How To Resign From Your Job (Plus Resignation Letter Example)

Bidding goodbye to your job is not simply chucking your things out the door and leaving. This is what most films portray though, and sometimes it is inaccurate. 

In an emotional fit, the main lead – sick and tired of the daily grind or a bad boss – runs up to their superior and says, “I quit.” The scene also unfolds mid-conflict. Two sparring people run their mouths and in an unexpected ceasefire, one raises the white flag.

Whatever reason you have for leaving, put it in writing. Read on for our tips then use our resignation letter example. 

Why do I have to submit a resignation letter?

The most important reason behind handing it over is to formally document your two weeks notice. While your superior may be aware that you wish to terminate your services with them, you need to document that ending with them. This etiquette goes way back, and it is something you need before you get up and leave. 

But if you are quitting on the spot, do you still require a letter? More importantly, are you even allowed to leave without notice? 

Can you resign on the spot?

We can begin this section with how NOT to professionally resign. On-the-spot resignation usually takes the cake. Not only is it against certain etiquette, but it also breaches your employment contract.

How does it do that? Your employment contract usually contains a clause that states you have to declare a 30-day notice. This means that you have to serve 30 extra days from your date of termination or resignation. 

But can you go through with a spontaneous termination of services? The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) says yes. What is the underlying reason for that? It must be with a just cause. Article 285 states that should such causes be valid, the employee need not submit a resignation notice. 

Examples of just cause include:

• Serious insult of honor to the employee
• Inhumane and unbearable treatment by employer
• Crime towards the employee and their family members

Be sure to differentiate resignation without notice and AWOL. The former has a concrete and convicting reason, while the latter is truancy and could end in immediate termination. 

How do I write a good resignation letter?

Something to note about resignation letters is that it does not have to be lengthy. As long as you have the essential parts that make it up, you are good to go. 

Another thing to remember as well is that such documents should be devoid of emotions. While this could depend on how close you are to your superior and to the company, always use neutral language.

But even if your letter is more formal than feeling, it should be professional. Refrain from sharing your gripes or bad mouthing the company you work for. If you had a less than great experience, share it in the exit interview. It is a document of formal notice, not a soundboard for your rants. 

So what should comprise this notice? In this section, we break down what you should have there:

1. Your superior’s name and date of resignation

In essence, you are writing a letter. Depending on the perspective of your superior, it could be a good write-up or a bad one. When addressing the letter, it is good to put the name of your boss and their position. 

On top of that, date the letter with the day you are resigning. This is so that the company has a record that you have tendered your notice with the right number of days in between. 

November 23, 2020

Mr James PerezDirector of Business Trade and Development

XYZ Company

2. Your declaration

Make this as succinct as possible. This part should also have your position and your last day of work. Count thirty days (or depending on the agreed timeframe) from the period you declared it and put it there. 

Dear Mr Perez,

I am writing to inform you that I am tendering my resignation from my position as Business Trade Executive effective 18 December 2020. 

3. Include a paragraph of gratitude

The most important part of resigning is to keep your bridges intact as much as possible. It is in your best interest to maintain good connections. Who knows? You may end up working for the company you left years ago. 

I would like to thank you for the opportunity that you gave me when I first came in. It has been a pleasure working with you and your good company. Being part of such a team allowed me to grow and hone my abilities, and because of that, I am very grateful. 

4. Point people and transition guidelines

While your employer awaits your replacement, you can speak with a trusted colleague or your teammate to help you bridge the gap. In the meantime, they can be the ones to handle your duties should one filling your place has not yet come. 

State the person’s name and position clearly so that your boss will not have a hard time finding out who they are. If there is no one, you can say that you can offer to help them transition during your notice period. 

During this period of transition, Jane Nacional will be handling my duties in the meantime. 

OR

You have my full commitment to assist during this period of transition as you look for a replacement for my role. 

5. End with a wish for success

A good goodbye may be hard to come by, but positively ending your letter softens the blow a bit. On top of that, you get to continue the tone of gratitude to the company you once served. 

I wish you and your company continued success. Thank you once again for the opportunity and hope we cross paths again in the future. 

Sincerely,

Katherine Dantes

Business Trade Executive 

XYZ Company

What is your next move post-resignation?

Unless you have a job offer waiting for you on the other side, take this as an opportunity to rest. It is normal to feel anxiety or post-work stress, and this may drive you to go search for the next big thing on a whim. Go easy on yourself and take time to job hunt more efficiently.

Mark the day you left as a chance to become introspective. Take your time to reassess your next move and next career path. Whether it be brushing up on your interview skills with our Interview Practice Tool, updating your resume, or upskilling, do it. 

Make your transition a smooth one as you set sail to conquer the working world once again. As your talent partner, we wish you all the best of luck in your upcoming venture. 

Are you ready? Then #LetsGetToWork! Update your profile then search jobs on our website or download the JobStreet app on the App Store or Google Play. 

The more you search, the more JobStreet understands your needs, so you can find the perfect match to fulfill you professionally and personally.

Visit Career Advice for more expert advice on developing a rewarding career.