If you're planning to leave your job, here are some tips for writing a great resignation letter.
If you have been looking for a new job, and finally have a job offer, it's time to leave your current job. It's important to leave your job as professionally as possible to avoid burning bridges and possibly damaging your reputation as a professional. The best way to do this is to submit a resignation letter in writing.
Putting it in writing removes any chance of misunderstanding about when your last day is and makes your departure official. Also, when you submit a resignation letter, you are making sure that your employee file reflects the fact that you resigned rather than having been fired.
Here are some tips for writing the best resignation letter:
- Always be professional and leave gracefully. Within reason, anything you have to do to ensure a smooth exit is worth doing.
- Before you officially resign, clean out your desk and work station, leaving just the basics. This way, if your employer doesn't want you to work through your notice, you will be prepared. It depends on the industry, but sometimes when you hand in your notice, your employer may ask you to leave right away.
- Make the transition a smooth one. Offer to train a replacement or fill in for a co-worker on any responsibilities or projects you are still working on.
- Don't make any statements in your letter that you will regret. This isn't the place to air any grievances.
- Be sure that you allow the appropriate amount of notice before starting your new job. Depending on your company's policy, it could vary from two to four weeks or even longer. Find out ahead of time to avoid making commitments to your new employer.
- If your company requires you to participate in an exit interview, don't say anything negative about your boss or your co-workers. This isn't helpful and there is a high chance that the information you disclose will get back to them. You don't want their last impression of you to be a bad one.
- Thank your employer for having given you the chance to work there. Be gracious. It doesn't cost you anything, and it will leave a good impression on your supervisor.
- Review your job title and accomplishments briefly in your letter of resignation. Don't be long winded, but a quick review of what you have done while you were an employee there will help when a future employer check out your work history.
- Don't feel bad or apologize profusely for leaving. It is your right to tend to your career, and your first responsibility is to your own personal growth.
- Don't feel as though you need to explain your reasons for leaving to your boss. You can simply say that you received an offer that you want to pursue. If your mind is made up and you have already accepted a new job, there is no reason to go over the things that made you unhappy at your job. You may think that you are offering constructive criticism, but most of the time, you are just leaving a negative memory as one of your last impressions.
- Submit your letter to your immediate supervisor, but send a copy to your Human Resources department and keep a copy for your records.
What other things do you think are important when you leave a job? Let me know in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for LogisticsJobsiteBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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