You’ve decided that you are going to quit your job. Now there’s only one thing left to do: write a two weeks’ notice letter informing your current employer that you intend to leave.
When you are about to leave a job, it is customary—and often required—to write a two weeks’ notice before your departure. This letter allows you to notify your employer that you intend to resign, giving them time to prepare for your departure. But it’s not always obvious how to write a two weeks notice.
We’re going to discuss what a two weeks notice is and why you should write one. We’ll also walk through a few tips to help you write a professional two weeks notice and quit your job professionally.
We’ll also provide a two weeks’ notice template, showing what a two weeks’ notice looks like. You can copy this template when it’s time to write your own.
What Is a Two Weeks’ Notice Letter?
Two weeks notice is a procedure where you notify your employer that you intend to leave your current position. As the name suggests, you do this at least two weeks in advance of your planned resignation.
This is not the same as a resignation letter, which is a formal announcement that you are leaving your current job. Submitting this notice gives you time to fulfill any important work obligations and wind down your work at the organization.
After you have submitted your two weeks’ notice, your employer may ask you to train your co-workers on some of your core responsibilities. You may also have to participate in an exit interview. This is where the business will seek feedback on your experience working there and how they can improve.
Not only does a two weeks’ notice give you time to transition, but it also helps an employer prepare to fill your role. Upon submitting the notice, an employer may decide to immediately start looking for new employees to cover your work.
Why Should You Write a Two Weeks Notice Letter?
Writing a two weeks notice letter is important for a few reasons.
In the modern workplace, submitting a two weeks’ notice has become common courtesy. If you intend to leave a job, it is respectful to give your employer advance warning of your leaving the company.
It is important to maintain a good relationship even with your former employers. This is because you may have to depend on them for references in the future. If you want to stay connected with your co-workers or boss, it is important that you leave on good terms.
In addition, writing a two weeks’ notice letter can be mandatory in some cases. Even in the cases where it is not, having a written record of your intent to resign is always a good idea. This will reduce the possibility of any conflict between you and your employer about your intent to leave and help the employer keep better track of your departure.
How to Write a Two Weeks’ Notice Letter
The first step toward leaving your position is informing your manager in person. While this is not a requirement, it is a good practice to speak in person with your manager and discuss your intent to leave. This approach gives your manager an opportunity to ask follow-up questions.
Once you have notified your manager that you intend to leave, you can provide an official two weeks’ notice to formalize your intent to leave. You may choose to provide this letter in your discussion, or after you have finished your conversation with your manager.
Here are a few of the key components that should make up the body of a two weeks’ notice letter:
- Proper address
- Intent to resign
- Reason for leaving
- Thank the employer
- Discuss next steps
#1: Proper Address
It may seem obvious, but one of the most important tips for writing the copy of your notice is to address it properly. Futher, begin with the standard salutation: Dear [Name]. Before the address, be sure to copy down your own contact information, as shown in the below template.
#2: Intent to Resign
Your two weeks’ notice should fill one core purpose—to state that you intend to leave your position. Make sure you are clear on your intent to resign and provide a date on which you are going to leave your position.
Providing a written date of your last day reduces the chance of any confusion, which should make the process of leaving the company smoother.
#3: Reason for Leaving
Optionally, you can state the reason why you are leaving your job. You could say that you are looking for a new challenge in your career or that you received an offer for your dream job.
If you do state a reason for leaving, maintain a positive tone. This will help ensure that you do not come across as ungrateful for the opportunities you have received in your current job.
#4: Thank the Employer
Two weeks’ notice letters often include a statement of gratitude. You could mention how grateful you are for all the opportunities to take on leadership roles. Or you could thank them for the progress that you were able to make while serving the company.
This is a good way to remind an employer that you appreciate them hiring and assisting you. This will help you leave on positive terms.
#5: Discuss Next Steps
Toward the end of your email, you should be clear on what your next steps are going to be. If you want to discuss working part-time until your transition is over, this would be a good time to mention it. Or if you are content working on the same terms until your last day, you should state so in this section.
Even if your next steps are obvious, being clear on what your boss can expect from you going forward is essential. Indeed, everyone who switches jobs has different needs. And the last thing you want is for your boss to misunderstand what you are looking to get out of this move.
In this section, you may even want to offer to help the employer with the transition process. You could say that you are willing to spend your final two weeks training someone to take over your role. Or you could say you would be willing to help interview candidates in the future.
Two Weeks’ Notice Template
Now you know what the main components of a two weeks notice are. But what does a two weeks notice look like? Here is a two week notice example to use as a template:
May 15, 2020
John Smith
ABC Company
123 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94101
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing to provide you with two weeks’ notice of my resignation from ABC Company. My final day as a marketing manager with ABC Company will be May 29th.
I have enjoyed working with ABC Company for the last two years. I appreciate all the opportunities you have given me to refine my marketing skills and experiment with new technologies during my tenure. However, I have just been offered an opportunity that I cannot turn down, as it better reflects my changing career goals.
I shall continue to perform my responsibilities as usual until my final day of employment at my current job. I am happy to help train someone to take over some of my duties if that would make the transition easier on your end. If there is anything else I can do to help, let me know.
Sincerely,
Hannah Peterson
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
Conclusion
Submitting a two weeks’ notice is one of the most important parts of leaving your current job. Even if it is not required, it is a good way to maintain a positive relationship with your employer.
A two weeks notice is typically short and is submitted after you have spoken with your manager face-to-face about your intent to resign.
By following the advice in this article, you should have no trouble with how to write a two weeks notice. Good luck in your next job!
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