So, you’ve decided to move on.
There are a bunch of reasons for leaving a job.
Maybe you have found a better one.
OR you’re one of the majority of Americans who are unhappy with their job.
Whatever the case is, this is a BIG decision. The process of quitting and letting your boss know that you’re leaving might feel a little daunting.
What if they get mad at you?
What if they feel betrayed and don’t understand your situation?
Will they give you a good reference letter?
Luckily, most of these problems can be solved with a two weeks’ notice letter.
Yes, that’s it! The only thing that’s standing between you and the next chapter of your career is a two weeks’ notice letter – a respectful, formal announcement that you’ll be leaving your current position.
In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about writing a two weeks’ notice letter. But first, let’s understand the concept.
What is a Two Weeks’ Notice Letter? (Definition)
A two weeks’ notice letter is a professional and concise way to inform your employer that you have decided to resign and leave the company.
In most workplaces, two weeks is the standard time period for a resignation announcement. You can probably find it written somewhere in your employment contract.
Informing your boss that you’re leaving your job and actually leaving are not the same.
There’s a small time frame between these two scenarios, generally two weeks, that helps the company to prepare for your departure.
But, why is a two weeks’ notice letter such a big deal? Let’s find out.
4 Reasons Why You Should Give Two Weeks’ Notice (Resignation)
1. Wrapping things up
A two weeks’ notice gives you time to finish all your work obligations, and wrap up your duties. You might also be required to train your co-workers to perform your tasks.
During this time, you can hand over the documents, files, and associated project knowledge to your coworkers. This assures that there are no hurdles in the projects that were assigned to you.
2. Finding a replacement
A two weeks’ notice gives your employer enough time to find a quality replacement (and plan you a farewell party!).
By staying for two weeks, you’re showing your soon-to-be former employer that you don’t want to leave them hanging. When you’re in a hard-to-replace role, this two weeks’ notice becomes even more important.
At the end of the day, someone needs to fill your position, and the sooner that happens, the better.
3. Getting a good recommendation
So, what do you want your former boss to say?
“Oh yes, they were really good, until they quit without giving proper notice, leaving the entire company to clean up the mess.”
OR, would you want your potential new boss to hear, “They were amazing! They even resigned in a sincere way and helped us a lot during the transition.”
A two weeks’ notice letter is the last chance to leave a good impression on your soon-to-be the former boss. Even if you aren’t on good terms with your boss and you couldn’t care less, you should still be professional about your resignation.
If you quit without notice, you’ll probably not get a good reference down the line!
4. Being professional
Think of a two weeks’ notice more as a civil gesture, rather than an obligation. If you quit without any notice, you’ll give everyone a really hard time.
Remember, every job is an experience. Even if the cons outweigh the pros, the job has still made you a better, more experienced person. It doesn’t matter if you get on well with your employer or not, simply saying “I quit” isn’t just unprofessional, it also portrays that the job didn’t give you any experience and you just don’t care.
A two weeks’ notice is a respectful, courteous way to exit your job and that’s why it’s one of the most important things you would have to write in your professional career.
So, let’s learn how to write a perfect two weeks’ notice and what are things that you need to keep in mind!
How to Write Two Weeks Notice Letter? (Steps for Resigning)
Step 1. Make your intentions clear
You’re not the first one to resign in the corporate world and definitely not the last. You don’t need to sugarcoat your two weeks’ notice letter. Stick to the facts and don’t beat around the bush.
Mention that you’re resigning from the company and your last day of work. Make it clear that you’ll leave the company in two weeks. Don’t give the impression that you’d stay longer if your boss asked you to.
Step 2. Keep it formal
You & your boss might’ve had a friendly relationship. However, that doesn’t mean you can incorporate funny anecdotes in your two weeks’ notice letter.
A professional two weeks’ notice letter means just that – being professional until the very end. Make sure that the letter is formal and respectful.
Step 3. Express gratitude (Even if you don’t want to!)
Thank your employer for giving you an opportunity to work with them.
Thank them for the skills you’ve learned during the job.
Be grateful for what this experience has taught you.
Whether you enjoyed working at the company or not, expressing gratitude and reflecting on all the things that went well is always a good idea.
Step 4. Keep it simple and concise
People often go overboard with details while writing their two weeks’ notice letter. Don’t give in to the urge of oversharing your reasons and your feelings.
This notice is just an official intimation to your employer and you really don’t need to mention why you’re resigning and what you plan to do next. You’ve made the decision to quit and that’s all there is to it.
If you want to go into the “why”, you can do that when you meet your employer.
Read more: Letter of Resignation: Definition, Examples and Format!
Step 5. Avoid sharing negative feelings
Maybe you weren’t appreciated in the job.
Maybe you had to deal with a terrible coworker.
Whatever the situation is, your two weeks’ notice letter is not the right place to share your grievances and complaints.
Even if you had a very tough time in the company, take the high road, reflect on the good times you spent at the company, and leave on a positive note.
Step 6. Do what you can to help
“Oh no! If he leaves, how’ll we finish the project?”
“How’ll we find a good replacement?”
These are the first thoughts that’d cross your employer’s mind when they find out that you’re leaving the job. The least you can do is put your mind at ease!
It is never easy for a company to transition to a replacement. There is a big learning curve & training costs to deal with. In your letter, state that you want to make the transition as smooth as possible. Small things such as training the new employee and handing over your projects can go a long way.
Step 7. Proofread, proofread & proofread
This is not the time to make a silly typo. Proofread your two weeks’ notice multiple times and review spelling, names, grammar – everything.
Once you’re absolutely sure, send it off to your boss!
A two weeks’ notice isn’t just a plain old document. It sets the tone for your relationship with the company moving forward. So, it’s worth putting in a little effort and making sure that your two weeks’ notice letter is perfect.
Creating a solid two weeks’ notice starts with investing in a process that can save you from a lot of hassle (and get you a good recommendation from your boss!)
Read more: Letter Of Recommendation: What is it & How to Write it?
Dos and Don’ts of a Two Weeks Notice Letter
A well-crafted two weeks notice letter is essential for maintaining positive professional relationships and leaving your current job on good terms. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to include and avoid:
Do:
1) Be Professional: Maintain a formal tone and courteous language throughout the letter. This shows respect for your employer and the organization. Even if you’re on good terms with your boss, keep the letter formal to ensure clarity and professionalism.
Example:
“Dear [Manager’s Name], I am writing to formally resign from my position as [Your Position] at [Company Name], effective two weeks from today, [Last Working Day].”
2) Be Clear and Concise: State your resignation and include your last day of work. There’s no need for elaborate explanations. Clear and straightforward communication is key.
Example:
“My last day of work will be [Date], which provides two weeks’ notice from today.”
3) Express Gratitude: Thank your employer for the opportunities and experiences you’ve gained. This helps leave a positive impression and shows your appreciation.
Example:
“I want to express my gratitude for the opportunities and experiences I have had while working at [Company Name]. It has been a pleasure being part of the team.”
4) Offer to Help: Show your willingness to assist with the transition process. This can include training your replacement or helping with the handover of your responsibilities.
Example:
“I am more than willing to assist in the transition process and help train my replacement to ensure a smooth handover of my duties.”
5) Proofread: Make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors. A well-written letter reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.
Don’t:
1) Burn Bridges: Avoid negativity or criticism about the company, your colleagues, or your experiences. Your resignation letter is not the place to air grievances.
Example:
Avoid saying, “I’m leaving because the management is terrible and I can’t stand my coworkers.” Instead, focus on the positive aspects of your experience.
2) Go into Detail: There’s no need to explain why you’re leaving. Keep the letter focused on your resignation and last day of work.
Example:
Simply state, “I have decided to pursue other opportunities.” There’s no need to elaborate unless you feel it is necessary and appropriate.
3) Be Negative: Maintain a positive and professional tone throughout the letter. This ensures that you leave on good terms and keeps the door open for future opportunities.
Example:
Instead of saying, “I’ve had a terrible experience here,” say, “I have appreciated the opportunity to work here.”
4) Give Ultimatums: Resist the temptation to use your resignation letter to negotiate or make demands. This is not the right time or place for ultimatums.
Example:
Avoid statements like, “If I don’t get a raise, I’m leaving.” Your resignation letter should be a clear and polite notification of your departure.
5) Slack Off: Continue fulfilling your duties to the best of your ability during your notice period. Maintaining your work ethic reflects well on you and helps ensure a smooth transition for your team.
Example:
Ensure you finish any pending projects and offer support to your colleagues during this transition period.
Two Weeks Notice/Resignation Letter Examples/Samples
Writing a two weeks’ notice letter might sound like a daunting task, but really, it’s actually very simple.
You don’t need to spend more than an hour or two of your time, and a pinch of your patience.
Want to put all the tips and guidelines we’ve given you together and see what a two weeks’ notice letter looks like in practice?
Let’s check out some examples that check all of our boxes.
Two Weeks Notice Letter Example #1
Date
Manager’s Name
Company Name
Company Address
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:
This letter is meant to serve as a two weeks’ notice of my official resignation from [the company]. My last day will be [date].
Working for you has been a great experience and I really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this company. Everything that I learned here has helped me grow as an employee and as a person.
Over the next two weeks, I will do my very best to wrap up my work and pass along my knowledge to all the other team members.
I apologize for any difficulties and inconvenience my departure may cause. Please let me know if I can provide any help to make this transition a smooth one.
Thank you once again and I wish you and [the company] all the best in the future.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name
Two Weeks Notice Letter Example #2
Date
Manager’s Name
Company Name
Company Address
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:
I would like you to accept this letter as my formal resignation from [the company], effective two weeks from now. Therefore, the last day of my work will be [date].
After careful consideration, I have accepted a position at another company that will further my personal and professional growth but I remain grateful to everyone at [the company].
Working with [the company] has been a rewarding and memorable professional experience, and I will be taking only good memories from this job.
If there is anything that I can do to assist with the transition, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Once again, I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for providing me the opportunity to work with you.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name
Two Weeks Notice Letter Example #3
Date
Manager’s Name
Company Name
Company Address
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:
Through this letter, I want to let you know that I would like to resign from my position as [the position] at [the company]. My last day of work will be [date], two weeks from today.
This was a difficult decision for me. I have learned a lot throughout my time at the company and gained great experience that will surely help me in my career.
Over the next two weeks, I will tie up the loose ends on any projects I have. If there is anything that I can do to help you in finding a fitting replacement and guiding them, please let me know.
Again, it has been an utter pleasure working with you. I hope we get the chance to work together again in the future!
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Name
Final Words
You’ve worked so hard at the company.
Why leave a bad impression towards the end, right?
Your goal is to leave peacefully and positively, no matter how eager you’re to escape. Wrap things up properly, and leave in a professional manner.
Make your two weeks’ notice unimpeachable and once it’s done, start celebrating! After all, you got a new job in today’s market scenario, and you did it without leaving a mess behind you.
Combine our tips on how to craft a two weeks’ notice letter with one of Bit.ai’s template and voila, you’ll have a solid notice in your hand!
Happy writing!
Further reads:
Business Letters: Definition, Types, Format, and Tips!
Complaint Letter: What is it & How to Create it? (With Examples)
Employment Verification Letter: Definition, Steps, and Format!
Leave of Absence Letter: How to Write it?
Confirmation Letter: Definition, Importance, and Format!
Succession Planning: What is it & How to do it?
Invitation Letter: What is it & How to Write it?
