Contrary to conventional wisdom, giving a two weeks notice in person sends a professional message to your superiors. In addition, you should follow up with a resignation email that formalizes your intent to depart from the company.
The minimum is usually a period of two weeks, and it is a standard practice independent of the industry. However, if you have a contractual agreements, part of a union, or specific requirements, follow those specific guidelines pertaining to you.
Also, processing the resignation for an employee may require forms to sign, and additional paperwork. So, be courteous and patient throughout the entire process no matter what.
In the next section, I will list what specific details need to be included in your two weeks notice email.
Don’t Miss These Things in Your Email or You’ll Destroy Your Professional Image
As previously mentioned, it is important to inform your manager, supervisor or superior of your intent to leave your current post. It is possible the person who processes employee resignations is away from the office, so you are required to draft your two weeks notice by email.
The following are tips on how really format resignation email:
- Email manager, supervisor, or superior. Upon notifying in person your intent to resign, email the responsible person and include a carbon copy (cc). This facilitates archiving the message and make it easily available.
- Give two weeks notice. In your subject line you should paste “Two weeks notice”. It will go straight to the point, and is the normal, and formal process to follow.
- Do not provide specific details. Once you communicate your intent the rest follows a pretty straightforward process. Do not under any circumstances provide any negative feedback, or explicitly reasons why you are leaving. Just say something along the lines of moving on to the next step in your professional development. Do not burn bridges since your soon to be former employer will be contacted as a reference in the future.
- Offer help or assistance. It is advisable and recommended to offer help while you complete your two week period. This means finishing any pending projects or tasks for the remainder of the time. But do not overcommit since you are transitioning out of the company.
- Provide contact information. Once you have completed your two week period provide contact information. This can be a personal email address and a cell phone number. Since your work email address will get deactivated it makes sense to leave contact details in the event of something left to be completed.
- Show gratitude. This is a pivotal point to keep in mind. Mention in your departure email in a few sentences why you enjoyed working there, and any relevant accomplishments. This leaves the door open and eliminates any possibilities of burning bridges.
- Provide precise date of departure. This piece of information is central to you and your employer. This allows you and the organization to start figuring out logistics of finding a replacement. The date can never be overlooked.
Leave With Grace And Peace. No Love Loss.
Remember to maintain absolute professionalism from the moment you announce your intent to quit. You do not want your remaining days with your employer to be filled with a lot of stress, and frustration.
As long as you include these 7 things in your two weeks notice email, it will ensure that you can have a cordial departure. No matter what were the circumstances leave on good terms. You just might end up seeing someone or getting interviewed by someone who you used to work with, so it is therefore paramount to quit gracefully.
