Resignation Letter Template

What Types of Resignation Letters Exist

Usually, the main difference in resignation letters is the notice about the date of your last day at work. Pick the one that fits your situation. The three common types are:

• Two weeks’ notice (sometimes four weeks)
• Short notice, which is less than two weeks
• Immediate resignation, which means you quit right away

Two Weeks Notice Letter

With two (sometimes, four) weeks’ notice, you give your supervisor the opportunity to find or train a suitable specialist to perform your job duties. It’s a common and recommended practice to hand in a resignation letter with at least two weeks’ notice.

Short Notice Letter

Short notice means that you quit the job earlier than in standard two weeks. If your employment agreement or employee handbook doesn’t provide otherwise, you can define a shorter period after which you will be leaving, for example, a week or five days. It’s useful to check whether the employment documents have special requirements on the issue.

Immediate Resignation

An immediate letter of resignation means that you provide at least 24-hour notice about your departure. Sometimes, there can be circumstances beyond our control, such as health deterioration, or a person would like to change career paths or industries drastically. So, when you have to quit tomorrow, apologize and politely explain your situation to your supervisor.

What to Include in a Resignation Letter

Whatever the type, most resignation letters contain similar parts. If you look through some resignation letter templates, you will see that all of them have the following five paragraphs, in this order:

1. The heading with the date, company name, person’s name, and position.
2. The statement of intent to quit and the reason for quitting.
3. The date of the final day of work.
4. Thanks to your supervisor and the company.
5. The intention to help during the transition period if necessary.

Things to Avoid in a Resignation Letter

There are a few things to skip when you write your resignation letter:

• Explicit information about the reasons for your resignation. While it’s recommended to mention the reason, you should not go into detail and explain why you want to change your job. Going into all the details can lead to eventually stating the disadvantages of the current job.
• Negative comments about your soon-to-be-former workplace. In the same way, you don’t need to express all your dissatisfaction with the job you are leaving. It’s always better to keep on good terms with former supervisors.
• Details about your new job. Bragging about your new job may be interpreted as disrespect for your current workplace, especially when your future workplace is innovative and leading edge in the sphere.

How to Quit the Job Professionally

A resignation may be a hard process for you, especially if you have good relationships with your boss and team members. These four steps help you finish your job smoothly, protect your reputation and stay on good terms.

1. Tell your boss in person. No matter when you will leave the company and why, talking to your boss in advance is never a bad idea. That’s how you discuss all the issues regarding your resignation—when and why you will quit, whether you can finish all the tasks and assist during the transition period.
2. Write a resignation letter. Writing a resignation letter is not necessary, but you are highly recommended to prepare one. It will help to file the necessary documents after your departure. A resignation letter gives you the possibility to indicate your last day of work. Besides, it’s a good way to thank your employer for the opportunities and experience. Before you write, look through a few templates and tips.
3. Finish all projects and tasks. If you give your resignation letter in advance, you will have some time to finish your projects and tasks. It will sustain a good impression of you as a responsible employee. It’s important to use this time to complete all tasks. In a resignation letter, you can mention your intention to help with the transition period as well.
4. Hand over your duties. The final step to professionally end your resignation is to hand over your duties to a new employee and indicate the point where you have left your work. It’s a good idea to prepare everything in advance and hand over everything when the time comes.

How to Write a Resignation Letter

Once you have decided to resign, it’s time to write your letter. Our resignation letter template covers the general information, and you can add anything else you need. Use the samples below for inspiration, and keep an amicable tone as you follow these steps:

1. Start with a heading. At the beginning of the letter, you should identify the company name, your name, and the position you are resigning from. It may seem obvious, but the letter is a document, and you should stick to the rules, even if you have friendly relationships with your boss. The same applies to the salutation—it’s better to use a formal one, that is, “Mr./Mrs.” and the first name of a person.
2. Describe your intention to leave. The first paragraph of the letter always indicates your statement of intent to quit the position, including the date when you are leaving. It’s also possible to include a reason for quitting, but make sure that it’s described generally.
3. Express your thanks. The next paragraph should be devoted to the appreciation and gratitude to the staff for all the opportunities. Try to be polite and thank your employer for the opportunities and experience. You can describe the things you appreciated most about working there.
4. Indicate your determination to help. It would be great if you could find the time to help with a transition period. If you are really determined to help, do not forget to mention it in your resignation letter. It’s necessary to explain that you are willing to finish your projects and assist in training coworkers or new employees for the role.
5. Finish your letter with the signature. As with every official document, you should end the resignation letter with your name and signature, whether hand-written for hard-copy letter or electronic for email (if applicable). You can also add contact information (phone and email address) at the end of the letter, so it’s convenient to get in touch with you when needed.

Resignation Letter Template Samples

Use these two samples as a starting point. Replace the names, dates and details with your own, and keep the letter short and polite. Both samples follow the same order:

• The date, company, position and your name
• Your statement of intent and your last day
• Thanks for the opportunities
• An offer to help with the handover, when possible
• A friendly closing and your signature

Resignation Letter With a Two Weeks Notice

11/16/2026

Company A

Sales Manager

Mary Smith

Dear Mr. Andersen

With deep regret, I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from my position as sales manager for personal reasons. My last day at work will be 11/30/2026.

I want to thank you for your encouragement and support for my career growth. I really appreciate you being my mentor and such a great leader. I am also grateful for the opportunity to work with such a powerful team. I have had a wonderful and fruitful time working at Company A.

I am determined to finish all my projects and complete all the current tasks. I understand that it can be hard to find a specialist in this position, so I can train the person who will take over my duties. Please, let me know if there is anything else I can do to assist during the transition period.

I wish the company its well-deserved success and look forward to staying in touch!

Sincerely,

Mary Smith

(signature)

Immediate Resignation Letter

11/16/2026

Company B

Assistant Manager

John Smith

Dear Mrs. Perkins

Please, accept this letter as a formal notification of my immediate resignation from the assistant manager position. I sincerely apologize for not providing notice. But due to the sudden deterioration in my health, I won’t be able to perform the work properly. My last day at work will be tomorrow, November 17, 2026.

I am very grateful for all the career opportunities you have granted me during these several years. I will never forget the time working at Company B and our support team. Thank you for encouraging me to pursue my business and career goals. I appreciate the opportunity to work with such professional colleagues.

Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, I cannot assist in the transition and hand my current tasks over to the next employee. However, please let me know if you have any questions. I will do everything in my power to help you.

I hope to stay in touch!

Kind regards,

John Smith

(signature)

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I send a resignation letter or an email?

A printed letter feels formal, while an email gives you a dated copy that is easy to forward to HR. Pick the format your workplace uses most, and keep the text short and polite either way. For an email, use a clear subject line and attach your letter.

How long should a resignation letter be?

Keep it to one page. A few short paragraphs are enough:

• Say you are leaving and name your last day
• Thank everyone you worked with
• Offer to help with the handover

Who should I address my resignation letter to?

Address it to your direct manager. You can also send a copy to HR so your last day is on file.

Should I explain why I am leaving?

A short, general reason is enough, such as a new opportunity or personal reasons. Skip details about conflicts or your next job, and keep the tone positive.

How do I create a resignation letter from a template online?

Select Create My Document at the top of this page and answer a few simple questions. FormsPal saves your progress, so you can finish on any device, then download and print the letter.

General information, not legal or tax advice.

Jennifer M. Settles

Author & Attorney

With over 25 years of experience as a business and transactional attorney, Jennifer has mastered the craft of closing highly successful deals for her clients. Through her wide-ranging expertise in commercial contracts, real estate transactions, M&A and corporate law, Jennifer secures results that are second-to-none.