If you’ve decided to leave your job and move on to pastures new, you’ll need to write up a resignation letter to give to your current employer. A letter of resignation ensures that you leave your role on a good note, highlighting your reasons for leaving and the terms of your departure.

Wondering how to write a good resignation letter? Find out everything you need to know in this helpful guide from Adobe Express. We’ll provide you with some professional resignation letter examples to help you leave a positive impression on your old employer.

What is a professional resignation letter?

A resignation letter is a formal document used by employees to present their intent to leave a job. Letters of resignation provide an official record of notice, and they’re viewed as a form of courtesy. They mark the start of the offboarding process and can be used to communicate important details about your exit, like your intended last day.

You can also go into further detail and get a bit more personal if you’re leaving a role that you’ve found particularly rewarding, or if you’ve worked there for a long time. This can help to ensure you maintain a pleasant relationship with old colleagues, and enable you to leave amicably.

Learn more about the resignation process.

Example of a standard professional resignation letter.

Not sure where to start? Here is a written example of how to structure a standard resignation letter, and the details you might want to include.

Dear [name of manager / HR contact],

I’m writing this letter to notify you that I am formally resigning from my position as [role] at [company], effective on [date].

Thank you for all your help and support during my three years at the company. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given and for everything you’ve done to help my professional growth and development. I’m also appreciative for all the wonderful people I’ve met and worked with through the years.

Please let me know what I can do to make the transition period as seamless as possible.

Thanks again for everything and all the best.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

You can also make the most of editable template ideas from Adobe Express to help build out your own resignation letter. Explore some of the free options below.

Example of a short-notice resignation letter to an employer.

If you unexpectedly have to resign with immediate effect due to a personal emergency or other reasoning, you might need to tweak the content of your resignation letter. Not only to outline your request for an immediate resignation, but also as an opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience this might cause.

Here’s an example of what you might write:

Dear [name of manager / HR contact],

I hope this message finds you well. It’s with great regret that I’m submitting my resignation from my position as [role] at [ompany], effective on [date].

Due to unforeseen personal circumstances, I am unable to continue in my role beyond this point. Please accept my sincere apologies for the short notice and any inconvenience this may cause. I’m deeply appreciative for the time I’ve spent in my role, and I’ve valued all the support and opportunities I’ve been given.

Please let me know how I can assist in making the transition as smooth as possible for everyone. I’m committed to ensuring that I complete any outstanding tasks and provide a seamless handover of my responsibilities.

Thank you for your understanding, and all the best for the future.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

For those with a notice period, you may want to raise the issue with HR ahead of sending the formal resignation letter. That way, you can confirm that it is possible and go over any details they may require to make the resignation official.

Discover more short-notice resignation letter examples from Adobe Express:

Good example of a resignation letter if a role isn’t right.

Coming to the end of your probation period and thinking this role isn’t quite right for you? You’ll need to submit an official letter of resignation to your manager or HR team, to terminate your probation period. Here’s an example of what to say:

Dear [name of manager / HR contact],

I hope this letter finds you well. After careful consideration, I’ve made the difficult decision to resign from my position as [role] at [company], effective on [date].

While I have enjoyed working with this wonderful team for the past three months, I’ve realised that the role isn’t the right fit for me and my long-term career goals. This wasn’t an easy decision, and I’m keen to express my gratitude for your help and support during my time in the role.

Before my departure date, I’m committed to ensuring a smooth transition and am happy to assist with any handovers that need to take place. Please let me know how I can help during this period.

Thank you again for the opportunity to be part of the superb team at [company]. I have learned a great deal during my time here, and I wish you and the team continued success in the future.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Use one of the free template ideas from Adobe Express to build out your own resignation letter for a role that’s no longer suitable.

What should you include in a letter of resignation?

To create a professional letter of resignation, there are a few things you’ll need to include. For example:

• Date of the letter.
• Formal greeting – “Dear [Supervisor or Manager’s name]”.
• Intention to resign/leave.
• Reasons for leaving (if they’re not too sensitive).
• Gratitude for the opportunity.
• Expected date of departure and notice period details.
• Next steps – such as handovers and successor training.
• Sign off – e.g. “Sincerely [Your name]”.

How can Adobe Express help with the resignation process?

You can make the resignation process smooth with the help of Adobe Express. Our handy tools and templates can be useful for everyone involved – from employees to managers and colleagues.

Here’s how Adobe Express can help:

1. Make the most of free resignation letter templates.

Choose from various letter of resignation templates, to find the one that aligns with your business requirements and fits the industry you’re in. Take your pick and personalise it to suit your situation.

2. Support your official letter with a separate resignation email.

Maybe you want to give your manager a heads up that you’re going to be resigning? Or maybe you’d prefer to send a more informal note to the wider team? You can do so with a simple email. Use Adobe Express for tips and templates on how to write a resignation email.

3. Find different ways to say goodbye to your colleagues.

Once you’ve sent off your resignation letter, you can start to think about how you can say goodbye to your colleagues. Whether you want to send a heartfelt message or a comedic one, you’ll get great inspiration from these goodbye message ideas.

4. Received a resignation letter? Get tips on how to respond.

If you’re a manager and you’ve received a resignation letter from an employee, the way you respond is important. Discover how to respond to a resignation letter in a professional way with Adobe Express.

5. Send a leaving colleague well wishes with a goodbye card.

You can create a personalised card with Adobe Express to say farewell to your team member in an extra-special way. Choose a card and fill it with goodbye messages from the entire team, so they have something to remember you by.

Try Adobe Express for free now

Good to know.

How many weeks of notice do I need to give to resign?

Your notice period should be clearly outlined in your employee contract. However, you’re usually required to give at least one week's notice if you've worked at your job for more than a month. This can vary from workplace to workplace, and there may also be exceptions in case of an emergency situation.

Can an employer reject a resignation letter?

No, an employer cannot reject a resignation letter, though they may wish to negotiate on things like your notice period and final working day. If you’re resigning from your role, ensure that you include all the necessary details, such as key dates and clear intentions to resign, to avoid any miscommunication.

Do you have to give a reason for resignation?

No, you don’t have to give a reason for leaving in your letter of resignation. It will usually depend on the person you’re addressing the letter to and your professional relationship with them as to whether you want to include a reason.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5 GB of storage. See our pricing page for details and to compare plans.