Emergencies, personal problems, or serious conflicts within your family might interfere with your performance at work.
Unfortunately, immediate resignations are not always seamless. Some managers may refuse your request downright (especially if you have an important role in the company) or assign you outrageous tasks to fulfill before allowing you to leave.
Below are practical tips for writing a convincing resignation letter due to personal reasons; keep them in mind!
In this article:
How To Write A Personal Reasons Resignation Letter: Excellent Tips
A resignation letter must include your official resignation statement, the final employment date, your transition/resignation plan, and words of gratitude. Avoid discussing your personal life more than necessary; instead, the letter should focus on addressing possible issues that might arise after your resignation.
If possible, give your manager a very early notice or talk with them in person before sending the letter.
1. What Should You Include In Your Resignation Letter?
Regardless of your work field or current position, a resignation letter should follow the standard format by including these items:
a. A Resignation Statement
This statement is to announce your official leave; therefore, it must include the company name, your supervisor’s name (if any), and the job title.
b. The Final Date of Your Employment
Mention how long (and to what date) you can keep your position. Give your higher-up adequate notice – preferably at least 2 weeks – if you can afford it.
c. Express Your Appreciation and Gratitude
Some of you might fall out with colleagues or feel unsatisfied with your job.
Nevertheless, with many years working in the labor field, I advise you to end your employment here on a positive note while keeping those feelings to yourself. From the opening to the closing sentence, express your gratitude for all the career opportunities and professional skills this job position has given you.
d. Brief Your Transition
Your manager or team members would certainly appreciate a clear transition plan, especially if your absence might interrupt or halt an ongoing project. Mention the following in your resignation letter:
- How will you announce your resignation to clients?
- Which projects can you complete before quitting?
- What would you do to offboard the remaining projects?
If possible, offer to assist the team for about 3 to 4 weeks after your resignation.
2. Tips to Have Your Letter of Resignation Accepted
a. Inform Your Manager Early
Announcing your departure as soon as possible is strongly recommended, as the company would have more time to prepare and rearrange the workloads you leave behind.
While two weeks is the average notice period, I suggest submitting your letter even earlier if you have a senior/managerial role that greatly impacts the entire business.
It would be even better to discuss the resignation with your boss in person before sending him an official letter/email. No manager wants a last-minute bomb, after all. Besides, you will have the chance to explain yourself better to him or mention details that are usually inappropriate to include in a formal letter.
b. Be Honest Yet Professional
Having worked with millions of workers at Uni Global, I’ve always valued honesty, so it’s best to explain why you must resign honestly but professionally.
You do not have to discuss every detail about your personal matters; most managers only want to know the basics. Instead, your letter should focus on any unfinished projects/tasks, how this resignation impacts the company, and your proposed solutions.
c. Pay Attention To The Font and Format
A small yet easily readable font size (10 to 12 points) would be the most appropriate. While there is no fixed rule regarding the font type, I suggest sticking to the usual Arial, Times New Roman, or Helvetica fonts for formal business letters.
d. Proofread and Edit Before Submitting
As with most letters or documents, you must proofread everything thoroughly before submission. Some employers are willing to give you words of recommendation if asked – all the more reason to polish your letter down to the last comma.
Examples Of Resignation Letters
1. Based On The Notice Period
a. More Than 2 Weeks of Notice
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I am writing this letter to formally notify you of my decision to step down from my [Current role] at [Company’s Name], effective [Number of days] from the date of this correspondence.
It has been a pleasure to work with the team, and I have genuinely cherished my time here. However, urgent personal matters [Brief explanation; optional] require my full attention, which prompts this difficult but necessary resignation. Therefore, my final date of employment will be on [The final date of employment].
I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I have had during my tenure at [Company’s name]. I am committed to ensuring a seamless transition before my departure. [Your Transition Period]. If the team needs my assistance searching for a suitable internal replacement, I am willing to contribute in any way possible.
I sincerely hope that our paths may cross again in the future. I wish the company continued success and growth.
Thank you once more for your understanding and support.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
b. 2 Weeks of Notice
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
I regret to inform you of my decision to resign from my role as [Job Position] at [Company’s Name]. This difficult resignation arises from personal circumstances that, regrettably, I am unable to disclose. These circumstances necessitate my immediate attention, and as a result, my last day at work will be two weeks from the date of this letter, on [The date].
I am grateful for the valuable experiences and learning opportunities I have gained during my tenure here. I am committed to completing all pending tasks and responsibilities before departure to ensure a smooth transition. [Your transition process]. If possible, I am willing to assist in training my successor within the remaining time.
Please feel free to contact me if further clarification or discussion is needed. You can reach me at [Your phone number or email address].
I will always cherish the memories of my time at [Company’s name]. I extend my best wishes to you and the team for the future.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
c. No Notice
Dear [Recipient’s name]
I am writing to tender my resignation from [Job position] at [Company’s name], effective immediately on [The date].
Regrettably, due to unforeseen personal circumstances [Brief explanation; optional], my resignation must not be delayed any further. I deeply apologize for not providing the standard two weeks’ notice. In the time remaining, I will complete and hand over as many pending tasks as possible to guarantee a smoother transition for my successor.
Your unwavering support during my tenure at [Company’s name] has been invaluable, and I am sincerely grateful for your guidance over the years. I extend my heartfelt appreciation for your understanding.
I hold your mentorship in high regard and wish you continued success.
Warm regards,
[Your name]
2. Short Resignation Letter For Personal Reasons
The above format leaves out the explanation part since it is up to each person.
However, if you struggle to word your reasons well, below are some common excuses my team has found to be quite effective; most managers will be supportive and unlikely to question further. Just insert these reasons into the resignation letter template [Brief explanation] I provided in the previous section.
a. Further Education
I am writing to inform you of my decision to pursue a Master’s degree in [Your Field of Study] at [Your University]. This has been a long-held dream of mine, and I am excited to take this opportunity to further my education and advance my career in [Your Field of Study].
b. Relocation
I am writing to inform you of my decision to relocate to [New city] due to my spouse’s new job opportunity. While I appreciate your guidance these past ten years, my priority is to support his career and maintain our family’s unity. Furthermore, this opportunity allows us to stay closer to our extended family, who reside in [A town in the new city].”
c. Pregnancy
I am writing to inform you of my pregnancy. Our family expects my baby to arrive in [Due Date Month].
While I understand maternity leave is an option, I believe that resigning and stepping away from my position will allow me to prioritize the needs of my growing family without compromising my commitment to my career.
Pregnancy and childbirth bring along physical and emotional changes that call for a long period of adjustment and self-care. Moreover, the demands of newborn care require a level of attention and dedication that I believe would be best provided outside the workplace.
See more:
How Should You Handle Your Remaining Tasks After Resigning?
- Prioritize urgent tasks or those with deadlines, and create a comprehensive to-do list to track your progress.
- Communicate your resignation timeline and give your manager an overview of the remaining tasks. Remember to document all your work.
- Train your replacement if possible; offer assistance and leave them your contact information.
Can You Take Back Your Resignation Once It Is Accepted?
While it is possible to withdraw your resignation letter after it has been accepted, the decision ultimately depends on your employer. Several factors might play a part, such as the reason for your resignation, the time since your resignation, or the impact of your departure.
Conclusion
Managers will likely accept your resignation letter for family or personal reasons if you offer to complete the remaining tasks or assist other teammates at your best. Ample notice (no less than two weeks) is also recommended.
Most importantly, avoid expressing bitterness or dissatisfaction in the letter; regardless of circumstances, the company has granted you numerous career opportunities and valuable skill sets.
Write to me and my team if you need clarification on anything!
