Two Weeks Notice Template & How-To Writing Advice

Start with your name and contact information
You must adhere to a business letter format when writing a formal resignation letter since you have a professional relationship with the company. This means having your name and contact details — such as your address and phone number — at the top of the page.

It’s important to note that putting your contact details at the top only applies if you submit a hard copy of your resignation letter. If you’re emailing your resignation notice, you’ll typically write your contact information at the bottom after your signature.

You’ll need to write down the date of the letter just below your name and contact information.

Including the date in your resignation letter is important since your company’s human resource department will use it to start your notice period formally.

As part of adhering to the business letter format, you’ll list the company name and address. Start by writing the company name, followed by its street address, city, state and zip code.

Pro tip:Use professional and easily legible fonts, like Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial, and keep your font size between 10 and 12 points.

You’ll typically address the resignation letter to your boss or manager. However, in certain cases, you may need to address it to a whole unit, department or company.
If you’re on a first-name basis with your employer, you can address them by their first name. But if this isn’t the case, you should address them using their formal title (Mr./Mrs./Ms.) and last name. For instance, if your manager’s name is Kennedy Brown, your salutation should read “Dear Mr. Brown.”

When tendering a resignation letter, it’s always best to be as straightforward and concise as possible.

In your opening statement, state clearly that you’re choosing to resign from your current position and provide the date of your last day of employment.

In most organizations, providing a two-week notice period before your end date is standard practice. However, this may or may not be the case at your company. So, find out about this beforehand and use the information to devise a date for your final day at work.

Pro tip:Check your company’s employee handbook to see their resignation policy.

Once you’ve expressed your wish to leave the company, you can provide your employer with your reasons for that decision in the body of the letter. For instance, you might be leaving the organization to embark on a new challenge, take up a new position at another company, take care of your family or further your education. Whatever your reasons are, make sure to provide them concisely.

It’s worth noting that this step is not necessary. So, if you don’t feel like sharing your reasons for leaving the company, you don’t have to. As long as you maintain a positive tone throughout the notice letter, chances are your former employer will understand and accept your decision.

Whatever your reasons for leaving your current company, it’s never a bad idea to thank your employer for the opportunity you’ve had working with them. Not only does it show grace and professionalism, but it also leaves the company and your coworkers with a positive impression of you.

It would be a good idea to share some positive experiences you’ve had at the organization, what you’ve learned and any positive relationships you’ve enjoyed during your tenure at the company.

When leaving your current job, you want your departure to be as smooth and non-disruptive to the company as possible. For this reason, you should keep the lines of communication open and volunteer any support you can during the transition period. Commit to wrapping up any unfinished tasks before your departure and ensure your employer knows you’re ready for a smooth handover when the time comes.

Pro tip:Keep the letter within one page. Adhere to single-spaced sentencing and leave a space between each paragraph.