So you have finally found the perfect dream job and can’t wait to join. However, there is only one crucial affair that you must attend to before embarking on your exciting new journey. You must write and submit a letter of resignation to your former employer. This may be slightly awkward, but employees resign all the time for different reasons. Nobody expects you to stay put in one job forever.
Why the need for a resignation letter?
As awkward as it may be, writing a resignation letter is very important irrespective of whether you work in the corporate sector, are a sales assistant, or even a teacher. It allows your boss to be notified that you will be leaving your current job, and someone else will have to be hired to fill in your shoes. Below are a few quick tips for writing a strong resignation letter.
Be polite and humble
Even if you hated the job you are leaving and can’t wait to quit, you must go on a friendly note. When writing your resignation letter, make sure you thank your employer for the time served and highlight any critical skills or training that you feel might have benefited you. While you’re at it, don’t forget to wish your employee the best for the future.
Keep the layout simple
Resignation letters are essentially a formal piece of document. When writing yours, make sure to keep it short, simple, and to the point. After all, no employer has time to listen to stories or personal incidents. As a standard rule of thumb, two to three paragraphs should be enough to cover all the necessary details. If you still have additional information regarding handing overwork etc., it is best to discuss it in person with your boss or write a separate email for it.
Express appreciation
Another quick tip for writing a strong resignation letter is the art of showing appreciation. No job in the world is smooth sailing all the time, but they do tend to have their moments when you particularly enjoy a task or two. Try to think back to those positive experiences and thank your manager for the opportunities you have been given. Remember, being courteous is part of adopting a professional approach while writing your resignation and leaving behind a good impression.
Steer clear of the commonly made mistakes
Many employers tend to keep a record of all their personnel files, especially the resignation letters. These may be required in the future in case your new company requests a professional reference. While writing your resignation letter, keep in mind that it may affect your current or future jobs. Having said that, if you are writing a solid resignation letter, try to steer clear of the following commonly made mistakes;
- Avoid going into details of why you are leaving your current job. Don’t dwell too much on the negatives you witnessed during your current tenure or vent about your co-workers.
- Try not to brag about your new job or what you are doing next.
- Always proofread and edit your resignation letter. The last thing you need is an unedited, ambiguous resignation letter filled with grammatical mistakes.
So now that you have a firm grasp of the do’s and don’ts of writing a strong resignation letter, it’s time to turn the page and embark on a new journey that awaits you.
