1. Joining A Different Company
This letter is so simple that you can point out the message with a glance. In just five paragraphs, it states the purpose of the letter, the reason for resigning, gratitude for the work experience, and availability to help with the transition process.
The highlight of the letter is the length and structure of the paragraphs. Each paragraph discusses a different topic. Notably, there’s a message urging the employer to reach out at any time.
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2. Straight To The Point
This resignation letter sample notifies the employer at least two weeks before the official resignation date. With just three paragraphs, it’s a perfect example of keeping things to the barest minimum.
If you’re leaving your employer under unfriendly circumstances, you can go with this letter. There’s not much gratitude and no detail about what you’re going to do next. The formatting is also precise making it easy to read.
3. One Paragraph Letter
If you’re working in an informal or not-so-professional job position, you can tender a short resignation letter like this one. It has just one paragraph.
Despite being short, the letter still contains all the necessary details. It includes the resigning position, effective date, gratitude, and professional sign-off.
Notably, you should pay attention to the font type and size for this type of letter. Since it’s short, it should be a bit larger.
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4. Starting A New Business
Are you resigning to set up your own business? If yes, here’s a sample from SemiOffice you can use. The letter clearly stated the reason — “to start my own business” — in the subject.
It’s a one-paragraph letter but not necessarily short. The spacing is what makes this letter a recommended sample. Even though the example suggests resigning right away, you can choose to quit at a later date.
5. Resigning For Personal Reasons
When resigning for personal reasons, you don’t have to explain yourself. Your employer must respect your privacy so long as you’re not violating any rules.
This sample clearly states that the resignation is for personal reasons without shedding any more light on the subject. However, it still contains the last employment date with some praise for the management and colleagues.
6. Traditional Resignation Letter
An ideal way to keep things simple is by using the traditional formal letter-writing style. You can draw a cue from this example.
The letter features the employee details and date at the top right, followed by the employer details on the left, then the formal greeting and bold-centered subject.
Furthermore, it signs off with the famous “Yours Faithfully,” followed by the employee’s name.
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7. Resignation Due To Retirement
Here’s a simple letter if you’re resigning because you wish to retire. If you’re retiring, it’s typical that you’ve been at the company for a long time. As a result, it won’t be out of place for the letter to be a bit lengthy.
The best thing about this letter is the choice of words. Also, the respect for the company and its workers is commendable.
You don’t have to give your reasons for retiring, but you can highlight how long you’ve worked.
8. Resigning On Short Notice
Perhaps it’s not the best time to leave your company. Maybe your decision to leave the company was impromptu. Whichever it is, you can use this short notice letter of resignation sample.
Since your resignation is coming on short notice, it’s professional for you to render a light apology, as featured in the sample.
Also, it shows that the worker wants to help the company through the transition, which is notable.
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9. Resigning For Further Education
Despite the heading, this sample isn’t for teachers alone. It’s ideal if you’re resigning because you wish to further your education.
For example, you could be working with your bachelor’s degree and wish to obtain your master’s to occupy a higher position.
Like in the sample, it’s ideal for you to clearly state what type of further education you wish to acquire.
10. Health Reasons
No one wants it, but sometimes health complications may make work impossible. In such a situation, you can use this example.
The letter opens by informing the employer about the intention to resign. However, it’s not until the second paragraph that they find out the exact reason for the resignation.
Notably, it doesn’t go into too much detail to explain the health complications. It simply states how they affect the worker’s productivity.
11. Immediate Resignation
Here’s a sample resignation letter if you have to stop working immediately.
Usually, as with most other resignation letters, you’ll have to schedule a future date for your resignation—one or two weeks. However, you may be unable to wait depending on your next move.
Notably, this sample acknowledges that immediate resignation is against the company’s policy and it pleads with the employer to consider the request.
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12. Slightly Sentimental
If you’re fond of your employer, this is an ideal simple resignation letter you can use. The letter conveys sentiments in the slightest of ways without overdoing it.
The main points are the opening “it is with great regret” and the reason behind the resignation. Notably, it explains that the decision isn’t due to dissatisfaction with the job position.
The letter is lucid with one-sentence paragraphs.
13. Plain Resignation
Maybe you prefer a face-to-face discussion rather than writing. If that’s the case, you can copy this plain resignation letter sample.
It’s a one-paragraph letter that contains the intention to resign, the job position, and the resignation date. It doesn’t include any reason for the resignation. Instead, it appeals to the employer to reach out for further clarification.
Notably, the formal greeting and sign-off are the highlights of this sample.
14. Resignation Notice
Here we have a resignation notice in the form of a letter. Talk about killing two birds with one stone. You can use this sample if you’re resigning from a prominent position.
The letter addresses two people and is also CC’d to two others. From the short opening paragraph, you immediately know what the letter is about and the effective date of the resignation.
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15. Student Resignation
This sample is for students who wish to resign to further their education. You could be a student, for example, temporarily working to raise money before college.
The letter is straight to the point, opening with the reason behind the resignation. Notably, it highlights the institution.
You can also include it in the letter if you will only be studying for a few months and will be able to return.
16. Resignation For New Job
If you’ve got a new, better job offer from a different company, here’s a sample resignation letter you can use. It’s similar to the first sample on this list but much shorter.
While the letter states that the resignation is due to a new job position with a different company, it doesn’t reveal what role or company you’re joining. It is in line with not giving away your plans to your current employer.
17. Semi-formal Position Resignation
This letter combines both formal and informal elements. Rather than the reason for writing, it opens with gratitude to the company and work team. Nevertheless, the intent to resign is stated in the first paragraph still.
The only other paragraph expresses a willingness to assist in the transition process. Also, the sign-off isn’t very formal. You should use this sample if you work in a semi-formal or informal environment.
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18. Resignation Due To Relocation
Here’s a sample resignation letter if you’re resigning because you’re moving to a new city. It could be just you relocating or, as in the case of this sample, your entire family.
The first paragraph explains the job position and the reason for resigning. The second and third paragraphs reference the valuable experiences gained and gratitude for the job opportunity.
The letter closes with information concerning the effective date.
19. Short Notice Resignation
Here is another short notice resignation letter. You’re requesting that you have to resign without waiting for the notice period as the company policy demands.
However, unlike the first, this sample accommodates the possibility of not leaving immediately.
From the closing paragraph, it’s ultimately up to the employer to determine the end date of employment. The letter only pleads that it’s soon and before the standard two weeks.
20. Next Day Resignation
Submit your resignation letter today and come to work for the last time the next day. Does that sound like your plan? If so, you can use this sample.
The reason for resigning from the sample is personal, but in your case, it can be anything. The letter appreciates the company and workers and states that the resignation is not due to any ill-feeling.
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21. Immediate Resignation HR
This two-paragraph letter states the resignation of an assistant HR manager. However, you can use it if you occupy a similar prominent post in your company.
When working with this sample, you should pay attention to the well-detailed addresses. Also, the letter asks for resignation by the end of the week, even though the employee contract calls for a three-month notice period.
22. Resignation Due To Change In Work Policy
While you should try to avoid complaining, stating the reason why you’re resigning can sometimes help. If possible, your employer may make some changes to get you to stay.
However, you have to do it right, and this is an ideal example. It portrays an employer resigning due to a change in work policy.
23. Associate Resignation
Not only full-time or part-time employees should tender a letter when resigning. If you’re an associate, like a law associate, for example, you should as well.
This sample letter/memorandum is an ideal format to tender your resignation as an associate. Notably, it gives a 20-day notice, which is necessary considering the complex work associates do.
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24. Executive Secretary Resignation
Like any other prominent employment position, resigning as an executive secretary requires that you tender your letter long ahead of time. Hence why this sample letter opens with a 30-day notice.
Furthermore, while you should keep things simple, you cannot resign from such a position in one or two sentences and this is why the letter is relatively long.
25. CEO Resignation
Not many positions are as prominent as that of a Chief Executive Officer. When resigning as a CEO, your letter should address a higher office. The board of directors, as in this sample, is a good example.
Also, gratitude is valuable in this kind of letter, and this sample shows that in two paragraphs.
26. Polite Resignation Letter
It’s normal to want to switch jobs if your current job is not in line with your career goals. You want to express your reason for resigning without making it seem like you wasted your time working.
If that is the case, you need to tender a polite resignation letter. This sample is one of the best you can get.
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27. Resigning Due To Personal Reasons
This sample letter stands out for two reasons. The first is the simple words and the second is the details.
Unlike most other letters on this list, this one opens with a paragraph of gratitude. The second paragraph states the reason for resigning and the next confirms that there’s no bad blood.
28. Union Resignation Letter
Resigning from a union might require a lot of legal proceedings. So, while you try to keep the letter simple, you shouldn’t leave out any details that back up your decision.
As a result, the main highlight of this sample is the reference to the constitution. The penultimate paragraph is also of particular interest.
29. Early Retirement Resignation
Your retirement date may not be due until later, but you wish to resign from your post. In your resignation letter, you must address the inconvenience your departure may cause.
Also, such a decision would require an important reason like moving, for example.
30. Group Resignation
Perhaps you’re writing a letter for your team and not just as an individual. If so, you can go with the last resignation letter sample example on this list.
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Bottom Line
The perfect resignation letter will depend on the circumstances surrounding your resignation. In the above list, you’ll find sample resignation letters for different scenarios.
You can easily find one to use. When you do, customize and personalize it with your details and that of your employer, and voila.
