How To Write A Two Weeks' Notice Letter (With Examples) - Zippia (2024)

Knowing how to write a two-weeks notice letter is important when it comes to resigning from your job. This letter lets your employer know that you are quitting your job and it will inform them of your last day.

If you’re in need of writing a two-weeks notice letter but aren’t sure where to start, we’ll go over how to write a two weeks notice letter, provide an example notice letter, and some common mistakes to avoid when writing one.

Key Takeaways

• To write a two weeks notice letter, state your resignation on the first line of your letter and make sure you put the date of your last day.

• Submitting your resignation letter two weeks before your last day of work is standard practice.

• It’s important to make a good final impression with your letter because you want to leave the door open to receiving a recommendation from your current employer in the future.

• You should submit your letter after you’ve spoken with your boss about your resignation in person.

What is a two weeks’ notice letter and why should I write one?

A two-weeks notice letter is a document that an employee hands to their employer to inform them of their resignation. It’s traditionally handed in two weeks (14 days, 10 business days) before your final working date, as stated in the letter itself.

Note that there are no federal laws concerning giving any kind of warning before you quit your job. It’s simply a cultural practice to allow your employer enough time to plan for your departure (finding a replacement, reassigning your tasks, etc..)

The important point is that this letter serves as your last chance to leave a good impression on your soon-to-be former employer. It’s a formal, professional, and concise way to notify the company of your departure.

How to write a two-weeks notice letter

To write your two-weeks notice letter, you should start by addressing the letter, stating your resignation in the opening paragraph, and express your gratitude. Here is a more detailed list of how to write a two-weeks notice letter:

1. Address the letter. The beginning should be like any other professional document you’ve written: your name, date, and subject line. Include the information of the person you’re addressing and your company’s details.

2. State your intent and last day. This should be done in the first paragraph of your letter. Include the date of your last working day, which should typically be two weeks after the date you turn your letter in.

   Be straightforward, but also friendly. Emphasize who you are and your position in the company. At the end of this paragraph, put the date of your last day.

3. Say thank you. In the second paragraph, you should take the opportunity to thank your employers for hiring you in the first place and for the experience you’ve had working there.

   Even if it was the worst job you ever had, you gained the knowledge that you don’t want that type of job again. That’s valuable.

4. Give the reasons for departure. Optionally, you can give a reason for your departure in the next paragraph. You definitely don’t want to say, “I hated every second working here, and that’s why I’m quitting,”.

   Even if you’re quitting a job you just started, let an employer know that there are no hard feelings and you’re leaving because of a new opportunity.

   See Also

   2-Week Notice Resignation Letter (Copy and Paste)How to Write a Two Weeks’ Notice (With Templates) - NerdWalletGive Two Weeks' Notice With These Sample Resignation LettersTwo Weeks' Notice Letter

5. Offer help. Once you’ve addressed your resignation and the details, you can now move on to the next steps in your final paragraph. Offer your company help in whatever way that may be to smoothly transition a new employee into your position.

   Mention that you’re willing to train the new recruit and that you’ll continue working to your full capacity until your very last day. Of course, if you have no intention of helping find or train a replacement, then don’t indicate otherwise. Promise only what you’re willing and able to follow through on, or your nice offer will end up biting you.

   Be doubly thankful. Before you close your letter, thank your supervisor and the company once more. It can be a nice gesture to let them know you’re wishing them well in the future, despite your resignation. Courtesy is key.

6. The sign off. Finish your two weeks’ notice letter with a neatly packaged:

   Sincerely,

   [Your Name]

Example two-weeks notice letter

Template for two weeks’ notice letter

Two weeks’ notice letter tips

When you write and send a two-week notice letter, you should give a copy to your HR department and your supervisor and only include relevant information in the letter. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when writing your notice letter:

• Send your letter to your HR department and your supervisor. This makes it easy for them to file it away. Alternatively, you can simply CC them on the email you send to your boss.

• Include your name and the word “resignation” in the subject line. This makes it so that your recipient will instantly know the topic of your message. It also makes it easy for them to find in the future if need be.

• Include only the most important information. This includes the date of your last day of work and the fact that you are leaving the company. You don’t need to go into detail about why you’re leaving — save that for a personal conversation or exit interview.

• Keep your email positive and professional. Remember that you’re sending this letter to avoid burning bridges, so keep the content positive, or at least neutral. Thanking your employer for the opportunity they provided for you is a good way to do this, especially if you can’t think of anything else positive to say.

• Offer to help with the transition to a new employee. This may be an optional step you can do if it’s appropriate. This may be offering to help train the new person or simply promising to wrap up all of your open projects so they’re easy for the new person to take over. You can also just offer your general help if you don’t know what specifics to put.

• Plan for an immediate departure. While you are giving your employer two weeks’ notice for your departure, there’s a chance they may ask you to leave right away. Make sure you have all of your files backed up or have any important information before handing in your letter.

Common mistakes to avoid with your two weeks’ notice letter

You should avoid any negativity in your letter and talks about your salary. Here are some more mistakes to avoid in a two weeks’ notice letter:

• Negativity. There shouldn’t be any negative comments about the company, your supervisor, or your co-workers. You want to speak about your former team in a positive light, or not at all.

  Even if this was the most negative, infuriating job experience you’ve ever had. There’s a time and a place for these complaints, and your letter of resignation is not it (human resources might be).

• Salary. Another complaint you shouldn’t address in your two weeks’ notice is your salary, if that’s impacting your decision to leave. In this scenario, meet with your boss to discuss your salary concerns or send a salary increase letter. Once you’ve made the choice to resign, you’re writing a letter to notify, not bargain.

• Boasting. Try not to use a tone that is overly sarcastic, condescending, or rude. There’s no need to shove your great new job or opportunity in anyone’s face. Maintain a voice that is straightforward, appreciative, and respectful. You’ll probably receive the same consideration in return.

• Telling coworkers first. This isn’t really a mistake with your two weeks’ notice letter itself, but the circ*mstances surrounding it. Never tell your coworkers about your plans to leave before telling your boss and formalizing it in writing.

  See Also

  How To Write A Two Weeks Notice Letter (Sample Template Included)

What to consider before handing in your two weeks’ notice

A letter of resignation shouldn’t be taken lightly. Quitting your job is an enormous decision, and there are some considerations to take into account before you send it.

Imagine your life post-resignation, and how you want it to be. Questions to ask yourself:

• Do you have a new opportunity waiting for you on the other side, or will you be starting your job search after resigning?

• Is your new position higher or lower paying?

• Does this new job follow the path of your career goals?

• How long will you be waiting before you begin your new position?

• Can you survive off what’s in your bank account while you’re waiting?

• Are you leaving in the middle of a major project?

• How will you manage your benefits (unused PTO, health insurance extension, 401(k) transfer, etc.)?

• Is there any company property you have to return?

These are just some of the many questions to think about. Deciding when to quit can’t be done in an instant. You have to consider what’s in your best interest. Only you know the implications that moving on from this job can have for you. Don’t act before you think.

You can always draft your letter of resignation and wait to send it until you’re unquestionably sure or have found a new job already.

How to quit your job: beyond your two weeks’ notice letter

You should schedule a meeting with your boss when giving your notice letter and keep your explanation simple. It’s also important that you’re prepared for any bargaining from your boss to try and get you to stay. Here is a more detailed list of how to quit your job beyond handing in your notice letter:

• Schedule a meeting with your boss. A two weeks notice letter is great for formalizing your resignation, but we recommend having a conversation with your supervisor first.

  It’s up to you whether you want to bring your letter to this meeting or send it as a follow-up. This allows you to have a personal chat where you can really express your heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity (even if you hate your boss).

  Remember the mistake from above: do not tell any coworkers before speaking to your boss. It’s a really bad look if your supervisor hears about your departure from someone else.

  Try to arrange a time that’s convenient for your boss. If for some reason you don’t want to or can’t meet with your boss, schedule a meeting with an HR representative instead.

• Keep your explanation simple. Your boss will probably have questions about why you’re leaving and what’s next — part of it’s practical and part of it’s just natural curiosity. The most important part is that you give a decisive final date.

  Be ready to talk about the next steps of your departure, whether that involves finding and training a replacement or just wrapping up a project and handing it off to a coworker.

  Be careful not to gush about your new job opportunity or slip in any sly insults on what the company did wrong to lose you. If you have issues you’d like to discuss, you can do that at your exit interview.

• Be prepared for bargaining. You can expect a bit of pushback from your boss unless it’s obvious that you’ve been unhappy in your role for a while now. They might offer a raise, extra perks, or a change in responsibilities.

  If you’re not 100% firm in your decision, you can certainly explore these options. Just be aware that you’ve laid your cards on the table, which could make for a somewhat awkward future here.

  But if you’re absolutely certain that it’s time to move on, decline counteroffers with a polite statement that the next opportunity is your best option.

• Help find/train your replacement. If you really want to be a superstar, you can offer to help find and/or train your replacement. It’s a nice gesture that will guarantee you a glowing recommendation down the line.

  That being said, you should still commit to a firm final date — if they haven’t replaced you by then, that’s on your employer and you shouldn’t feel guilty about leaving.

• Return company property. Remember that you’ll have to turn over any company property when you resign. If you have laptops, tablets, phones, etc. with your personal information on them or you’re logged onto accounts on them, make sure to wipe everything clean.

  Of course, if you need any important files from them, make sure to save them somewhere cloud-based or download them. So long as you’re not breaking a non-compete agreement by doing so.

• Offer/get references. There’s no better time to lock down references than when you’re departing your job. It’s good practice to simultaneously offer references as you request them. You don’t have to get them from everyone you work with, but choose a few key people who can speak to your skill set.

  Beyond that, don’t forget to say goodbyes to all of your coworkers. Ghosting people makes them feel bad, and you never know when you’ll run into these people again.

• Have a great final two weeks. You’re so close to the finish line — don’t give in to senioritis. Be the best employee you can be during your final two weeks. Help get your team in a good place without you, train people on what you were doing, and consider leaving a checklist of how you get your job done to help your replacement.

  Don’t go into details about how awesome your new job is or talk smack about all the poor suckers who are stuck working here. Go out to class and you’ll be remembered well.

Two weeks’ notice FAQs

1. Why should you give a two weeks notice?

   You should give a two-weeks notice because it helps you maintain a professional relationship with your employer. Your two weeks’ notice letter is one of the last ways a former boss is going to remember you and describe you as an employee in the future. Writing a good one gives you a chance to leave your job and still maintain the professional relationships you created.

2. What is considered two weeks notice?

   Two weeks’ notice is considered to be 10 business days and/or 14 calendar days. There isn’t a law dictating this, so unless your employment contract specifies how much notice you have to give, it’s okay if it isn’t exactly two weeks. The point is just to give your employer enough time to at least begin the process of hiring someone to fill your position.

3. Can you get fired for giving a two weeks notice?

   Yes, you can get fired for giving a two weeks notice. This doesn’t necessarily mean you did anything wrong, employers just typically have the right to terminate your employment early so they don’t have to pay you for the remaining two weeks.

   This shouldn’t impact your professional reputation for future roles, but it may impact your bank account if you were counting on being paid all the way through until you start your next job. So, be prepared for this to be a possibility so you can enjoy your two weeks off as much as possible.

4. Should I give my two weeks’ notice on a Friday or Monday?

   You should give your two weeks’ notice on a Friday. This isn’t a rule that’s set in stone, it’s just a good way to ensure that your last day will be on a Friday. However, giving your notice on a Monday is also a common thing to do.

   In this case, you may also be able to have your last day land on a Friday, especially if you’ve already talked to your boss and are just turning in the letter as a formality.

5. Is two weeks’ notice 10 or 14 days?

   Two weeks is typically at least 10 business days in advance. When you have an end date in mind, make sure to give your notice letter to your boss at least 10 business days from that date. You may give more days if you are able to stay longer, but two weeks is the standard.

6. Are you legally required to give a two weeks notice?

   No, there are no laws requiring employees to give any notice before quitting. While you should check your policy before quitting because breached contracts may impact compensation or trigger a lawsuit, there are no laws stopping you from quitting without notice.

   There are circ*mstances where you shouldn’t feel guilty about leaving without giving two weeks’ notice. Some prime examples of situations where you can leave in a jiffy include:

   • Your job is putting your health and safety at risk

   • Your supervisor asked you to do something illegal or unethical

   • You are being harassed, bullied, or abused at your job

   • Your new employer needs you to start immediately

References

1. Law District – What is a Two Weeks Notice Letter

2. Best Fit Work – How to Calculate Two Weeks Notice