How To Write A Resignation Letter

So, you’ve decided to resign from your job and now you need to craft the perfect resignation letter. This a big step, and whether you’ve got another position lined up or are embracing a different lifestyle altogether, it’s one you’ll want to get right. Taking the time to think carefully before you make decisions like this can save you a great deal of stress further down the line, and we’re on hand to support you throughout the process.

A resignation letter can tie up the loose ends, ensuring that you leave on good terms, and can also be a safety net in case you want to return to this employer if your situation changes. Here, we’ll take a look at resignation letters and how to write a really good one. Read on for our top tips and give yourself the best chance of success by taking our expertise into consideration as you write your own letter of resignation.

The Ideal Resignation Letter

Your resignation letter is the document in which you inform your employer that you intend to leave your position and confirm your leaving date. Whether you are moving to a different organisation, retiring or setting up your own business, you’ll need to write a resignation letter that is polite and formal, ensuring that you include all the necessary information. You can print out and deliver your resignation letter to your boss personally or you can send it by email, according to your preferences.

You should submit your resignation letter at least a fortnight before you intend to leave your job, and many employers ask for more notice than this in order to fill your position, so it is important to check your contract carefully. Your notice period will often depend on the amount of time you have been with this organisation, so check that the legal requirements are in line with your contract. Your resignation letter should provide all the relevant information to your boss, including your plan for handing over essential work and projects, and your thanks for the experience you have gained during your time with the organisation.

Writing Your Resignation Letter: Tops Tips

When you’re writing a resignation letter, it’s important to follow the correct format and this includes:

Addressing your letter correctly.

The first step is to establish who you should be addressing your resignation letter to. This might be your immediate boss or line manager, or it might be the leadership team or HR department in your organisation. You can ask your manager about this or check your contract for the correct information. When you have found out who you need to address your resignation letter to, you should adjust the tone of your letter accordingly. For instance, if you are simply required to email your HR team, a formal, brief letter will be sufficient. If you are writing to a manager, you have worked closely with, however, you will want to include a more personal touch, and you may wish to reflect on your experiences.
Including relevant details.

Clarity is vital and you should immediately lay out your intentions, explaining that you are resigning and confirming the date on which you intend to leave the organisation. Concentrate on the facts here and provide your employees with all the information they need to know about your plans and how this will affect their business. For instance, if they need to advertise for a new hire to replace you, the amount of notice you are able to give could make a big difference to them. You can specify here whether you are willing to take part in the training of members of staff who will take on your roles and if you are planning to create a handover file, you can mention this, too.
Expressing your thanks.

Assuming you are leaving on good terms, it is a good idea to thank your manager, colleagues and the organisation itself for the opportunities this role has provided you with. This expression of gratitude will help to smooth the path of leaving the organisation and will also ensure that you are remembered positively, which can be very important if your circumstances change in the future, and you wish to approach this organisation again. If you are leaving in difficult circumstances, it is still a good idea to include a line of thanks, expressing your gratitude for the opportunity to undertake this job and wishing the organisation and your team the best for the future.
Reflecting on your experience.

This is a personal preference, and you do not need to elaborate in your resignation letter if you do not want to, particularly if you are sending it to a generic email address rather than a personal contact. However, it can be a good opportunity for closure, especially if you have worked in the organisation for a long time or if you have built good relationships. This is a chance to reflect on some of your experiences or good memories from your time in this organisation, and you can be specific about what you have learned and how the job has been important to you. Focusing on what you have gained during your time in this role can help you to feel positive about your experiences there and provide closure as you move in a new direction.
Taking your time.

Unless you are leaving in extenuating circumstances, you will have plenty of time to think about the way you leave your role and the most harmonious way to do this. It’s a good idea to avoid making decisions in haste, so give yourself time to write your letter and then set it aside for at least a day to give yourself a chance to reread it before you send it. You can also ask a trusted friend or relative for feedback to ensure that you have got the tone right. After you have sent your letter, you can begin letting your colleagues know that you are leaving the organisation, explaining your reasons for doing so if you wish and maintaining a professional outlook during this period.

Of course, your resignation letter should be well written and professional, and as concise as possible. You should ensure that your spelling and grammar are impeccable and leave your organisation with a positive image of you and your contribution to the role for future reference.

Expert Recruitment Agency In Ireland

Working with a recruitment agency can help you in the process of finding a new job and at CareerWise, our expert team will be happy to support you throughout the process. We have many years of experience in helping clients to find new roles – and this includes leaving their former roles in the best possible circumstances.

Our expert team is Limerick, Cork, Galway, Dublin and Mayo, and we know our industries inside out so you will get the very best of our expertise. We specialise in the Engineering, Supply Chain, Science/Pharma, IT and Accounting industries in Ireland, and you can get in touch with our friendly, professional recruitment team by contacting us online now or giving us a call on +353 (0) 21 206 1900 to arrange a consultation.

Louise Mulligan

(Senior Recruitment Consultant) BBS CIPD – Mayo Office

Louise has a Marketing Degree from Limerick Institute of Technology. She has also completed a Certificate in Personnel Practice from the National College of Ireland. She is also CIPD accredited. She has 16 years Recruitment experience with Collins McNicholas (Dublin, Galway & Athlone), HRM (Dublin), Lionbridge (Mayo) and Team Horizon (Mayo & Dublin).

She has also worked in Quality Assurance in Allergan (Mayo) & with Ballina Beverages (Mayo).

She has successful recruitment experience involving key roles within Human Resources, Engineering, Quality Assurance and Planning for large multinational companies. She was involved in recruiting all levels including Senior Management for the Medical Devices, Electronic, Pharmaceutical & Manufacturing Industries both on the contracting and permanent side of the business. She has developed a Strong Network of Engineers built up over the last 16 years as she worked in the Mayo, Sligo, Dublin, Athlone and Galway Markets.

Louise has joined CareerWise in March 2017 with the responsibility of growing the business out of the new Mayo office with a primary focus on the West & North-West regions.

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