Simple resignation letter.
A short, professional resignation letter — three paragraphs, clear notice period, no burned bridges. Use this when you want to keep the letter brief and the conversation in person.
Download the simple resignation letter
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[Date] Dear [Manager Name], I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from my position as [Title] at [Company Name], effective [Last Day]. This letter provides [Notice Period] weeks' notice in accordance with my employment contract. I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to work with the team at [Company Name] and for what I have learned during my time here…
What's inside the document.
Your name and the date. Optional company address.
One clear sentence: 'I am resigning from my position as [Title], effective [Last Day].'
Confirmation of the notice period you are providing — usually 2 weeks (US) or 4 weeks (AU professional).
One-sentence acknowledgement of the opportunity. Keep it sincere and short — anything longer reads as performance.
Optional one-sentence offer to support handover during the notice period.
Your signature and printed name.
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — print or attach to email
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this letter
- Personal-use licence (your own resignation)
Three formats, one document.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
6 steps from download to use.
- 01Open the letter in Word or copy to Google Docs.
- 02Replace the [Manager Name], [Title], and [Last Day] placeholders.
- 03Confirm the notice-period reference matches what your contract says.
- 04Read it once aloud. If a sentence feels off, cut it.
- 05Print and sign, or save as PDF for email.
- 06Have the conversation with your manager first; deliver the letter immediately after as the written record.
The right document at the right moment.
Use the simple resignation letter when you have already had (or plan to have) the conversation with your manager in person, and the letter is the formal written record. This is the right choice for most professional resignations — brief, clear, and easy to file.
If you have a complicated departure (counter-offer negotiation, contested terms, an unhappy reason for leaving), use the formal letter of resignation instead — it leaves more room for the operative terms while keeping the tone composed.
Honest answers before you download.
- Should I include my reason for leaving?
- No. Reasons belong in the conversation with your manager (and, optionally, the exit interview). The letter is a formal record of the resignation, not a place to litigate the decision.
- What if I'm leaving because of a problem?
- The letter still stays neutral. If there is a serious issue (harassment, discrimination, contract breach), address it through HR or counsel — not in the resignation letter, which becomes part of the personnel file and is read by future readers.
- Do I have to write a resignation letter?
- In most jurisdictions, no — verbal resignation is legally sufficient. But a written letter creates a clean record of the date, the notice period, and the terms, which protects both sides. It also helps your manager process the departure smoothly.
- How much notice should I give?
- Check your employment contract first — most specify a minimum (commonly 2 weeks in the US, 4 weeks in AU professional roles). If your contract is silent, 2 weeks is the standard professional minimum; senior roles and tightly-coupled teams often warrant longer.
This simple resignation letter template is a professionally drafted starting point and is not legal advice. The clauses follow current US and AU practice; adapt the document for your specific jurisdiction and have qualified counsel review any clauses you add before signing or distributing. Full disclaimer.