Career Planning Leaving a Job Resignation Letter Example With Advance Notice By Alison Doyle Alison Doyle Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts. learn about our editorial policies Updated on June 17, 2021 In This Article View All In This Article Tips for Resigning With Advance Notice What to Include in the Letter What Not to Include in Your Letter Resignation Letter With Advance Notice Example Sending an Email Resignation Letter Photo: Pheelings Media / Getty Images When resigning from a job it is important to give your employer advance notice, if possible. Two weeks is the accepted standard, but your company may recommend more or less. Check your employee handbook or with the company's human resources department to make sure you are in compliance with company policy. Also check your employment contract, if you have one, for details on how much notice you are expected to provide. While you should discuss your plans with your supervisor in person, when possible, it's also a good idea to send a resignation letter with the details when you decide to leave your job. Note Sometimes circumstances don’t allow you to speak with your boss personally to tender your resignation. In that case, you may need to resign via email, but you should still strive to give enough advance notice to make sure that a replacement can be hired and that your workload is covered. Tips for Resigning With Advance Notice Speak With Your Employer First: If at all possible, tell your boss in person that you will be leaving the company. Then follow up with an official resignation letter. Send a copy of the letter or email to your employer and to human resources. Give Two Weeks' Notice: If possible, give your employer the standard two weeks' notice when you are going to quit. More than two weeks can be better, depending on the circumstances. If two weeks is not possible, give as much notice as you can. This will help you maintain a good relationship with your former employer. Note If you have an employment contract, check to be sure that you're in compliance with the terms of the agreement before you resign. What to Include in the Letter State the Date: In the letter, include the date you plan to leave the company. This will give your employer a clear sense of your timeline, and allow for the hiring of your replacement. Keep It Simple: You do not need to give details on why you are leaving, or what you will be doing next. You should keep your letter brief. Express Gratitude: This is a good opportunity to express your gratitude for the time you have worked at the company. Offer Assistance: Since you are giving the employer advance notice, you might offer to help the company with the transition in the coming weeks. Ask Any Questions: This is also an opportunity to ask any questions about compensation or benefits, such as where or when you will receive your last paycheck. Provide Contact Information: Include a non-company email address or another form of contact information, so that your employer can get in touch with you. This is especially important if you are leaving right away. Follow Business Letter Format: Use standard business letter format when writing your letter. If time is of the essence, you might consider sending your letter via email. What Not to Include in Your Letter Don't be Negative: Even if you are very unhappy with the circumstances surrounding your resignation, don't complain or say anything negative in your letter. You want to maintain a good relationship with the employer, especially since you might have to ask him or her for a letter of reference in the future. Resignation Letter With Advance Notice Example This employee resignation letter example provides advance notice to the company that you are resigning from. Employee Resignation Letter With Advance Notice Joe SmytheAddressCity, State Zip CodePhone NumberEmailDateFrank ShortDirectorGoldco, Inc.AddressCity, State Zip CodeDear Frank,I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign from Goldco, Inc., effective March 1. I have greatly enjoyed working for you for the past five years. I have learned a lot, and grown professionally during my time in your employ. I very much appreciate the opportunity to have worked with such a great group of people.Please feel free to contact me with any questions about the projects I have been working on. In the coming weeks before March 1, I am happy to help in any way with the transition process.Thank you for your understanding of my decision to leave the company, and all your support over the years. I wish you all the best for your continued success.Respectfully,Signature (hard copy letter)Joe Smythe Sending an Email Resignation Letter If you opt to send it as an email message, the subject line should read: Subject: Joe Smythe Resignation In an email, you would leave the contact information and the date off of the heading, and include your personal contact information in the signature. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. SHRM. "Can Employers Require Workers to Give Notice Before They Quit?" Accessed June 3, 2021.