How to Write a Resignation Letter (Example & Template)

You won’t need a Phoenix feather, dragon scale, and spider to write a graceful resignation letter. It’s not a magic potion, and it doesn’t require a spell.

What you really need is a pinch of gratitude and a sprinkle of discretion. I’ll share a template with you on top of instructions encompassing precisely that.

This guide will show you: 

• A letter of resignation template better than 9 out of 10 others.
• How to write an employee resignation letter that sets the right tone.
• Tips and examples of writing a professional letter of resignation with confidence.
• How to give your thanks to your current employer on a formal resignation letter.

Writing a letter of resignation is pretty straightforward, which you can’t say about cover letters that you’ll be sending any minute now. We can help you ease your way through. Pick a template, answer a few questions, and have your job-winning cover letter generated in no time.

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You can create plenty of letters with our builder. See what types and how to write them with these guides: 

Cover Letter How-To Guide

How to Write a Pain Letter

Letter of Intent Writing Guide

Motivation Letter: How To Write

Reference Letter Template & Writing Guide

Letter of Interest Guide

Career Change Cover Letter Example

Resignation Letter Template

Now, this is how to write a short resignation letter:

How to Write a Resignation Letter

You decided to quit your job and pursue another opportunity. Or not. Either way, you need to write a simple letter of resignation to inform human resources and give your employer enough time to find a replacement.

This is how to resign gracefully:

1. Address Your Employer

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when telling your boss you quit your job. And you have to do it twice, first, in person and later on paper. What a nightmare. Either way, your employer deserves a proper address.

In the letter of resignation, leave your basic contact information in the header. That includes:

• Your full name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address.

Next, state your writing date, as it’ll serve as the date you formally resigned. 

And to address the supervisor, mention their:

• Full name
• Job title
• Company name
• Address.

Here’s how the header of a resignation letter should look:

2. State the Basics

Now it’s time to put forward the most basic information in your resignation letter. You must say from which position and company you resign to avoid leaving any room for questions. Plus, make the effective date your last day at work.

Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my position as Sales Associate with Buyerific, effective May 31, 2022. 

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3. Mark Your Gratitude

So the next thing you need to do in the resignation letter is to say your thanks for the things you’ve learned and enjoyed. You still want to make a good impression despite parting from the company. After all, who knows—you might come back, or need a positive reference from your boss. It’s best not to burn any bridges. 

4. Offer Your Help

Lastly, offer your help during the transition. You want to be there in your best self until the very end. Again, it’s about leaving that lasting positive impression while you’re still there. So don’t promise anything you won’t be able to deliver during the two-week notice period in the letter.

Resignation Letter Format

Letters of resignation are formal letters, and that’s the format you must go for. Let me show you how to achieve it:

• Create 1-inch margins on all sides and leave 1–1.15 line spacing in the text.
• Choose 1.5 spacing between paragraphs.
• Pick a legible font, such as Arial or Helvetica. Make it between 10–12 points in font size.
• Left-align your writing. 
• Stick to one page. You’ve said enough during your exit interview.

You informed your boss and HR, but what about your team members? Write a goodbye email to your coworkers, too, to end things on a positive note. Who knows, maybe you’ll work together in the future.

Thank you for reading my article!

What do you think of this sample letter of resignation? Is there anything else you would add to it? What do you struggle with in the whole resignation letter writing experience?

Let us know in the comments!