A two-week notice is the standard practice of formally telling your employer you will be leaving your job. This notice period, typically 10 business days, is a courtesy that allows your manager time to plan for your departure and begin finding a replacement. While not always a legal requirement, providing this notice is important for leaving on good terms, which helps preserve your professional reputation and network.
Prepare Before You Resign
Before you announce your intention to leave, take several preparatory steps. Review your employee handbook or any signed contracts to understand the company’s specific policies on resignation. Securing your next opportunity is another important step; have a signed offer letter from your new employer before you resign from your current one.
Manage your digital footprint at the company by saving any personal files from your work computer and gathering contact information for colleagues you wish to stay in touch with. Be discreet and use personal devices for your job search activities. Your manager should be the first person to know about your departure, so avoid telling coworkers until after you have had that conversation. Being prepared to leave on the day you give notice can prevent being caught off guard if the company asks you to depart immediately.
How to Tell Your Manager
It is best to schedule a private, face-to-face meeting to inform your manager of your resignation. If you work remotely, a video call is the next best option, as resigning via email or an instant message can be seen as disrespectful. When you schedule the meeting, you can simply ask if they have a few minutes for a private chat, without needing to reveal the topic in advance.
When you begin the conversation, be direct to avoid confusion. For example, you could say, “I’m writing to inform you that I’ve accepted another position and my last day will be [Date].” Maintain a positive and appreciative tone, expressing gratitude for the opportunities you’ve been given.
There is no need to go into extensive detail about your reasons for leaving or your new role unless you are comfortable doing so. If your manager asks for feedback, keep it constructive and avoid venting about any frustrations. The objective is to keep the conversation professional and focused on a smooth transition.
Write a Formal Resignation Letter
Following your conversation, you should provide a formal resignation letter. This document serves as an official record for human resources that confirms your verbal resignation and solidifies the details of your departure. The letter should be straightforward and professional, omitting emotional language or complaints.
Your letter should include four main components:
- A statement of resignation. Your letter should begin with a direct statement of your intent to resign, such as, “Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from my position as [Job Title].”
- Your last day of employment. Include the specific date of your last day, which provides an official timeline for your departure and helps HR manage the transition process.
- A brief expression of gratitude. It is a professional courtesy to include a line expressing thanks, such as, “I am grateful for the experience and skills I have gained during my time here.”
- A closing and your signature. End the letter with a standard professional closing, such as “Sincerely,” followed by your signature. Your typed name will suffice for an email.
What to Do During Your Last Two Weeks
Your conduct during your final two weeks is your opportunity to leave a lasting positive impression. Focus on facilitating a smooth handover of your responsibilities. You can collaborate with your manager to create a transition plan that outlines your daily tasks and the status of ongoing projects.
Offer to help train your replacement if one is identified before you leave. If not, create detailed documentation or a manual that can guide the next person in your role. This document might include information on where to find important files, key contacts, and upcoming deadlines.
Continue to maintain a positive attitude and avoid speaking negatively about your experience or the company with your colleagues. It can be tempting to mentally “check out,” but remaining engaged and productive demonstrates your professionalism. Wrap up your outstanding tasks and ensure your work area, whether physical or digital, is organized for the next person.
Handling a Counteroffer
After you resign, your employer might present you with a counteroffer. Companies often do this to avoid the cost and disruption of recruiting and training a new employee. A counteroffer may include a higher salary, a promotion, or other perks, but it is important to carefully consider the offer.
Reflect on the original reasons you decided to leave. If your decision was based on issues like company culture, a lack of growth opportunities, or a poor work-life balance, a salary increase is unlikely to resolve these underlying problems. A significant percentage of employees who accept a counteroffer end up leaving within a year anyway. Accepting a counteroffer can also damage trust, as your loyalty may be questioned in the future.