Sincere and Appreciative Resignation Letters

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Resigning from a job that you have truly enjoyed, where you have grown personally and in your career, and developed relationships both personal and professional requires a special kind of resignation letter that will accurately reflect your sincere appreciation for your time with the company.

Taking the time to write a heartfelt message that shows how much you enjoyed your job will help you move forward on the best of terms.

The Best Way to Leave Your Workplace

There are many reasons you may decide that it’s the right time to move on from a position. You may have been offered an opportunity for advancement that you would not get at your current company, or perhaps you’ve been offered your dream job. Some people resign because they are making a move to another city, or because family obligations require them to be the stay-at-home member.

Note

 You should always try to leave a job on the best possible terms, regardless of the circumstances surrounding your departure, and expressing yourself sincerely will leave your manager with a positive final impression.

When the position has provided you with a lot of growth, and you have worked with people you consider to be mentors and friends, it’s especially important to express yourself clearly. You will want to be sure to leave an opening for continued communication and fully express your willingness to provide your personal support to your colleagues in the future.

However, not every position provides you with a tremendous amount of professional or personal growth and experience, regardless of how long you may have worked there. It is still important to tactfully show your appreciation for the work opportunity you were given.

What to Include in Your Letter

A professional and genuine resignation letter will help you depart a role on the right foot. 

  • Choose the appropriate format—here are guidelines for a hard copy resignation, and tips for an email resignation. Regardless of how you're sharing your resignation letter, you'll want to include the same basic information: 
  • The date your resignation is effective
  • What the company should do with your final paycheck if it's not directly deposited and you are not returning to work
  • Any questions you may have regarding compensation and benefits
  • Your contact information (phone and personal email) 

Resignation Letter Optional Elements

Those are the essentials. But there are also a few optional elements that are frequently seen in resignation letters. Including these items can increase positive feelings toward you as you depart: 

Share why you are quitting. No need to go into a ton of detail, but a brief mention can be helpful. You can say things like, "This opportunity was just too good to pass up" or "Due to my partner moving, I'll be looking for work in a new state." Share only neutral or positive reasons for your resignation.

Note

Don't use this space to complain about your current situation or say something negative about the job you're quitting. 

Say thank you. It's appropriate to express your appreciation for the opportunities you've had in the role. You can mention the skills you've learned or relationships you've gained in your time on the job.

Extend a helping hand. People often close out resignation letters by offering to help with the transition. This can help you stay on good terms with your soon-to-be-former supervisor and the company. 

Sincere and Appreciative Resignation Letter Examples

Take a look at resignation letter examples that include sincere appreciation for the opportunities provided by the company and the writer's manager. Download the resignation letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online). 

Screenshot of a sincere and appreciative resignation letter

Sincere and Appreciative Resignation Letter Example (Text Version)

Randall Jones
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
randall.jones@gmail.com

June 1, 2021

Francesca Lee
Director
Stonewall & Co.
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Ms. Lee:

I am writing to let you know that I will be resigning from my position next month. My last day at Stonewall & Co. will be June 22, 2021. Although I have very much enjoyed my time at the company, it is time for me to move on and take my career in a new direction.

Please accept my deepest gratitude for all you and our fellow colleagues have done for me during my tenure here. The assistance you've provided me with and the insight you've shared in our field are invaluable to me. I consider you a mentor on both a professional and personal level, and I have learned so much while working for you.

I will forever remember my time here.

If there is anything at all I can do to make this transition a smooth one, please do not hesitate to reach out. I would be more than happy to dedicate time to identifying an internal replacement or help you find an external candidate to replace me. Feel free to email me at randall.jones@gmail.com or call me at 555-555-5555 for anything you might need.

Once again, thank you so much for being a mentor, friend, and impeccable colleague during my time at Stonewall & Co. I do hope that we can stay in touch following my departure, and I look forward to seeing where your path takes you.

Sincerely,

Randall Jones

Email Resignation Message Example With Gratitude

Subject: Resignation - John Doe

Dear Mr. Lee,

I would like first to express my sincerest gratitude for the opportunities that I have been given at Acme Rentals. I consider you a mentor and friend as well as my manager at Acme Rentals, and I hope to continue to stay in touch as I move on to my next professional opportunity. Please accept my respectful resignation. My last day will be June 18, 2021.

During my final weeks, I would be happy to assist in the search for my replacement. If you would like my input, I have a couple of contacts that I can share with you who I believe would be an excellent fit in our department, and who are ready for an opportunity such as is available here.

Again, thank you for the guidance and friendship you have shown me during my tenure at Acme Rentals. I really appreciate how much I have learned here, and I look forward to hearing about your future successes.

Sincerely,

John Doe

How to Send a Resignation Letter

The best policy is to resign in person and follow up with your resignation letter. Sometimes, people bring a hard copy of their resignation letter to the meeting where they are giving notice. 

However, resigning in person is not always possible. If you're working remotely or cannot meet in person for other reasons, you can send a resignation email. You'll want to make sure this email is polite and professional, and contains all the relevant, important information—such as your expected last day. 

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