Your resignation

• So you’ve secured that job offer and have an exciting new career opportunity to pursue. The down side is that you now have to resign, so here are a few pointers:
• A written letter is always preferable to a verbal resignation on its own, as it gives you time to think about what you’re going to say and see it in black and white before the deed itself. Remember that however much you may dislike your current job and/or boss, you should never commit these thoughts to paper where they can come back to haunt you!
• A resignation letter need only include: Your name, date, the person it is addressed to, notice of termination of employment, when this is effective from and your signature. However, if you’re leaving in good circumstances, you may wish add a thank you for the opportunities the role has given you and/or that you will miss working with your colleagues. If you’re stuck for what to say, have a look at our instant resignation letter below?
• When handing in your resignation, try to emphasise the positives: you never know when your paths might cross again, so always leave the meeting on a good note and be as co-operative as possible. Stress that you will undertake the handover of any uncompleted work to the best of your ability. People remember both the first and last impression you make on them.
• Unless your boss is expecting you to resign, your decision may come as a surprise, so be prepared for a reaction. They may get emotional or even confrontational in which case, you need to stick to your prepared comments and retain your composure at all costs.
• Your boss may decide to counter-offer and if salary was your only issue, then you may decide to stay. However, salary alone is rarely the only reason people decide to move on, so if you are tempted, you need to consider:
  
      What were my original motives for leaving?
      Why did I have to resign before I was offered a higher salary/more responsibility?
      Has anything else changed?
      Will my boss view me differently/trust my commitment from now on?
      Will I permanently damage my chances of working with this new company if I turn down this offer?
• If you are tempted to stay then be aware that people in this situation are often job hunting again within 6 months!

Preview of letter - Personalise, preview and print

<<Company name and address>>

<<Date>>

Dear <<Your boss’s name>>

As required by my Contract of Employment, I hereby give <<Your notice period>> notice, effective from today that I will be leaving my role of <<Your job title>>.

I have decided that it is time to move on and I have accepted a position elsewhere. This was not an easy decision to make but I am confident that my new role will help me to achieve some of the goals I have for my career.

Please be assured that I will do everything I can to make the transfer of my responsibilities as smooth as possible.

I wish both you and <<Company Name>> every success for the future and would like to thank you for the opportunities you have given me.

Yours sincerely

 

<<Your name>>