Writing a Letter of Resignation

Writing a letter of resignation is something most people 'resign' to doing at some point of time in their lives. Before I start this article, let me first discuss the three main circumstances which would have you write a letter of resignation.

• You got a better job with a better company, with better pay.
• You're not happy with the work you are currently doing.
• You do not get along with your co-workers or boss very well.

Well, let me tell you one thing, you're not supposed to mention any of these when you write a letter of resignation. It doesn't matter if you are positively thrilled at the thought of leaving your company. It doesn't matter whether you bore a resentment against your peers, juniors or superiors. No 'so long, prat'. It doesn't matter if you think that you're too awesome for your present company. A letter of resignation is a formal letter and there is really no room for personal, informal feelings here.

Explaining a Resignation Letter

Now that we got the funny resignation letters out of the way, let's get down to business. A formal letter of resignation is simply a communication, detailing your desire to leave your present employer. Why do you give it? Because you're supposed to. I know it can be a pretty tempting proposition to abscond from your company and have them search for you. But to get a new job, you probably need a letter of recommendation from the previous employer and a good one. So no point arguing with the boss.

It's not too difficult to write a letter of resignation. So I'll break up the letter writing into its most important parts.

• Saluation: A salutation should be formal. No 'dear sir/madam'. It should reflect professionalism, as should everything else in the letter too. So always write 'Respected sir/madam'.
• Subject Overview: Sometimes, it may be a good idea to have a subject line about what the letter is all about. So you may specify that the letter deals with your desire to leave the company.
• First Paragraph: In the first paragraph you introduce yourself and your desire to leave the company, whether with immediate effect, or within the notice period specified by the company.
• Second Paragraph: In your second paragraph you write about how you have enjoyed your time in the company and what you got to learn. If you didn't enjoy your time or didn't learn much, lie. But a short line is quite mandatory.
• Ending: The ending of the letter should again be very formal. I, personally do not like the idea of 'yours truly' (too personal) or 'yours faithfully' (you're leaving! Where's the faith?). End it with 'Sincerely' or 'Thanking You' and your name on the next line.

Sample Letter of Resignation

Employee Name Employee Designation Employee Address Date of Resignation Employer Name/HR Department Employer Address Respected Sir/Madam, Subject: Letter of Resignation I (your name) hereby tender my desire to resign from the post of (your designation) in this company. My date of resignation will be (date), which is two weeks away, as per our contractual agreement. It has been a good experience working with your company and I have learned a lot in my (number of years you worked) years here. I am grateful for being given the opportunity to work here. Sincerely, (your name)

So this is how you write a letter of resignation. It is essential that you always maintain good relations with your employers. Who knows, you might end up working for their customers or suppliers the next time!