Name ____________________________________ Date _________________________________ Period ___
Resigning From a Job
Directions: For this assignment, you will be writing a resignation letter to the company that you were hired to
work at during the mock business project in the previous weeks. If you were not hired, write a resignation letter
to a real company that you would like to work for someday. Go online to find the correct address. Use the
template on page 2 to help you with formatting and ideas for what to include in your letter.
Your typed resignation letter is due on _________________________. This document will be placed in your
portfolio for future reference.
If you're quitting your job, don't walk out the door without submitting a formal letter of resignation to your
employer. Giving an employer a minimum of two weeks notice of your resignation is expected. This allows the
employer to find a suitable replacement for the position you are vacating. Many employers require it as part of
the exit process as proof that you are voluntarily terminating your employment. Even if your boss or Human
Resources Manager doesn't ask for one, it's still good practice to submit one anyway. Your letter can help you
maintain a positive relationship with your old employer, which is important because you may need that
employer as a reference in the future.
Your resignation letter will be kept in your permanent employment file. It could be shared with potential future
employers, so keep its contents professional and polite.
"86% of human resources managers said the way employees quit a job at least somewhat affects their future
career opportunities," added Mike Assaad, metro market manager of Robert Half Finance &
Accounting staffing firm, citing a Robert Half survey. "You don't want to burn any bridges on your way out the
door."
Why you're leaving. Although it might make sense to explain a relocation or a decision to leave the workforce,
our sources agreed that it is absolutely not necessary to tell your current employer why you are resigning. If you
wish to say you're leaving to accept a new position elsewhere, you can, but in general, telling your old boss
exactly where you're headed is irrelevant and ill-advised, Salemi said. This is especially true if you are leaving
for a competitor: Spiteful employers may contact your new workplace and speak poorly of you.
What you hated about the job. If you're leaving your job for another opportunity, it's likely that your
relationship with your boss, co-workers or management had something to do with your decision. No matter how
bitter you are, resist the urge to vent in your resignation letter, Salemi said. "If you worked for a horrible boss
and you're looking forward to moving on, there's no need to mention it," she said. "If you were underpaid and
your new job is giving you what you're worth, congratulations. But leave that point out of your resignation
letter, too."
Emotional statements. Assaad stressed the importance of keeping a calm, professional tone in your letter. An
aggressive or otherwise emotional letter will only come back to hurt you, he said. "You may be resentful [and]
overworked, but don't quit angry," Twersky added. Similarly, Salemi recommended avoiding emotionally
charged personal sentences that include "I think" or "I feel," unless they are expressing a positive sentiment of
gratitude.
Formatting Your Letter. Business letters are typed and single spaced. Use the template on page 2 to help you
write your resignation letter.
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