How do you say you quit in an email?

You might be surprised at how difficult it can actually be to resign from your current position or even just end a relationship with someone.  We've all been there -- that person who ends up writing their resignation note over and over again because they don't know exactly what words to use.  Sometimes we need help figuring out how to put our feelings into words.  And sometimes we need advice about how to go about doing so without burning any bridges behind us.

In this article, I'm going to show you some simple tips to get you started on how to properly resign from your current position via email (or other communication channels), as well as give you some helpful hints if you are looking to move on professionally but still want to maintain good etiquette while doing so.

A few things worth noting before moving forward:

Email vs. In-Person Resignations: Email is often used today to communicate various types of messages.  It's not always easy to tell whether or not you would prefer to send a formal resignation letter through mail or simply an email.  If you have recently been laid off or otherwise feel like you need to take action right away, then mailing a letter may be preferred.  However, if you aren't sure whether you'll need to stay connected with people from your previous company after you leave, or if you think that emailing will make it easier for others to find important documents filed under your name, then using email might also work best for you.

When you choose which method works best for you, remember that both methods serve different purposes.  The way you phrase things matters!

Templates Can Help You Quit: If you're interested in making your resignation process more efficient, consider downloading templates from sites such as Quitting Resources [Broken URL Removed].  These templates usually include suggestions on how to write your own resignation letter, along with sample letters in case you decide that it isn't quite enough.  I personally recommend these resources, since they provide many great examples of effective resignation statements.  They also offer guidelines for what not to do.

How Do You Formally Say You're Quiting?: Now let's talk about how to go about saying that you plan to no longer hold onto your present occupation.  There are several ways to approach this topic.  One option is to craft a very long sentence to explain everything thoroughly.  Another option is to try keeping things short and sweet.  Here's one possible solution...

Hi [Your Name],

This morning I woke up feeling disappointed in myself for having taken advantage of my boss' kindness towards me throughout most of last year.  Although I knew that leaving was the right thing to do, I didn't appreciate being treated unfairly during the final months.  My goal has now become to find another position within the industry where I am valued for my skills rather than only compensated according to performance.  I hope you understand why I had to exit this role despite knowing full well that I deserved better treatment.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

(Obviously replace "your" and "[YOUR NAME]" above.)

How Do You Politely Quit Something?: Another common situation when quitting involves letting someone down.  For instance, maybe you were supposed to meet someone for coffee today and instead found yourself standing outside the restaurant in freezing weather waiting for them to come out.  Or perhaps you were planning to attend a holiday party this weekend and learned that you won't be able to make it due to unexpected travel plans.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your decision to quit, here's how to handle those situations gracefully...

Dear [Name],

Unfortunately, I cannot continue working for [Company Name] anymore.  While I did enjoy learning new responsibilities and building upon existing strengths, I realize now that I have grown too much to fit comfortably back into the same role.  With regrets,

[Your Signature Here]

Also add whatever else you'd like to convey in your farewell e-mail.

What Is The Professional Term For Leaving A Job?: Finally, it helps to know what terms you should expect to hear used when talking about quitting your job.  Perhaps you already worked for a certain amount of time (e.g., 2 years) or received benefits for part of that period.  If so, your employer could possibly argue that you owe wages beyond the end date of your contract (which happens to coincide with the end of your actual tenure).  To avoid misunderstandings later on, it's smart to set expectations early.  Here's how to frame what you intend to happen next...

Hi [Name],

As discussed previously, I wish to terminate my agreement with [Company Name] starting immediately.  I believe this step is necessary given recent changes within my career goals.  Please issue payment for my remaining salary until December 31st, 2013 ($___) based on the following calculations:

End Date: Dec 31, 2013

Hours Worked Per Week: 40 hours/week x 5 weeks = 200 hours total per month

Total Remaining Pay: $2,800

Salary Deduction Amount: $1,000

Net Monthly Salary After Tax: $1,780

Payment Due Upon Termination: $___

Thank you for reading this correspondence.  Again, please contact Human Resource regarding payroll issues related to my departure.

Best regards,

[Your Signature Here]

What Should I Say When Quitting A Template?: Hopefully, each of the three scenarios described above helped shed light on how to effectively resign from your current job.  But what if you're trying to leave a lot of loose ends behind?  Maybe you decided to pursue a dream opportunity elsewhere and don't want to burn any bridges behind you.  Whatever the reason, here's how to formulate a statement that covers all bases...

Hi [Name],

After careful thought, I regret to inform you that I must depart from my post beginning immediately.  Once again, thank you for providing me with opportunities to grow and learn over the past two years.  Now that my future is uncertain, however, I am taking steps to ensure that my transition to a new position goes smoothly.  Therefore, I have chosen to accept a position with [New Company Name] located near my family home.  I look forward to helping contribute to its continued growth and success.

Best wishes,

[Your Signature Here]

Do you have questions about how to properly resign from your current position?  Then check out the links below to discover additional useful articles on quitting jobs and finding new ones.  Happy job hunting!

When it comes time for me to leave my job at the company where I've worked for over 15 years, there are some things I want to make sure happen before I walk out that door behind me. I need to be able to work up enough courage to tell my boss, colleagues, client or customer exactly why I'm leaving without feeling like they're going to burst into tears as soon as they read my resignation note.  

This means having all of the right words prepared ahead of time so when I sit down with pen in hand to draft my farewell email, I can hit "send" without second guessing myself. And if your situation is more complicated than just saying "this isn't working anymore," then maybe you have questions about writing a professional resignation email too. Maybe you don't know who to address your email to, what to include, or even how to spell certain words correctly! If this sounds familiar, keep reading because today we'll show you how easily any kind of resignation email can be written using our tips and templates below.

First though, here's one particular scenario where you might find yourself needing to send a resignation email (or two):

You were laid off from your last position after several months due to downsizing. You had been doing great work for them and were proud to be part of their team but now you realize that you aren't cut out for corporate America. And you really need to move back home with mommy and daddy while looking for real opportunities elsewhere.  

The good news is that quitting is easy once you learn how to get started. Here's how to start drafting your own resignation emails:

How do you politely quit a template?

Before you begin typing away on your keyboard, take a moment and decide whether or not you should use a standard resignation letter format. If you already have experience crafting letters of resignation, then feel free to skip past these steps. However, if you're new to drafting correspondence, let's review some basic etiquette rules first...

Your goal is to create a graceful exit from your current role without coming across as rude. The way you go about accomplishing this will depend greatly on your personal style and personality type. For instance, if you tend to speak your mind freely, try keeping your tone lighthearted in your resignation email. But if you prefer to hold your tongue most of the time, stick with formal language and avoid getting emotional.

In fact, resist writing long essays that explain everything about why you're leaving. Keep things short and sweet -- no matter how much you'd like to share your side of the story. This may mean skipping important details such as salary figures or benefits info. Also, consider including only relevant facts regarding your departure since people generally respond better to concise communication rather than vague statements.

Finally, think twice about sharing private family matters in your resignation email. In general, unless someone asks directly, steer clear of discussing sensitive topics such as money issues, problems within your marriage/relationship, illnesses, etc.

With those guidelines in mind, here are three resignation email samples that demonstrate different ways to approach the task:

Sample #1 - How To Write A Professional Resignation Email Letter

For starters, let's look at a template that demonstrates proper grammar usage, courtesy, professionalism, and brevity. It also includes helpful suggestions for wrapping up the conversation nicely.

Dear [Name],

After careful consideration, I regret to inform you that I am unable to continue my employment with [Company Name] effective immediately. While I enjoyed being part of your organization, I cannot commit to the level of effort required to perform effectively in this environment. As a result, I must withdraw my candidacy for promotion to Manager 1. My decision was made after considerable thought and discussion with my husband. We believe he has found his dream job and both our families are happier now.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Sample #2 - How To Say Goodbye With Class & Confidence

Another option would be to follow a classic resignation email template that takes care of business quickly yet remains classy throughout.

Hi [Boss' Firstname],

It has come to my attention that I won’t meet the expectations set forth by [Job title]. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I’ve decided to pursue other career options outside of [Company Name]. Thank you again for considering me for this opportunity.

Regards,

[Your name]

Sample #3 - How To Quit Without Embarrassing Yourself Or Your Boss

Sometimes you simply hate your job and simply don't feel comfortable staying under anyone else's roof longer than absolutely necessary. When that happens, sometimes you have to resort to drastic measures. Luckily, there's always an alternative. Just remember, never burn bridges behind you. Always maintain relationships even if you end up moving onto greener pastures.

To be honest, I hated every minute of my job as an executive assistant. I couldn't stand dealing with irate clients, obnoxious co-workers, and difficult bosses. So I finally did something about it, and I'm glad I took action sooner instead of later. After six weeks of unemployment, I contacted my former employer and told her that I wanted to return to work at half pay until I could secure another fulltime gig. Sure enough, she gave me a fair offer and hired me back on a contract basis. Nowadays, I enjoy helping others navigate through similar situations without losing hope.

Hope this helps! Feel free to contact me personally if you ever run into anything along these lines. Take care!

Best Regards,

[YOUR NAME HERE]'s Signature Goes Here

Now it's your turn: Which of these examples best suits your needs and personality? Did they help answer your question about properly wording your goodbye? If you still have lingering concerns or questions, please reach out to us via Live Chat Support. Our experts are standing by 24 hours per day / 7 days per week. All you have to do is click the button above. Thanks!

Have additional questions about resignation emails? Check out these articles next:

6 Tips On Making An Exit From Work Stress Free

7 Steps To Writing Perfect Emails Every Time

4 Ways To Make Up An Excuse To Call Someone Back During Business Hours

5 Reasons Why Email Communication Is Better Than Phone Calls

8 Things You Should Never Do When Sending Mass Emails At Work

10 Simple Rules Of Good Manners When Corresponding Online Via Email

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You’ve just been laid off or given your notice of termination. You want out as soon as possible. But how can you effectively let the company know that you are leaving without burning any bridges behind you?

If you don't have time for all of this, we've got you covered with templates. We're going to walk through several different scenarios so you can pick and choose which one works best for you.

First up is quitting a new position. Then, if you’re looking to go back home, we'll talk about why it's important to leave things amicably when you're not getting along with coworkers. And finally, we’ll look at how to handle yourself when you're ready to move away from your current gig.

Note: If you need help finding work after being fired or laid off, check out these resources.

How do you write a respectful resignation letter?

It may be tempting to get mad and tell them exactly where they could shove their offer letter—but it’s never worth ruining your future relationships over. Instead, try writing something like this (or maybe even better):

Dear [name],

I wanted to take some time to formally notify you that I will no longer be working here starting [date]. This decision was made due to personal reasons beyond my control, but rest assured that I still hold nothing against the company. It has been an absolute pleasure serving under your leadership throughout the past year. While there were times during our relationship that I felt disrespected, I shouldered those feelings alone because I knew that you believed in me enough to give me opportunities to grow professionally and personally.

Thank you for everything, and please keep me in mind if ever you’d like someone who understands the importance of hard work and dedication to a goal.

Best regards,

[Your name]

This might seem overly polite, but remember that people make mistakes. If you think about it logically, most of us probably aren’t perfect employers either. In fact, we often overlook bad behavior from employees simply because we understand that everyone makes mistakes and accept certain levels of imperfection. So while you shouldn’t burn down anyone else’s reputation, you also shouldn’t ruin yours either.

When crafting your goodbye note, consider using “we” instead of “I” throughout the letter. For instance, “While there were times...” sounds much more pleasant than “There were moments when...” Also, avoid saying “believe in” unless you really mean it. Just stick to simple statements such as "it has been an absolute pleasure" and "I'm thankful for giving me the opportunity."

Lastly, make sure to sign off respectfully! Be aware that your signature needs to include both your first and last name. Don’t forget to add your contact info too. Make sure it includes phone number and email address.

How do I resign a template?

After you craft your farewell letter, send it via email to your boss. Here are two examples of templates you can customize to fit your situation:

Template 1: When quitting your old job, use this template. Simply replace the text with your own details.

To download this template, head over to Microsoft Word Templates Online and search “Job Resign Letter Template - Free Job Resignance Letters Sample Docs.” Clicking on the link brings up another window asking whether you'd rather open it directly in Word or save it onto your computer. Since this is intended for professional purposes, select Save As.... then browse to a folder on your computer to store it. Enter a file name and click Create. Open it whenever you need to refer to it.

Once downloaded, you can edit the document however you wish. Feel free to change font sizes, colors, fonts, etc., depending on your preferences. Remember to proofread before hitting Send though! The formatting options in Word make editing easy.

For additional help, see our article guide to creating letters in Google Drive.

Template 2: Use this template when you are switching jobs.

To access this template, visit Microsoft Office Templates Online and type “job switch resignation letter sample doc.” Hit Search. From the results page, scroll down until you find the title "Sample Switching Resignation Letter," then click Download Document. That opens a pop-up box prompting you to allow downloading of the template files. Choose Yes, followed by OK to continue. After clicking Accept, you’ll receive a PDF version of the letter.

The same day, forward copies of the documents to HR and your supervisor. Let him/her know ahead of time that you plan to follow up with a final letter once you’ve found a replacement. At least in the case of my husband, this was helpful. His employer had already started preparing his desk for his departure months earlier. However, he hadn’t yet received official word. Once he did, he sent me emails letting me know that he would be staying on for a few weeks to finish up projects he couldn’t complete before taking off. He also asked if I needed anything before returning to California. All of this helped ease my nerves since I wasn’t expecting his sudden exit.

Keep in mind that many companies require written confirmation of your resignation within 30 days of submitting the initial request. Some states also require similar notification periods. Check with your human resource department for specific rules regarding resignation paperwork.

How do you quit a formal way?

Here’s an option if you’re tired of dealing with bureaucracy and prefer to do it yourself. Email your manager with a short message explaining why you’re requesting your resignation. Tell her that you won’t be coming into work anymore and attach a copy of your signed separation agreement.

Some experts recommend following up with a second email to reiterate your reasoning and provide a deadline for responding. Finally, wait three business days before contacting your direct superior again with a thank you note. With luck, she’ll be willing to discuss your plans further. Otherwise, you’ll likely need to seek legal counsel.

How do I quit a job template email?

Even if you decide to hire a lawyer, there are situations where you may be able to resolve issues amicably. To start, ask yourself what went wrong. Was there a single incident that triggered your desire to leave? Or did problems build over time? Perhaps you weren’t treated fairly. Whatever happened, explain to your manager what led to your decision to step aside.

Don’t stress about having to come up with every excuse. Your boss knows you well enough to anticipate many common complaints. Think creatively when brainstorming solutions. Perhaps your workload increased and you didn’t realize it, or perhaps you felt pressured to stay late hours to meet deadlines. Regardless, mention as many valid points as possible.

Next, suggest potential alternatives to resolving each problem. Maybe you suggested alternative methods of communication, or offered to extend your contract for a month to accommodate unanticipated changes. Discuss all possibilities honestly and calmly while making eye contact. Take responsibility for whatever role you played in the mishap(s) and state clearly that you hope to remain friends with your former colleagues.

Also, if you haven’t heard back from your boss, check in with your supervisor next. Often, that person isn’t your direct superior, but he or she can certainly pass along your concerns to your actual manager.

Whether you’re ending a long term relationship or stepping away temporarily, respect is key. Treat others as you expect to be treated, and always follow proper protocol when communicating with superiors. No matter how you end things, you’ll feel empowered knowing that you handled matters properly.