Write A Resignation Letter & Resign With Style

Please read the example resignation letter, which is a one month notice letter of resignation written in full on this page.

Further down this page, I've also added a special section called 'Resign With Style' which shows you how to really tell them what you think, without them realising you are deflating their opinion of themselves, or telling them where to shove their job..

You can also search for other letters of resignation using the search box at the bottom of the page, or you can adapt this example of a one month's notice letter I've included within the section of cover letter examples.

Write Your Resignation Letter:

“Mr Bill Gateson
Departmental Manager
Beesons Domestic Products Inc.

Dear Bill

Letter of Resignation

As you know I’ve been keen to develop my career in B2B sales and have been offered a superb opportunity with Johnson Industrial, which will give me a small team to manage plus a couple of Key Accounts.

I am therefore giving you the required one calendar month's notice of resignation and will leave the company on 31st October 2007.

I will of course ensure that all my work is up to date and do all I can to help a smooth handover before I leave. If you need assistance with training a replacement I will be pleased to assist you during my remaining time.

Thank you for your guidance over the last 4 four years; although sad to be leaving, I have enjoyed working with you.

Best Regards

John Blacksmith.”

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Of course, it’s not really a covering letter, in the same way as a job application letter, but the time will come when you’ve followed all the advice and you’ve secured the new job or career change you really want.

When that happens you’ll have pleasure writing the Resignation Letter as you leave the last job; although you might be tempted, this is not the time to tell them where they can stick their job; you might want a reference from them at some point, so aim to leave on good terms. (They don’t need to know any different).

How To Write Your Resignation Letter

It's not easy to come up with any single example of a this letter, because like cover letters and CV or resumes, they are highly personal documents.

There are some general points you can remember though:

• Address it to your boss by name; you know his name, so use it. Open your letter with Dear Bill, etc.

• Get straight to the point. Your opening sentence (and subject line) should be brief and to the point. Subject: Letter of Resignation

• Briefly state your reasons. Note positive reasons for accepting a new job, not negative reasons for leaving this one.

• Make sure you have tied up the loose ends as far as possible. If you have work that someone will need to take over, write a separate note to go with your resignation letter which lists important things like urgent work or passwords.

• State your contractual notice period, for example 1 month's notice, but you might offer to stay a reasonable amount of time. More often than not, it won't be taken up, but it is a good parting gesture to make. You could offer some time to train up a replacement which is a good way for your employer to remember you (instead of just walking out) after you've served your month notice period.

• Be courteous and professional. Thank your employer for your time with the company, stating how much you appreciate it and that you are sorry to be leaving. You never know if you may want to return one day in the future.

Your letter of resignation can represent a difficult period of time - one job ending can be quite emotional. Writing a resignation letter and giving notice of leaving isn't easy - you need to handle it professionally or it could have a serious impact on your career in the future.

Resign Only When You Have A Firm Offer

Write your letter only when you have got your new job offer. The point at which you come to write this letter can represent a difficult period of time.

Giving in your resignation letter isn't always easy - you need to handle it professionally or it could have a serious impact on your career in the future.

Resist any temptation to sound off about any grievances you held or where they can stick their job, the short-lived satisfaction really is not worth the possible consequences, so think carefully when you write a resignation letter.

Or Resign With Style This Way

When you are ready to resign, why not write a resignation letter with style.

You don't have to just cover the minimum you are required to under the terms of your contract when you write a resignation letter, you can go further and resign with style.

Of course, you could just write your resignation letter and say that you are giving your notice of resignation and that you will be leaving on a certain date, but where is the fun in that?

So let me show you how to write a resignation letter and how to resign with style.

Of course they need to know the basics when you leave and you need to be sure of meeting your contractual terms, but that that shouldn't prevent you from being able to resign with style.

Now lets say you weren't happy and couldn't wait to leave the miserable job; what you probably want to do is tell your boss to stick the job and where you'd like him to shove it. That might give you a small shiver of pleasure, but it would be very short-lived and soon forgotten. Whats more you then effectively close every door that may have given you a way back if you should ever need it.

So DON'T DO IT.

Far better to cover the formal bits by saying " as required I am giving one month/ three month's notice of my resignation and will leave on 31st March 2010".

Always address your letter to your immediate boss by name, so its a personal letter of resignation.

Then you can have some fun with your letter saying something like this " there are many things I would like to say about working with you, getting to know you and your management style, but suffice it to say, I will be taking that experience with me to the new job".

This can be interpreted in two ways:

1. The genuine boss will have received a compliment - you have learned something positive for the future;

2. The bad, arrogant boss will think he has received a compliment, but you will have learned what to avoid in the future.

Only you will know the reality of which it was. This is one of the best ways to resign with style.

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When you are certain that changing your job is the best action to take you will need all the help you can get to be sure you make a good decision. My Career Change Guides have been produced specifically to guide you at every step of the way through the job change process. Take a look at what they contain and I'm sure you'll agree that they are the best investment you could make at the time of your resignation.

What matters most is that your CV and cover letter work together to get you to an interview. Neither the CV nor your job cover letters can actually get you the job, that is down to how well you perform at interview.

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January 2012: I've also added my interview manuals with questions and answers too and all for just £9.99.

This way you can be sure of the best CV and cover letter results and be prepared for your interviews.

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