| It turns out that "tips and templates on how to | | | | haveimplications for you, the organization you are |
| writeresignation letters" is the third most | | | | leaving,and the colleagues and friends you are leaving |
| sought-afterinformation at my Writing Help Central | | | | behind. Youmust realize that regardless of the real |
| Web site. | | | | reasons behind yourdeparture, the message received |
| So, when I looked into the subject more closely, I | | | | by many will be that you'releaving because the |
| wassurprised to find that there is not a lot of | | | | organization and/or people just don'tmeasure up any |
| guidanceavailable in guide book form on how to write | | | | more. This is a natural human reaction formany people |
| a proper andappropriate resignation letter. In fact, a | | | | and can't be entirely avoided. Just besensitive to it and |
| recent visit tothe world's largest bookstore revealed | | | | don't say, do, or write anything thatunnecessarily |
| thatthere are no "how to" books available there that | | | | aggravates such feelings of abandonment. |
| deal withthe art of writing resignation letters. | | | | Simple Formality or Big Surprise |
| Surprising, but true. | | | | A resignation letter can simply be the formalization of |
| This is interesting, because when you really look into | | | | aconversation that already took place with your boss, |
| it,you realize that whether you leave a job gracefully | | | | or anannouncement you made in a meeting. On the |
| andappropriately will almost certainly have career and | | | | other hand, aresignation letter can be tendered |
| personalimplications, and can be almost as important | | | | completely unannounced,as a total surprise. In fact, this |
| as writinga resume/cv or a cover letter. | | | | is often the case in thereal world. If this latter case |
| THE EMOTIONS BEHIND RESIGNATION LETTERS | | | | applies in your situation,you will have to be prepared to |
| A resignation letter will be one of the most | | | | deal with any one of anumber of possible reactions |
| emotionally-charged business letters that you will ever | | | | from the organization andyour colleagues, ranging from |
| write. Thesentiments behind it are invariably volatile | | | | total acceptance, to anger,bargaining, and resentment. |
| because ofwhat it represents. In fact, studies have | | | | Positive Beats Negative |
| found thatleaving a job can be almost as stressful as | | | | The way in which you resign from an organization can |
| the breakup ofa marriage. | | | | havesignificant implications, both career-wise, and |
| Nevertheless, it is highly advisable that not too many | | | | personally. |
| ofthose emotions, especially any negative feelings, | | | | Regardless of the circumstances and/or |
| gettransferred to the written page. As much as | | | | atmospheresurrounding your departure, you will be |
| possible, aresignation letter should be treated as a | | | | well-advised totake whatever measures you can to |
| business letter,just like any other business letter. | | | | neutralize any negativefactors that may be in play. |
| There are a number of reasons why resignation | | | | The approach and wording usedin the resignation letter |
| letters havemore emotional implications than most | | | | can go a long way towardsachieving this aim. |
| other personal orbusiness letters. Here are the obvious | | | | Always A Balancing Act |
| ones: | | | | Writing a letter of resignation can be a bit of a |
| - They are highly personal because they normally | | | | balancingact. You want to be honest, clear, and firm |
| mark theseverance of both professional and personal | | | | regarding yourintentions to leave, while at the same |
| relationships,sometimes of a long-term nature. | | | | time you don't wantto alienate the employer you are |
| - They typically signify the end of a period in a | | | | leaving. It would be nicefor that door to remain open, or |
| person'sprofessional and/or personal life. | | | | at least ajar, just incase you want to enter it in the |
| - They represent the beginning of a new period or | | | | future. After all, younever know what may happen |
| phase insomeone's personal and professional life, | | | | down the road. For all you know,your current employer |
| conjuring upthe fears that often arise with an uncertain | | | | could end up buying the company youare moving to. |
| future. | | | | So be careful about limiting your futureoptions. |
| KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF RESIGNATION | | | | Backlash Can Be Swift |
| LETTERS | | | | Negative impacts from a poorly written or |
| Following are a number of primary characteristics | | | | inappropriatelyworded resignation letter can be almost |
| thatare unique to resignation letters. | | | | immediate. Forexample, if you are hoping to get a |
| Not Just Job-Related | | | | good recommendationor reference from the employer |
| Mention "resignation letter" and 99 of 100 people will | | | | you're leaving, a negativeresignation letter can only hurt |
| thinkexclusively about job-related situations. In reality, | | | | your letter ofrecommendation/reference. Also, even if |
| thereare a number of areas and circumstances for | | | | you don't requesta recommendation letter there is |
| whichrecommendation letters can be required. For | | | | nothing to stop futurepotential employers from |
| example, inaddition to leaving jobs, resignation letters | | | | checking back with organizationsyou have worked for. |
| can berequired for such situations as: stepping down | | | | So here's a word to to the wise. Before you blindly |
| from acommittee, opting out of a course at school, | | | | jumpinto writing a resignation letter, you might want to |
| leaving a clubor fellowship, and others. | | | | spendsome time thinking about it and finding out how |
| Sensitive and Delicate | | | | to writeone that is proper and appropriate, so that it |
| When you submit your resignation letter it will | | | | won't comeback to haunt you. |