Sample Resignation Letters: New Employment in a Management Role

See the Sample Resignation Letters for an Employee Departing on Good Terms

Woman resigning from work
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Writing a resignation letter is a tricky business. You want your employer to know that you are definitely leaving and when. In many instances, you may even want to tell your employer why you are leaving.

Reasons to Write a Resignation Letter

You may decide to tell the employer why you are leaving especially when you are sharing good news about your career. While your leaving may not be positive for your current employer, the appearance of success and a new opportunity leave a positive impression with your manager and others who access your personnel file over the years.

In other cases, you may decide to keep the letter short, to-the-point, and professional, but provide no information about why you're leaving in writing. It depends on the circumstances under which you are leaving and the culture and expectations of your organization.

Job search and career experts recommend that the resignation letter, and the possible exit interview if your organization does them, stay positive and professional no matter why you have decided to leave your job.

The key is to speak honestly, but not to disparage, criticize or come off looking like an idiot. After all, your real opportunity to improve your organization and fix the reasons that may have caused you to leave was while you were still a committed employee.

Under no circumstances do you want to burn any bridges by how you decide to resign from your current job. You don't want to harm your reputation or future opportunities. You never know when you will meet or need your coworkers again.

Your paths may cross again in the future or you can discover that their recommendation could pave the way for your next opportunity.

Sample Resignation Letter: Future Plans (Text Version)

Date
Name of Supervisor
Company Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Name of Immediate Manager:

The purpose of this letter is to resign from my employment with Company Name. My last day is (two weeks from the date of the letter).

I am resigning from my current employment because I have been offered and accepted a position that will give me management responsibilities. The new position also affords me the opportunity to begin working in a company that serves customers globally. International experience is a key goal of mine in the future, as you know.

I will miss working with you very much as you have provided me with many opportunities to both learn and contribute. Your coaching and support have been invaluable to my career and professional progress. I will also miss working with many of my coworkers and our customers and take many positive memories with me to my new employment.

Again, best wishes for a positive future. Please call on me if there is anything I can do to help ease the transfer of my work to other employees or to help train your new employee.

Again, I am excited about my new opportunity but sad to leave an organization where I have been happy.

Sincerely,

Employee Signature

Employee Name

Sample Resignation Letter Brief: Future Plans

This second sample letter is brief and does not state why the employee is leaving, only that he is leaving for a new job and happy to train others.

Sample Resignation Letter Brief: Future Plans (Text Version)

Date
Name of Supervisor
Company Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Name of Immediate Manager:

I'm writing to give my two week's notice as I have accepted a new position at another employer. I'll happily work the two weeks if that is your wish. I will also be happy to assist in training my replacement or training other current employees in the components of my job.

Please let me know what you want me to do as my final day is (two weeks from the date of the letter).

Regards,

Employee Signature

Harry Schneider

Both resignation letters are appropriate documentation that the employer can place in the employee's file in case the employer needs to refer to the resignation letter in the future.