Letter of Resignation
We all love writing letters to accept a new job. Unfortunately, we must also occasionally write them when we need to resign from one.
Letters of resignation need not be elaborate affairs. They need not be filled with long-winded explanations as to why we are resigning our position. The letter should instead be written in a professional, though friendly, tone. Even if we are leaving the job due to unresolved grievances, we should not use the occasion of a letter of resignation to air them. In other words, don’t burn your bridges. You may need to return to that employer someday or require some sort of service from them.
The letter of resignation should be short and to the point:
“I am writing this letter to inform you that unfortunately I will have to resign my position with your company effective June 12, 2008. Another opportunity has opened up that I feel I must accept in order to further my professional growth. I thank you for the opportunities you provided me in this position and am sure my replacement will bring their own strengths to the table that will benefit your organization. If possible, I would like to assume my new duties in two weeks but am willing to be to some extent flexible. Let me know what works best for you. Again, thank you for a rewarding association with the Jackson Company and for the opportunity to serve under your leadership.”
The above letter remains at all times friendly and does not highlight any grievances with the Jackson Company or with the immediate superior to whom the letter is written. In actuality, the letter writer could be resigning due to a dispute over salary or working conditions but chose not to air that dispute in the resignation letter. The professional tone adopted in the letter ensures that, should the letter writer ever desire to work again for the Jackson Company, chances are the opportunity would be available to them.
If you require help writing a letter of resignation, there are books filled with examples that will help you to find just the right words to write an effective letter. As with all business letters, always use a good spell and grammar checker and never hesitate to ask for help if you struggle with the English language or with the mechanics of letter writing.
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