It is never easy to leave a job, even if you have a great new one waiting for you. You never want to burn any bridges with your previous employers, as you don’t know when you may need a recommendation. Therefore, it is beneficial to announce your departure in the proper manner.You may have enjoyed your job and are simply moving onto a higher-paying gig. You may have gotten a new job because you absolutely hated working at this position. Either way, you want to maintain the higher ground and maintain your professionalism.If you are uncertain how to tell a boss you are leaving, then review our letter of resignation for a new job templates. See what information and formatting is ideal to include.
Letter of Resignation for a New Job Template
Beth Danas has been working at her current position as an office assistant for a year now. She does not necessarily dislike this job, but she has grown bored and has realized there is no upward momentum. Therefore, she applied for a position as an office administrator that will pay her $5,000 more annually. She likes her old boss well enough, and she wants to maintain a professional tone throughout the letter.
Dear Mr. Dwyer,
Please accept this notice as my letter of resignation from my position as office assistant at Peterson & Myers, LLC. As per the agreement I signed at the beginning of my employment, I am giving my two weeks’ notice. My last day at Peterson & Myers, LLC will be October 17th.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to hone my skills at this organization for the past year. I learned how to use an array of new software and how to operate various pieces of equipment. I have also developed my communication skills greatly. While I am grateful for these experiences, I have accepted a new position as an office administrator at the Preston Paper Company. I could not imagine to moving onto such opportunities without your aid and guidance, and I thank you.
I am able to do anything you need to make the transition smoothly. I can even train the new hire who will replace me as office assistant if you need it. Let me know if there is any way I can help. I wish everyone at this company the best, and I hope to stay in touch.
Respectfully yours,
Beth Danas
How To Write a Letter of Resignation for a New Job
A resignation letter is one of the most sensitive documents you can give to an employer. You want to make it clear when exactly you will leave. You also want to express how you are grateful for the opportunity to work at this company and how you are willing to help the company in your remaining weeks.
An important factor to keep in mind is to get to the point quickly. The first sentence should state your intention to leave the company. You never want a letter to your boss to be unclear. You also want to explicitly state right from the top when your last day will be. In the event you have a contract in place, you want to mention it in the letter to show your boss you are aware of what the contract calls for.
After you state how you want to resign, thank the employer for the opportunity to work for him or her. It does not matter how you actually felt about your position. If you genuinely loved this job and are simply moving onto bigger and better opportunities, then make your feelings known. However, if you hated your job, then leave that out. Make a positive impression so that you can use your boss as a reference down the line.
It is common courtesy to provide two weeks’ notice to your boss. If you will stick around at the company for a couple extra weeks, say how you are willing to help make your departure easier in that time. This can include training new hires or working extra hours to get the company’s workload ahead of schedule. The letter of resignation for a new job template above utilizes all these tips.
What To Avoid in Your Letter of Resignation for a New Job
One component to keep in mind is to keep this letter short. You do not have to write several pages about how you love this job and are sad to depart. You simply need to say you want to resign and provide a few details about your time working at this company. Always make sure to thank your employer for the experience.
All of this plays into the goal of not burning any professional bridges. Even if you know for a fact you will never want a letter of recommendation from this employer, your reputation can get away from you. Word travels fast, and especially if you plan on staying in the same industry, then prospective employers may hear about you before you apply for a job with them.
Finally, you do not want to sound insincere. Be honest about what you learned and gained, but there is no need to include a lot of flowery language that sounds too over-the-top.
How To Follow Up After Sending Your Letter of Resignation for a New Job
In many cases, it is appropriate to hand your boss your letter of resignation in person. However, in the event you are not there for its delivery, you want to follow up with your boss after a day or two to make sure he or she has received it. When you only have two weeks at a job left, you do not want your boss to face any surprises.
After you have reached out, your boss may explain what he or she needs from you during your remaining time. You should make yourself available to carry out any tasks your supervisor asks of you so that you can preserve a positive reputation.
It is also a good idea to inform your co-workers of your departure. You do not need to send letters to them, but give them a heads-up that you plan on leaving.
Top 5 Letter of Resignation for a New Job Writing Takeaways
1. Get to the point
You do not want to leave your boss guessing as to what this letter is about. State how you are resigning from your position within the first sentence of the letter. Keep the rest of the document to less than a page in length.
2. Check your contract
In the event you have a contract at your workplace, make sure you are in compliance with it. If the contract requires you to give two weeks’ notice, then make sure you provide it. If you have a new job, your new boss should understand how you need to stay for two weeks.
3. Be courteous and grateful
Say what you are most grateful for in your resignation letter. The resignation letter is not the time to list your grievances.
4. Provide a hand-off
The end of the letter should say how you want to help with the transition. You do not have to promise anything specifically, but you should make it known you are there to help.
5. Leave a good final impression
It is not unheard of for new jobs to not pan out and a person have to go back to an old job. This does not happen all the time, but you want to prepare for anything. Make sure you depart on a good note to increase your chances of being able to return.
