Resignation Letter Templates for Every Notice Period

Four situations, four letters. Each is copy-ready, and each has one line marked that you must rewrite rather than send as-is.

Standard two weeks notice

The default in most US employment, and the one to use unless your contract says otherwise.

Dear [Manager’s name],

I am writing to give notice of my resignation from my role as [job title]. My last working day will be [date, two weeks from today].

I am happy to help with the handover in whatever way is most useful, including documenting my current work and briefing whoever takes it on.

Thank you for the opportunity to work here.

Best regards, [Your name]

Rewrite: the date. Count fourteen calendar days from the day you hand it over and name that day explicitly. A two weeks notice letter that says “effective two weeks from today” produces an argument later about which day was meant.

Extended notice: one month or more

Common in senior roles, regulated fields and outside the US. With a longer notice period the handover stops being a courtesy and becomes the substance of your remaining time, so the letter should say more about it.

Dear [Manager’s name],

I am writing to give notice of my resignation from my role as [job title], in line with my contractual notice period. My last working day will be [date].

Over the coming weeks I will document my current responsibilities, complete [specific piece of work], and support the handover to whoever takes the role on. I am glad to help with recruitment or induction if that would be useful.

Thank you for the opportunity to work here.

Best regards, [Your name]

Rewrite: the specific piece of work. Naming one concrete deliverable is what makes this letter read as a plan rather than a formality.

Short notice

When you cannot give the full period but are not leaving immediately.

Dear [Manager’s name],

I am writing to give notice of my resignation from my role as [job title]. Owing to circumstances outside my control my last working day will be [date], which I know is shorter than my usual notice period.

I want to make the handover as straightforward as possible in the time available. I will prioritise documenting [specific responsibility] and can be available for questions after my last day.

I am sorry for the short notice, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked here.

Best regards, [Your name]

Rewrite: the responsibility you will prioritise. Also note this is the only one of the four letters where an apology belongs, and it should appear exactly once.

Immediate resignation

Rare, and usually the result of a situation that genuinely warrants it. Keep it to three sentences.

Dear [Manager’s name],

I am resigning from my role as [job title], effective immediately.

I am willing to answer questions by email over the next week to support the handover.

[Your name]

Rewrite: nothing, and add nothing. Immediate resignations are where people are most tempted to explain, and where explaining costs the most. If there is a grievance, it belongs in a separate document to HR, written after you have slept on it. See immediate resignation for the contractual exposure.

Which one to use

Situation	Letter	Notes
Standard US employment	Two weeks	Check the contract first
Contractual notice of a month or more	Extended	Name a deliverable
Genuine constraint, some notice possible	Short notice	Apologise once
Safety, health, untenable situation	Immediate	Three sentences, no explanation

Before you send any of them

Check your contract for the required notice period. Confirm the exact date and write it out. Have the conversation first, then send. Keep a copy for yourself, because you may need the dates later for a reference or a claim.

Related

For writing one from scratch rather than adapting a template, see how to write a resignation letter. For blank editable files, see free resignation letter templates. For high-stakes exits, see professional resignation letters, and for sending by email see resignation email templates.

Our resignation letter generator fills any of these in, and the notice period is a good moment to update your resume.

Pick the letter that matches your notice, rewrite the marked line, send it after the conversation. You can update your resume before you go.