How to Resign From a Job for Personal Reasons

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When you need to resign from a job for personal reasons, it can be difficult to know how to tell your employer, and how much information to share.

You don't necessarily need to provide details to your employer. For example, you can simply state that you are leaving for personal reasons or family reasons. You're not obligated to explain why you're moving on.

In some cases, you may want to give a reason. For example, if you are leaving because of a family illness or you are going to be a stay-at-home parent, you might share this. You may be interested in working for the employer in the future. If you are, leaving on good terms will help your case for possibly being rehired at some point in time.

Note

If you'd like to provide your employer with a reason for your resignation, there are some good reasons you can share to leave on a positive note.

To help you navigate the process, here's some advice on how to resign, how to tell your boss, and how to stay on good terms with the company after you leave.

How Much Information to Share

It can be hard to know how much to share with your employer about why you are leaving.

Note

If you are at all uneasy about sharing your reasons, simply say that you are leaving for personal reasons. This will demonstrate to your boss that you are not leaving because you are unhappy with the company.

If you think you might reapply for a job at the company once your personal issues are resolved, you might provide a bit more detail. For example, if you are resigning because you are going to be a stay-at-home parent for a couple of years, you might explain this to your boss.

If you are actually resigning because you are unhappy with your job, you don't need to go into detail about it. You want to maintain a good relationship with the company (and your supervisor) so you can use them as a reference. In this case, you can simply say that you are leaving for personal reasons.

Note

No matter why you’re resigning, it’s important that you write a formal resignation letter to your employer and that you give appropriate notice, whenever possible.

Sharing a Reason for Leaving—Or Not

When resigning for personal reasons, it's a good idea to talk to your boss first—in person if that's possible. You can decide whether or not you want to provide them with the details as to why you are leaving during the conversation.

After speaking to your boss, follow up with a resignation letter. You can choose how much to share about why you are leaving, but explain that you are leaving for personal reasons, and include details on when you will be moving on. If feasible, offer to help during the transition.

Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons

Here's an example of a resignation email for personal reasons. Also review more sample resignation letters, with and without reasons, for leaving your job.

Subject Line: Resignation – Michaela Cummings

Dear Mark,

I want to advise you that I will be resigning for personal reasons, effective September 24, 2021.

I very much appreciate the support and guidance you have provided me during my time with ABC company. My time working with the company has been a valuable part of my career, and I am grateful for the opportunities provided to me during my tenure here.

If there’s anything at all I can do to help with the transition, please let me know. I’ll also be available by phone and email if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Michaela
Email
Phone

More Resignation Letter Examples

Other Ways to Resign from a Job

While the best way to resign, when possible, is to tell your employer in person and then follow up with an official resignation letter, sometimes personal issues come up quickly and you're forced to resign in haste.

Depending on your situation, there are other options for the best way to resign from your job. When there are extenuating circumstances or you're working remotely, you might need to resign on the phone or send an email message notifying your employer that you're resigning.

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