Simple Letter of Resignation Examples and Writing Tips

Writing a short and simple resignation letter is one of the best ways to resign. Resignation letters don't have to be complicated or offer much information about why you’re moving on and where you're going. You don't even necessarily have to include a line thanking your employer for the experience.

There is no need to give the employer any more information than they need to know, which is the simple fact that you are resigning and when you are leaving. You’re not obligated to share the details of why you’re resigning. Keeping it simple can make good sense when you’re providing notice that you’re leaving your job. 

Review advice on what to include in a simple resignation letter, examples of printed and email resignation letters, and tips for politely and professionally resigning from a job.

What To Do Before You Resign

When it comes to quitting your job, there's a right way and a wrong way to go about it. To make sure you leave on the best terms, here’s what to do:

Write a resignation letter containing all the pertinent information—e.g., the fact that you're leaving, and when your last day will be. Have your letter ready to give to your manager when you resign. If you’re emailing your resignation, prepare it in advance.

Give two weeks' notice when possible. You can give more time if you wish, but you're typically not obligated to do this unless you are covered by company policy or an employment contract that specifies how much notice you need to provide. In those cases, you may need to give more. If you’re considered an at-will employee, you may have more flexibility regarding how much notice you need to give.

Clean out your computer. You might be asked to leave right away, so be sure everything is in order before you give notice. Any personal documents should be saved to the cloud or Google Drive or emailed to yourself, then deleted from your company computer. If you have a company phone or tablet, clear your personal information from them as well.

Summarize current projects you will not be able to complete before your departure date. This way, both your current team (if any) and your successor will be able to easily pick up where you left off. You might also draft a general list of your daily work responsibilities for your replacement to use as a guide. Have the information ready to share with your manager when you resign.

Be prepared to be positive, professional, and polite. Don't bad-mouth your boss, your co-workers, or the company, and don’t draw comparisons between them and the new employer you may be joining. 

Why Write a Resignation Letter?

Why should you write a resignation letter? A formal resignation letter documents the fact for your company’s human resources department that you're leaving. It also provides your employer with the date of your departure (two weeks' notice is standard) and other information they may need to finalize your termination from employment with the company.

A resignation also provides you with a record of your resignation. Finally, it’s a mark of your professionalism and allows you to leave your current position knowing that you’ve covered all the bases.

What To Include in Your Letter

A resignation letter allows you to share the details of your departure and helps eliminate any confusion that could result during an in-person conversation with your manager. Your letter does not need to be lengthy. The main items to include in the letter are:

• The fact that you're leaving the company
• Your last date of work

It is also both appropriate and polite to include a mention of thanks for your time at the company and an offer to assist during the transition as you exit, if you will be available.

It is important to be courteous and polite, even when you’re writing a brief resignation letter. Even if you are disenchanted with your job, resist the temptation to comment negatively on fellow employees, your manager, or the company. It's possible that the letter will be included in your employee file with the company and reviewed if you request a reference in the future.

Resignation Letter Format

Your Contact Information
First Name Last Name
Address
City, State Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address

Date

Manager Contact Information
First Name Last Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State Zip Code

Salutation

Dear [manager’s name],

First Paragraph
State that you are resigning from your position. Include the date of your last day of work.

Second Paragraph (Optional)
If you wish to, you can thank your manager for the opportunities the company has provided you.

Final Paragraph (Optional)
If you’d like to offer to help with the transition, mention it here.

Closing
Sincerely/respectfully/etc.

Signature
Handwritten signature (hard copy letter)

Typed signature

Resignation Letter Template

Download the resignation letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Microsoft Word) and review more examples below.

Simple Resignation Letter Examples

Use this resignation letter sample when you want to keep it basic and simply want to tell your employer that you are leaving, but don't want to thank your employer or provide any details regarding why you are resigning. Also see below for more examples.

Simple Resignation Letter Example With Thanks

It’s a smart strategy to say thank you for the work opportunities you have been given during your tenure, as this helps to ensure that you remain in good standing with the employer you are leaving. In this situation, use this resignation letter sample.

Resignation Letter Sample With Formal Notification

Use this letter of resignation sample to formally inform your employer that you are submitting your resignation. This letter is brief and to the point.

Email Resignation Message Example

Use this brief email message example as a starting point for writing your own message.

How To Send a Resignation Email

When sending a resignation email, use a phrase such as “Notice of Resignation – [Your Name]” in the subject line. This will ensure that your resignation receives immediate attention and review.

Be sure to include your contact information in your signature. That way, the company can easily get in touch with you if they have questions after you've left.

When To Give Your Manager the Letter

You can print the letter to give to your manager during a conversation about your resignation. Or you can email it to your manager either before or after your chat.

If you're not sure when your final day of work will be, wait until after your meeting and follow up with an email message.