Resignation Letter for Career Growth Example

Writing a resignation letter when you leave a job is not required, but it is recommended. Here's why writing one is a good policy. This letter will remain on file even after you are no longer working at the company.

It serves as a record of your last day and other relevant information. Providing those details on paper will help you avoid unnecessary miscommunications. 

Leave the Company With a Good Impression

Writing a polite, professional resignation letter helps to leave a lasting positive impression on your manager and the human resources department. That's important, since you never know which other people they'll know in your industry. And, you'll be glad you left a good impression if you need to request a reference from your manager or the company years later. 

That could mean that there isn't a path to a promotion for you, or that there aren't projects available that allow you to develop new skills. 

Whether using email, paper mail, or hand-delivering the letter, a resignation letter is important for informing your employer that you are terminating your employment, sharing when your last day will be, and more. What other information should you include in your letter? And how can you phrase it appropriately?

Find out more details, and use the sample letter (below) as inspiration while you write your own letter of resignation. 

What Information to Include

Required Information

The most important information to include in your resignation letter is the fact that you are resigning. Right after that, you should specify your last day of work. This will help both you and your manager avoid any confusion. 

Ideally, you will provide two weeks' notice, although this isn't always possible. Typically, you'll include both of these pieces of information in the first sentence or two of your resignation letter.

Optional Information

Once you have stated the fact that you are resigning and how much notice you are providing, everything else in your resignation letter is optional. But, that doesn't mean you should not include it.

To that end, consider expressing gratitude to your former employer for the opportunity. Sharing the reason you are resigning isn't necessary, but as you can see in the example below, you can include details if you like. 

It can also show some consideration to mention plans for the transition, specify your availability during the two weeks' notice period, and/or the time immediately following your departure. If you're able to help out with training or responding to questions, mention it. 

Keep it Positive

Avoid being negative, despite whatever legitimate frustrations you have with the company, your colleagues, or your direct manager. This letter is not the place to air your grievances. It will likely wind up in your employee file, and be looked at if a potential employer calls for a reference check to verify your start and end dates.

Use Business Letter Format

Because this is a professional letter, you'll want to be formal in your language. If you are printing out the letter, use appropriate business letter formatting. Even if you're sending it over email, avoid using slang or inside jokes (even if the message is being sent to someone you email with multiple times a day). 

Resignation Letter Sample for a Job With Better Opportunities

This is an example of a resignation letter you can use when your current job isn't providing growth opportunities. Download the resignation letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or review more sample resignation letters to use to leave your job gracefully.