The Resignation Letter

16 November 2008  

The Resignation Letter

Writing a resignation letter is a key career tool. Get it wrong and you could leave with bad feelings – you never know when your paths may cross again.

• It must be laid out as a standard business letter.
• It should never be more than one page long.
• It should be printed on a good quality paper, typically 100gsm in weight and watermarked. Ensure that the stationary used for your CV and Cover Letter are the same.
• Even if you verbally hand in your notice, you must formalise it with a letter.
• Begin as you would any other formal latter, suitably addressed and dated.
• Explain your reasons for leaving in a clear and rational way.
• Explain your intention to resign along with a brief explanation of your reasons for leaving.
• State your willingness to work your full notice period..
• If you are leaving in good circumstances then it is a good idea to thank your boss for the opportunities that they presented to you or for the experience gained whilst working for the company.
• Resist the temptation to bad mouth and let off steam..
• Handle your resignation letter like you would any business document – professionally. Make sure you leave behind a lasting positive impression of yourself.
• Keep words, sentences and paragraphs short. It is recommended that there should be no more than four or five paragraphs, or 200 words.

For examples of resignation letters or more information about resigning, visit: Resignation letter examples.

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