How To Write An Immediate Resignation Letter

Let’s be honest, unless you have a dream job that you never plan on leaving, there will come a time when you will have to write a resignation letter to your employers. 

Throughout your career, there might be several instances where you might find the need to write an immediate resignation letter to your boss explaining why you are leaving professionally and logically. However, this is often easier said than done.

Writing a resignation letter requires a lot of thought as even though you are closing a door, you never want to leave with that door being slammed shut or permanently closed to you. 

In this guide, I will help you compile an immediate resignation letter that is formal, professional, and written in a manner that still allows you to keep that door ajar in case you ever decide you want to come back to the organization you plan on leaving!

Writing An Immediate Resignation Letter

In most instances, it is a professional courtesy to provide your employer with a two-week notice period if you plan on resigning, even if that isn’t stated in your employment contract.

However, sometimes that simply isn’t possible. In cases where you have a family emergency, are forced to move, or find that the workplace environment is no longer conducive, legitimate, or to your liking, an immediate resignation letter is often the only course of action. 

But how do you convey that to your employer without them feeling disgruntled or burning a bridge? Here’s how!

Before writing an immediate resignation letter, check out this article for step-by-step guide on how to quit a job without notice professionally.

1. Use A Formal Business Letterhead Template

Writing a resignation letter should always be done using a business letter format. This includes your name, your position in the company, your date of resignation, and your personal contact information either at the top of the letter or at the bottom if you are sending your resignation through email.

2. The Opening

Begin your resignation letter with a formal “Dear…(name of the manager, supervisor, or HR personnel) and follow it up with a short statement that tells the person concerned that you are resigning from your current position effective immediately. 

3. The Body

This is going to be the main part of your resignation letter and the best chance for you to explain to your current employer the reason for leaving on such short notice. 

Use the body of your letter to provide a detailed explanation of why you are resigning immediately and the ways that you can help the organization cope with finding and training a replacement. 

This is essential as it can help reduce the resentment, inconvenience, or tension that your resignation can have on your employer. Here is what you should include in the body of your formal letter.

The Reason For Leaving

If the reason for leaving is due to external factors and not anything to do with your employer or organization, make sure you state that in your resignation. 

If you do not want to disclose why you are resigning you can always choose to use the term “personal reasons” as this can cover a broad range of reasons from family emergencies to underlying health issues. 

Even though it isn’t necessary to provide a reason for resigning, it is always best that you do, as otherwise, the news won’t go down as well and it can result in you burning a bridge.

How You Plan On Helping With The Transition

It is always best to add at least a sentence or two to show that even though you are resigning immediately you are still open to helping your employer or company with whatever is needed so as not to negatively impact day-to-day operations.

However, if you don’t intend on helping the company with the transition it is best to leave this part out. Committing to helping with the transition and not living up to that promise could even be more detrimental. Only include this in your body if you genuinely want to leave on good terms and help with getting your replacement up to date and keep the workflow going.

Acknowledging The Opportunity and Being Grateful 

Regardless of the reason for wanting to leave your job, it is always important to acknowledge the opportunity that was given to you and be grateful for everything you learned and accomplished during your tenure. 

You don’t have to go overboard or sugarcoat things. Just a couple of sentences are enough to show your appreciation and thanks.

4. The Close

Always end your resignation letter with a formal sign-off. This includes ending with sincerely or best regards and your signature/printed name.

Read More: 7 Tips On How To Resign From A Narcissistic Boss

Example Of An Immediate Resignation Letter

Tips To Remember When Writing An Immediate Resignation Letter

Here are some additional tips to help you leave your job in the most positive way possible even if you are resigning without intending to help with the transition or serving a notice period.

Communicate With Your Superiors Before Resigning

It is always recommended to have a face-to-face conversation with your supervisor or manager before sending out a formal resignation letter. Yes, it is likely going to be an awkward conversation but it is the best way to help soften the blow and ensure that your departure from the organization is as smooth and non-dramatic as possible.

Read More: Why Do Managers Get Mad When You Quit?  

Be Honest About Your Reasons For Leaving

It is natural to not want to disclose all the reasons for your resignation or lie about the reasons to avoid having a long and awkward conversation.

However, the more honest and sincere you are about the reasons for your departure the easier it is for your employers to accept your circumstances and allow you to leave while still being on good terms.

The worst thing one can do is to resign immediately without providing any valid reason at all as in such a situation your employer is likely only going to assume the worst.

Try To Give As Much Notice As Possible

While in some cases, giving notice isn’t plausible it is always important to keep your supervisor or manager in the loop about your current and future plans.

For example, if you feel that there is a high chance that you will get a job at another company and will have to begin work there immediately you can inform your superiors about this possibility, even if it doesn’t materialize. 

The more notice your employer has, the less of a negative impact your resignation will have on the organization. So, always try to give as much notice as possible even if it’s just a few days.

Final Thoughts

Leaving a company without serving a notice period or providing advanced notice is never a good thing, but it can still be done without burning bridges or closing doors. However, if you do face retaliation over your resignation check out this article to learn how to deal with such a situation.

Read More: How To Quit A Job Over Text: Here Are The Right Ways To Do It (With Examples)