No matter what position you hold, nobody expects you to stay forever.
And when you decide to leave, you would want to do that professionally, and keep a good relationship with the employer you are leaving.
The way to do so is by making a two weeks notice letter.
It might feel a little awkward, but that is the only way to leave in style, and sometimes it is a requirement to formally resign your position.
But how do you create your two weeks notice letter just right?
We’ve got you covered, in this article, we are going to find the answers to the following questions:
- What is a two weeks notice letter?
- Why should you write a two weeks notice letter?
- How to write a two weeks notice letter?
And we are going to leave you off with some great tips and tricks, along with an example of a two weeks notice letter.
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But if you are ready to learn how to write your two weeks notice letter, stick around.
What is a two weeks notice letter?
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There are many reasons for you to want to leave your job, but there is always one thing in common – you need a notice letter.
It is often a requirement as part of the formal process of resignation, but even if it is not mandatory at your current workplace, it is a good practice to write one.
With a two weeks notice letter, you notify your employer about your upcoming departure and can inform your managers and coworkers about your current job duties, so that they can pick up where you left off.
Furthermore, it lets your employer post an opening to fill your job, or make other arrangements.
Why should you write a two weeks notice letter?
A two weeks notice is standard practice and the professional way to leave a job, and that is not without a reason.
First, it is a respectful way to inform your employer of your intentions, which gives them the chance to redistribute your workload, or open a position and find the right candidate to take your place.
Providing a two weeks notice letter helps you avoid burning any bridges, and that way you can count on leaving off on good terms and having a good recommendation from your former employer.
Furthermore, it is often important to have a written record of your decision to resign. That document can be used by your employer for understanding why employees choose to leave, or for legal records.
No matter why you have decided to leave your current job, you would want to do it in good terms. The best way to do so is to write a two weeks notice letter.
How to write a two weeks notice letter?
It goes without saying that you can’t just write anything on your two weeks notice letter, it has some standard outline that you should follow.
Luckily, it is not as complicated as you would think.
What you need to do is, just make sure you include the following sections:
- Date of the two weeks notice letter
- Your employer’s contact information
- Salutation
- A statement that you intend to leave (make sure you keep it positive)
- The position that you hold in the company
- Gratitude for your time in the company
- A highlight of your time in the company (optional)
- An offer to train your replacement
- Well wishes
- Professional closing
- Your name and signature
- Your contact information
However, make sure you don’t make it too long, you would not want your two weeks notice letter to exceed one page.
Tips for writing а two weeks notice letter
If you want to make sure that you leave off on the right note with your employer, there are a few additional things you can do.
Find a convenient time to meet with your employer
When resigning, it is best to do it in person. Alternatives that are also acceptable are via phone, or video conference.
You need to make yourself available for questions about your leaving date, and any other arrangements that need to be done.
You need to speak to your immediate supervisor and express your gratitude for hiring you, and for all your time in the company.
Make sure your manager is the first person you talk with about your resignation, as it would not help to leave off on good terms if they hear it from a colleague of yours first.
Prepare for the conversation and keep it positive
The conversation about your resignation can be difficult and often awkward.
The best you can do is prepare carefully for all its aspects, which can calm your nerves and make it a bit easier.
The first thing you need to do is figure out what is your reason for leaving, and how much of that information you would want to share with your employer.
In most cases, you would be leaving to pursue a new job opportunity.
But it is entirely up to you whether you go into detail about it, or not.
The thing your employer needs to know, and you can’t omit, is the date of your last day on the job, along with any additional information that may be needed to make the necessary arrangements.
Last but not least, you need to be prepared in case there is any kind of pushback. If you were an exceptional employee, your employer would absolutely try to keep you in the company by offering you a pay raise, or some additional benefits.
You should think ahead of time whether you would stay under any circumstances so that you would be prepared with an answer if any pushback occurs.
However, keep in mind that your stay may result in a somewhat awkward relationship with your employer.
If you can’t meet in person, send an email
If it happens that you can’t speak to your manager in person, or via phone or video conference, you have the option to send an email.
In that case, make sure you give your email a clear subject line, keep your email short and positive, and attach your two weeks notice letter.
Your email should look something like that:
Dear Mr. Doe,
Please accept this as my formal resignation from Company Ltd. My last day will be September 10, two weeks from today. I am grateful for all my time in the company, and all skills I have gained in the work process. It has been a pleasure working with you.
Please let me know if I can help in any way through this transition, and make it as smooth as possible.
Sincerely,
Jane
Example of two weeks notice letter
And now, as promised, we would like to show you an example of a two weeks notice letter to help you create your own:
June 27, 2022
Los Angeles, CA
Attention: Jane Doe
Company Ltd.
Dear Ms. Doe,
The purpose of this letter is to provide my resignation from the position of Staff Member in Company Ltd. My final day of work will be July 11, 2022.
Thank you for the opportunity to work with you over the past five years.
I have enjoyed all my time in the company, and working with my whole team. We managed to achieve great success with Project One, Project Two, and Project Three.
Please let me know if I can help in any way through this transition, and make it as smooth as possible. Of course, that includes training my successor and transitioning duties and responsibilities.
I would love to remain in touch, my contact information is below.
Sincerely,
John Doe
john.doe@email.com
555-555-5555
Takeaways
We are all done, now you know why is two weeks notice letter so important, and how to create your own.
Let’s go through a quick recap, just to make sure you do it right:
- Don’t miss out on writing a two weeks notice letter, as it would avoid burning any bridges
- Make sure you include all the necessary sections for your two weeks notice letter
- Try to present it to your supervisor in person, or via phone or video conference
- Be prepared for any additional questions, or pushback
- If you can’t contact your manager, you can send your two weeks notice letter via email
Check out our example once again, prepare your two weeks notice letter, and chase after your next job opportunity.
Make one that's truly you.