Resignation Letter: 8 Free Examples & Templates
Copy a professional resignation letter in under five minutes — two weeks’ notice, short, email, heartfelt thank-you and immediate versions, plus the exact format to follow.
A resignation letter has one job: to put your notice in writing, clearly and politely, so there is no confusion about your last day. It is not the place to explain every reason you are leaving — it is the place to leave on good terms.
Tell your manager in person or on a call first, then send the letter the same day. Most US employers expect two weeks’ notice; check your contract or handbook in case yours asks for more.
Below are eight complete resignation letters you can copy and edit, a simple format to follow, and the mistakes that make an otherwise professional exit awkward.
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8 resignation letter examples
Copy one, replace the bracketed parts, and send. Each one is complete and professional as written.
Two weeks’ notice resignation letter
- Dear [Manager’s name], Please accept this letter as my formal two weeks’ notice of resignation from my position as [job title]. My last day of work will be [date]. Thank you for the support and opportunities you have given me during my time at [company]. I will do everything I can to wrap up my projects and help with a smooth handover. Sincerely, [Your name]
Short resignation letter
- Dear [Manager’s name], I am resigning from my position as [job title], effective [date]. Thank you for the opportunity to work here. Please let me know how I can help during the transition. Best regards, [Your name]
Resignation email
- Subject: Resignation – [Your name]. Hi [Manager’s name], As we discussed today, I am writing to formally resign from my role as [job title]. My last day will be [date], two weeks from today. I am grateful for everything I have learned on this team, especially [one specific thing]. I am happy to document my work and help train whoever takes over. Thank you again, [Your name]
Heartfelt resignation letter (thank you)
- Dear [Manager’s name], It is with mixed feelings that I submit my resignation as [job title], with my last day on [date]. Working for you has been the highlight of my career so far. You trusted me with [project] before I was sure I could do it, and that changed how I see my own work. I will miss this team more than I can say. I will make sure everything is handed over properly, and I hope we stay in touch. With gratitude, [Your name]
Resignation letter for a new job
- Dear [Manager’s name], I am writing to let you know that I have accepted a new position and will be resigning from my role as [job title]. My last day will be [date]. This was not an easy decision — I have valued my time at [company] and the chance to grow here. Over the next two weeks I will finish [current task] and prepare handover notes for the team. Thank you for everything. Sincerely, [Your name]
Immediate resignation letter
- Dear [Manager’s name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from [job title], effective immediately. I apologize for the short notice; due to [personal / health / family] circumstances I am unable to continue in my role. Thank you for your understanding and for the opportunities I have had at [company]. I am happy to answer any questions by email to help with the handover. Sincerely, [Your name]
Resignation letter for a part-time or retail job
- Dear [Manager’s name], I am writing to give my two weeks’ notice. My last shift will be on [date]. I have enjoyed working at [store] and I am grateful for the flexible schedule while I [studied / cared for family]. Thank you for being such a supportive manager. Best, [Your name]
Teacher resignation letter
- Dear [Principal’s name], Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as [grade/subject] teacher at [school], effective at the end of the [school year / semester] on [date]. Teaching here has been a privilege, and I am especially grateful for my colleagues and my students. I will make sure lesson plans and records are ready for my successor. Sincerely, [Your name]
Short lines for a resignation note
- Please accept this as my formal notice of resignation.
- My last day will be [date], two weeks from today.
- Thank you for the opportunities I have had here.
- I am happy to help train my replacement.
- I hope we can stay in touch — my personal email is [email].
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Resignation letter format
Keep it to one page — three or four short paragraphs. Use this order:
- 1
1. Date and addressee
Today’s date, then “Dear [Manager’s name],”. For an email, put “Resignation – [Your Name]” in the subject line.
- 2
2. Statement of resignation
One sentence: you are resigning from [job title], and your last day is [date].
- 3
3. Thank-you
One or two sentences of genuine thanks — a skill you learned, a project, a person.
- 4
4. Handover offer
Offer to document your work, finish a project or train your replacement.
- 5
5. Sign-off
“Sincerely,” or “Best regards,” then your full name. Add a personal email or phone number if you want to stay in touch.
Send it to your direct manager and copy HR. Keep a copy for yourself.
What to say in a resignation letter
- 1A clear statement that you are resigning, and from which position.
- 2Your exact last working day (usually two weeks from the date of the letter).
- 3A short, sincere thank-you for the opportunity — one or two sentences.
- 4An offer to help with the handover: documenting your work or training a replacement.
- 5Your personal contact details, if you want to stay in touch.
One thing to skip: Do not use the letter to criticize your manager, coworkers or the company. It goes into your HR file and may be read by future reference checkers — save honest feedback for an exit interview.
The difference one specific line makes
Same sentiment, two ways of saying it in a resignation letter.
Most people write
“I quit. My last day is Friday.”
Write this instead
“Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation as Marketing Coordinator, effective Friday, November 21. Thank you for the past three years — I have learned more here than anywhere else. I am happy to help train my replacement before I go.”
Why it works: It states the role and the date, thanks them in one line and offers help — everything HR needs, nothing they could hold against you.
Three ways to open a resignation letter
The first line is the hard part. Steal one of these and fill in the brackets.
“Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as [job title].”
“I am writing to let you know that I will be resigning from my role as [job title], effective [date].”
“After a lot of thought, I have decided to resign from my position at [company].”
Resignation letter templates
Start from one of these and make it yours — they open straight into the editor.
Bittersweet Goodbye
“Goodbyes are never easy, especially when they involve someone as wonderful as you...”
Use this template →Printable resignation letter template
Two ways to print it. Fill in the blanks and the page itself becomes the letter, or take the prompt sheet and write your own version by hand.
Print it, fill the blanks in pen, and give it as it is — no copying out.
Free PDF, A4 — no email address, no account, no watermark.
💼 Resignation Letter
Write in the blanks. The small words under each line tell you what to reach for — cross out any line that does not fit.
Your name
Date
Dear Manager’s name,
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from my position as job title at company. My last day will be date.
Thank you for the opportunity to something you are grateful for. I have especially valued one specific thing.
I will do everything I can to make the transition smooth, including handover offer.
Sincerely, your name
shareloveletters.com — free letter templates. Write it online and they open a sealed envelope with their name on it.
Need a different one? Browse all free printable letter templates.
How it arrives
Write it
Edit a template, pick a theme, add photos or a song.
Share a private link
Password-protect it, or set the date it unlocks.
They open an envelope
Sealed, with their name on it, opening into your resignation letter.
Questions people ask
How do I write a simple resignation letter?
State that you are resigning, name your job title, give your last working day, thank your employer in one sentence and sign it. Three or four sentences are enough — see the short resignation letter example above.
Do I have to give two weeks’ notice?
In most US states employment is “at will”, so it is not legally required unless your contract says otherwise — but two weeks is the professional standard and protects your reference.
Should I say why I am leaving in a resignation letter?
You do not have to. A brief, positive reason (“to pursue a new opportunity”) is fine; complaints belong in an exit interview, if anywhere.
Can I resign by email?
Yes, it is common and acceptable. Tell your manager in person or by phone first, then send the email the same day with “Resignation – [Your Name]” as the subject.
What should I write in a goodbye message to coworkers?
Thank them, share one good memory, and leave your personal contact details. Our farewell messages for coworkers have examples you can copy.
Other occasions
Need words to borrow? Browse our 700+ quote library or read our letter-writing guides.
Ready to write your resignation letter?
Need to say a proper goodbye to your team too? Write a farewell letter and send it as a sealed envelope on your last day.
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