How to write a resignation letter

Introduction

Knowing how to resign and how to write a resignation letter is an incredibly important skill for you to master.  It may seem like writing a resignation letter isn't that big of a deal-you're not coming back to this job, after all, right?  But you should remember that any potential employers in your future can call up your employer and ask to see your personal information, including your resignation letter.  Your employer will keep your resignation letter on file, so it's important that you maintain a professional and a positive note throughout the entirety of your employment at this particular location-even through your resignation.

Instructions
Difficulty level: easy

Materials needed:

• a computer
  
• a printer
  
• printer paper
  
• somebody who can review your letter

Steps

Step one: 

While you are writing your letter of resignation, it is important for you to keep your letter short, to the point, simple, and focused.  Also, make sure that your letter of resignation does not have any sort of negative tone in it.  Even if you are leaving your place of employment for less than positive reasons, you should not let that feeling come through in your letter of resignation so that when future employers call your past employers, they won't have anything bad to say about you.

Step two: 

Make sure that your letter of resignation includes information about why you are leaving your current place of employment.  Make sure that you also include an expression of appreciation to your current employer for the time that you spent working for that employer.  Don't forget to include the day when you plan to leave the company.  State clearly the fact that you are leaving, and briefly state why you are leaving.

Step three: 

Also make sure that you do not include anything negative that you might feel about the company.  Also ensure that you do not include anything negative or bad about the company, any of your co-workers, any other employees, any of your subordinates, or any supervisors in your company.

Step four: 

The following is the format that you should follow when you are writing your letter of resignation.

Your contact information
Your name, beginning with your first name and then your last name
Your street address
Your city, your state, and your zip code
Your phone number
Your email address

Date

Contact Information for your Employer
Name
Title
Organization
Street address
City, State, Zip Code

Salutation, such as Dear Ms./Mr., and then a last name

First paragraph
This first paragraph needs to simply state that you are intending to resign and make sure that you say at what date your resignation will be effective.

Middle paragraph
You don't necessarily have to have a middle paragraph.  However, if you do have a middle paragraph, this is where you should thank your employer for the time that you have had at the company while you have worked there.

Final paragraph
This final paragraph is also optional.  If you do include this final paragraph, this is the place where you offer with assistance with the transition.

Close
Your close should be something formal, such as Respectfully yours.

Signature
You should have your handwritten signature, followed by a typed signature

Tips and tricks

• Your resignation should be short and sweet and to the point.
  
• If you have any doubts about your resignation letter, you should have somebody else read your resignation letter.
  
• If you are leaving your job for negative reasons, you can simply state in your resignation letter that you would like to present reasons for leaving to your potential employers, rather than having your current employer describe the situation to anybody.
  
• Read over sample resignation letters to get ideas about how you should write your resignation letter.