A two-week notice letter is a variation of a resignation letter that is designed to help in situations like this. Written properly, it will cover all the bases and set you and your old employer up for a cordial future relationship. Here’s how to write a great one.
Before You Start: Have an In-Person Chat With Your Manager
Once you’re sure you’ll be leaving the company, the courteous thing to do is have a chat with your manager about it. Letting them know that you’re leaving even before they get your resignation letter will mean that your letter won’t come as a shock, and they’ll be better prepared to handle it.
It might also mean that you have a chat about why you’re leaving and possibly resolve any underlying factors. For example, are you really leaving for career reasons, or are you just burned out from work?
If you’re set on leaving though, simply follow these steps to create an effective two-week resignation letter.
Step One: Structure It Like a Business Letter
Hopefully, you already know how to write a business letter. A two-week resignation letter is just a slight variation of a regular resignation or business letter.
In writing a good resignation letter, as with all business letters, First, you’ll need to include your contact information right at the top of the letter. Depending on your preferences, you can include your contact details on letterhead.
Secondly, even though you’re probably going to hand the letter over in person, always include the name and address of the company, as well as the date you intend to hand it over.
Step Two: State That You Will Be Leaving and Mention the Date
The first paragraph of any formal letter should go straight to the point, letting the recipient know exactly why you are writing, and what to expect from your letter.
In this case, you should let them know that you intend to resign two weeks from the date of writing, or, in the alternative, mention the precise date you intend to leave.
Step Three: Explain Why (Optional) and Indicate Your Gratitude
You don’t have to explain why you’re leaving, but doing so can be a nice way of letting your employer know that there are no hard feelings on your part.
On the other hand, you may also wish to bring a certain situation to their attention. Whichever the case, the second paragraph of your letter is where you’ll explain it all if you choose to.
Along with your explanation of why you’re leaving, you may include a brief statement of gratitude for your time with the company, stating how it has had a positive impact on your career.
Step Four: Offer to Help
You may consider wrapping up your two-week resignation with an offer to help hire or train your replacement, or to assist in whatever way you can. You probably won’t have enough time to do any of this effectively, but this will be one of those times when it’s really the thought that counts.
Free 2 Weeks Notice Templates You Can Use:
Now that you know what to put in your resignation letter, let’s go over two excellent templates of two weeks’ notice letters. You can use these with any necessary adjustments.
Example Two:
Additional Tips for Writing a Great Two-Week Resignation Letter
Now that we’ve covered what to put in a cover letter and how to structure one, we’ll go over a few tips that will help you write effective ones.
Ms. Jane Doe
XYZ Software Company Ltd
1234 First Street, Cupertino, California
Dear Ms. Doe:
I write to inform you that I am resigning from my position as a senior frontend developer at XYZ Company Ltd, with effect two weeks from today.
I thank you for having trusted me with this position, and I am grateful for how my time here has shaped my career. Regrettably, the next step in my career lies elsewhere at this time.
For the remainder of my time here, I would be delighted to assist in recruiting and training my replacement, or in any other way.
Sincerely,
John Doe
Ms. Jane Doe
XYZ Software Company Ltd
1234 First Street, Cupertino, California
Dear Ms. Doe:
I write to provide two weeks’ notice of my resignation as Senior Frontend Developer. My final day with Software Company Ltd will be XX January 2025.
I am grateful for the support I have received in the time I have spent here, and for the trust that was shown in my skills, helping me grow as a frontend developer.
Please accept my assurances of the highest levels of service delivery for the remainder of my time here. If I can be of help in any particular way, please let me know.
Sincerely,
John Doe
1. Keep It Short and Concise
Your resignation letter will be stored, and kept for a very long time. It may also be used as evidence in a legal dispute. To prevent yourself from saying anything that can be used against you, keep it short and to the point as much as possible.
2. Be Positive
Burning bridges in a professional context is generally a bad idea. No matter what grievances you may have, keeping your resignation letter positive at least keeps a window of goodwill open.
3. Ensure Your Letter Goes to Both Your Manager and the HR Office
This last piece of advice is to ensure that your detachment goes as smoothly as possible. Both your manager and the HR office will have some role to play in managing your departure, so it’s best to keep them both in the loop.
Writing an Effective Two-Week Notice
A well-written two-week resignation letter can help you make the best out of a potentially awkward situation. Remember to structure your resignation letter like any other business letter. Go straight to the point in your introduction, explain your reasons for leaving—this is optional, express some gratitude, and offer to help. If in doubt, simply try one of the two templates we created above!
Before you apply the tips discussed in this article, it is worth asking yourself if quitting is really the best move. Generally, there are eight factors you might want to consider before you decide.
