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Resignation letter - how to write a resignation letter

So you're handing in your resignation?  Well assuming they don't escort you off the premises straight away, they will probably ask you to hand in your resignation letter.  Clearly you can't say, "I hated my boss, I was offered more money elsewhere" when writing a letter of resignation!  Well, you could, but you would end up burning some bridges.

This article will cover how to write a resignation letter so you don't end up killing your career a few years down the line!

An example of why you need to write a good resignation letter

A hypothetical situation.

You are in a job you hate.  Your boss is a tyrant and the pay sucks.  So you start looking for another job and after a while of ducking out for interviews, you are made an offer.

Screw the boss.  You walk out without a word - you don't leave a resignation letter.

That's fine at the time, but a few years down the line, your new employer has expanded and you have been promoted.  You are going for a new contract for the firm which will mean big money (and big commission).  You head out to meet your new potential client and who are you faced with?  Your old boss, now in charge of a new department / company / whatever.

Many careers these days are built and broken on personal relationships, so by writing a letter of resignation when you leave a job can help protect possible future relationships.

In the short term, writing a letter of resignation can ensure you receive a decent reference from your ex-employer.

How to write a resignation letter

Writing a letter of resignation can be tough.  You are handing in your resignation for a reason - either you don't like your job or you have be offered a better one.

So it's going to be tough to try and write an amicable letter that won't anger your boss.  A lot of employers do take a personal interest in their staff and can take it as a personal failure if a valued member of staff leaves.  Remember, they also have to report to their boss and explain why their team / department / office is a member of staff down.

Your aim when writing a letter of resignation should be to create a document which your boss can hold in his / her hand and feel absolved of any blame or fault over your departure.

It doesn't matter that they were wrong!  You need to put your personal feelings behind you - now isn't the time to say what you "really" feel!  (that's the Xmas party - joke! :P)

Some areas you should cover when you write your letter of resignation:

• Thank your employer for your time there.

• Explain briefly why you are leaving.

• If your reasons for leaving are going to cause more ill-feeling then make something up!

• If you can't think of anything then just use the catch-all excuse of being offered a better package elsewhere!

• REMEMBER!  "Always forgive your enemies....nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde.  As much as you want to shout and scream at that boss who you hated, thanking them, even apologising for your behaviour can be the sweetest revenge! ;)  And it doesn't hurt your career!

Example of a resignation letter

It's hard to come up with an example of a resignation letter, because like covering letters and CV or resumes, they are fairly personal documents.  But there are some general points you can remember.

• Personal opening.  You know your bosses name, so use it.  Open your letter with Dear John, etc.

• Get 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 the points in the previous section about this.

• Make sure you have tied up loose ends.  If you have work that someone will need to take over, create a separate document to attach to your resignation later which lists important stuff like urgent work or passwords, etc.

• Offer to stay a reasonable amount of time.  More often than not, it won't be taken up on, but it is a good parting gesture to make.  Offering time to train up a replacement (or hire one) is a good way for your employer to remember you (ie, as oppose to just walking out).

• End professionally.  Thank your employer for your time with the company, stating how much you appreciate it.

Your resignation is a fragile period of time.  Writing a resignation letter isn't easy - you need to handle it professionally or it could have a serious impact on your career in the future.

Regards

Scott Boyd - Webmaster and Founder - Jobseekers Advice

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