How to Write a Resignation Email

If it’s time to move on from your current job, it can be difficult to communicate that to your current employer.

But if you leave with class and style, you can maintain your current working relationships over the long term while you form new ones in your next role.

So in this article let’s break down how to write a resignation email, with several examples and templates you can pull from.

What is a Resignation Email

A resignation email is a formal written email declaring your intention to leave your current position. It typically includes the intended date of your departure as well.

How to Write a Resignation Email (+ Examples)

It’s best to classify each resignation email into 4 key parts:

1. Subject Line
2. Greeting
3. Intro and Body
4. Conclusion and Signoff

Let’s look at examples of each section, then in a minute we’ll put it all together with some example templates:

1. Subject Line

Get right to the point in your subject line:

Example: “Notice of Resignation — (name)”

2. Greeting

The simpler the better:

Example: “Dear (name)”

3. Intro and Body

The introduction is the first portion of the body, and should directly address the nature of this email (your resignation). The body can expand on this point and soften the blow, while providing additional details or next steps:

Example: “I’m writing to inform you of my official resignation from (company). I appreciate the opportunity, but I will be accepting a new role. Please advise me of a desired leaving date so we can coordinate my departure smoothly. I wish you and everyone at (current company) well.”

4. Signoff

Your email sign-off doesn’t need to do any heavy lifting. Save that for the body:

Example: “Best regards — (name)”

What Not to Include in a Resignation Email

While it’s important to know what to include in a resignation email, it’s also key to avoid certain things, namely:

• Bad Mouthing: Avoid blaming others in your organization or speaking poorly of anyone. Even if it’s true, it makes you look much less professional.
• Ultimatums: If you are ready to resign, then say that. Avoid pitching ultimatums such as “unless you increase my pay by X I’m gone.”
• Over Explanations: You might be leaving for personal, professional, or other reasons. But ultimately, keep it brief unless pressed.

7 Resignation Email Templates

Now that we’ve covered the general sections and strategies of a resignation email, here are 7 specific templates you can adapt:

1. Resignation Email to Your Employer

If in doubt, use this resignation email. It checks all the boxes we covered above. Considerate your standard, short, sweet template.

2. Quick Resignation Email

This email is for when you’ve already relayed the news in person. No need to beat around the bush, just recap what you discussed.

3. Email Addressed to Manager

You likely have a deeper relationship with your direct manager, so you can bring some more personality in the mix. It’s not quite the same as messaging the owner of the company (unless of course you have that level of relationship with them as well).

4. Resignation Email Including Notice Period

Always give your employer advanced notice when you can. It shows professionalism and savvy. By giving a notice period, you can always stick to that time frame.

However, they may wish to keep you around longer, or even let you go sooner. Be prepared for your time frame to shift either direction.

5. Resignation Email Addressed to HR

When sending an email to HR, keep it high level and formal. Logistics are the main concern. Your HR team may have formed a relationship with you outside of work contexts.

However, keep in mind you are dealing with a company. At the end of the day, when dealing with hirings, firings, or resignations, HR needs to get down the bottom of things so they can properly perform their job.

6. Email to the Whole Staff

If you are a manager or communicate with multiple people on the team, then you might want to send a mass email informing them of your decision. After all, those professional relationships might be important later on.

Therefore, be sure to stay formal but also make some personal connections on your way out.

7. Email Giving a Notice Period

When leaving your current position to a new one, it’s common courtesy to give a notice period. You want to balance being fair to your current employer with meeting your own income and career needs.

In this example, you will let them know the date you would ideally leave. However, you leave the date open to negotiation in case they have another preference. This keeps the door open to a long term relationship showing that you aren’t just going to leave abruptly.

In Conclusion

Thinking of what to say in your resignation email can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. If you follow the examples and templates above, you can get it done in less than an hour. That way, you can get your current employer on the same page as you shift your focus toward your future.