How to Give Two Weeks Notice (+ Templates and Examples)

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Table of contents

Why You Should Give Two Weeks Notice
How to Write a Two Week Notice Letter
Two Weeks Notice Template
Resignation Letter Examples
Key Takeaways

No job is forever. Whether you’ve found a new opportunity or your life has taken you in a new direction, quitting a job is just part of having a career. But quitting requires notice. You must inform your employer of your departure so that they can make arrangements and begin the transition process.

This might seem like an awkward conversation, but don’t worry. Turning in your resignation can be simple and professional. In this article we’ll look at what a letter of resignation is and how to write a two weeks notice. Here are some of the topics we’ll be diving into:

Why you should give your two weeks notice.
How to write a two week notice letter.
Helpful two weeks notice templates.
Resignation letter examples.

Related Guides & Tips

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Why You Should Give Two Weeks Notice

It may be tempting to take off as soon as you’ve decided to quit. But, before you delete your boss’s number from your contacts, pause and think for a moment. When you quit, your responsibilities need to be delegated to someone else. Your organization might need to hire someone new to replace you. Giving proper notice gives your employer the time to make arrangements.

This is critical. All the work that you’ve done for your organization should be an important part of your professional history. You’ll want to be able to discuss your role on your resume. You’ll want to use your current employer, and maybe even some of your co-workers, as a professional reference. Walking out without notice makes this difficult.

Another reason to write a resignation letter is that you may be working in the same industry, or you may return to it at some point. You don’t want to mar your professional reputation by leaving your job on such an unprofessional note.

Leaving a position without sending in your two weeks notice is unprofessional and should be avoided. A well-written two weeks notice letter helps you leave without burning bridges.

How to Write a Two Week Notice Letter

In the following sections, we’ll take a look at how to write your letter of resignation so that you close this chapter on a good note and maintain positive professional relationships with your former employers. We’ll look at what makes up a two weeks notice letter and provide a two weeks notice template with some examples.

Once your two weeks notice letter is complete, you can send it to your employer via email or hand it to them. Just make sure that your employer receives it so they aren’t blindsided when you leave!

STEP 1

Address the Letter

Odds are you already have a pretty good idea of who your letter of resignation should go to. As a rule, you should send your two weeks notice to your direct supervisor’s email or their office. Make sure the contact information that you send your letter to is accurate and up to date.

Pro Tip

You can use a premade cover letter template to write your two weeks notice! A letter is a letter. Just make sure to replace the cover letter content with your resignation.

STEP 2

State Clearly That You Are Resigning

Telling your supervisor that you’re quitting can feel awkward, but avoiding the issue won’t make it better. Get to the point. State clearly that you’re resigning and include the date of the last day you’ll be available to work. This is usually two weeks from the date of your letter.

Keep it simple and professional. Here’s an example resignation:

“I am writing to inform you that I will be resigning my position as department manager. My last available work day will be June 31st, 2024.”

STEP 3

Express Your Gratitude

No matter the reason for your resignation, a bit of gratitude goes a long way toward maintaining a professional relationship. Thank your employer for the opportunity. If there are specific things that you are grateful for, include them here.

Be respectful and earnest. Here’s an example:

“The experience I have gained as department manager has been indispensable to my personal and career development. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such a supportive and innovative team.”

STEP 4

Mention Your Circumstances

There are many reasons why you may choose to resign. While there are certainly some reasons that you should keep to yourself, a brief explanation of your choice to leave can be good to include on your two weeks notice letter. Explain your next steps, be they travel, caring for your family or a new position.

Be sincere and concise:

“Resigning my position as department manager has not been an easy decision, but a recent health emergency in the family requires me to be present for my loved ones. I am resigning so that I can take over the full-time responsibility of caring for my father.”

Pro Tip

Explaining your circumstances is a good move, but don’t get too personal and try to keep your major grievances to yourself. Burning bridges won’t do you any good, so you shouldn’t say something like “I’m quitting because I think the accounting department is full of jerks!” This might feel good to get off your chest, but it won’t help you in the long run.

STEP 5

Write a Conclusion

Your conclusion should be polite and reiterate your gratitude for the opportunity. This is also the place to include an offer to ease the transition by training your replacement or documenting your work processes.

Express your gratitude:

“As I enter this new chapter, I am once again grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this team. I am dedicated to helping ease this transition until my final day of availability. I will begin the process of documenting my ongoing projects so that whoever steps in can smoothly take over my role.

Kind regards,

Penelope Owens”

Pro Tip

As you finish your letter, think of questions a future interviewer might ask if they called this role for a reference. Would this employer be likely to report that you were a responsible employee and a team player? The way you handle your exit can have a big impact on future roles.

Two Weeks Notice Template

Below is a simple two weeks notice resignation letter template that you can follow to construct a basic professional resignation letter.

Subject: Notice of Resignation

Dear [Supervisor’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to formally submit my resignation from my position as [Your Job Title] at [Company Name], effective two weeks from today, on [Last Working Day Date].

I want to express my gratitude for the opportunities and experiences I have had during my time at [Company Name]. I have learned a lot and have thoroughly enjoyed working with some truly amazing colleagues. This decision has not been easy, but [Explanation of Circumstances].

Please let me know how I can ensure a smooth transition during my remaining time here. I wish the company continued success, and am grateful for the professional relationships and memories cultivated during my time here.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Resignation Letter Examples

Next, let’s take a look at some two weeks notice resignation letter samples.

Formal Resignation Letter – Two Weeks Notice Example

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Informal Resignation Letter – Two Weeks Notice Example

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Resignation Letter for a New Job Opportunity – Two Weeks Notice Example

Subject: Notice of Resignation

Dear Olivia,

I am writing to formally submit my resignation from my role as a systems administrator at Walter Technology Solutions, effective September 12th, 2024.

I want to express my sincere gratitude for the support, guidance and opportunities you have provided me during my time at Walter Technology Solutions. I will treasure the experience I have gained from this incredible team and the professional relationships I have forged.

This decision was not made lightly, but after careful consideration, I have decided to pursue a new opportunity that aligns with my long-term career goals. Please let me know how I can assist in the transition process, whether it be training my replacement or completing any outstanding projects. I am committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for both the team and the company.

Once again, thank you for my time as systems administrator. This has been a fulfilling position and a valuable opportunity. I wish you and the entire team continued success, and I look forward to staying in touch.

Sincerely,

Hugh Raleigh

Resignation Letter for a Transfer Within the Company – Two Weeks Notice Example

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Resignation Letter Due to Family Reasons – Two Weeks Notice Example

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Key Takeaways

Be professional:

Most people have had one or two jobs that they couldn’t wait to put behind them. Even if you’re jumping for joy at the chance to watch your workplace shrink in your rearview mirror, it is crucial that you maintain professionalism.

You might need this role to appear on your resume one day, you might want to use your employer as a professional reference and you might want to preserve your professional reputation for future career opportunities. In any case, professionalism is always a good call.
Be direct:

There’s no sense in dancing around the issue. You are quitting and your employer needs an honest overview of the important details. State your intent to resign within the first sentence of your letter. Be sure to include your last available work day (typically dated two weeks from the date of the letter).
Express your gratitude:

Hopefully, you feel like your role has been a useful opportunity which has allowed you to grow professionally and develop fulfilling relationships. Even if this isn’t the case, you should thank your employer for the opportunity. No need to be poetic about all your favorite things about the job — a simple thank you will suffice.
Keep explanations short and sweet:

If there’s a specific reason that you’re moving on, it can be helpful to include it. So long as your reason isn’t just that you’ve had enough of your job, include a short explanation. But, avoid overly personal details. Your explanation should be brief and work-appropriate.

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.