You’ve signed the new offer. Now comes the email that ends your current job: the two weeks’ notice.
It feels big, but the email itself should be small. A resignation email isn’t the place to explain your career decisions, air frustrations, or negotiate. It’s a short, polite, written record that you’re leaving and when.
This guide covers what to do before you send it, what to include, and five copy-paste templates for the most common situations.
Before You Resign: 4 Checks
- You have a signed written offer. Not a verbal yes. If you’re still waiting for paperwork, read our guide to following up on a verbal job offer first.
- Conditions are cleared. Background checks, references, and any start-date dependencies.
- You know your notice period. Two weeks is common in the US, but your contract may say 30, 60, or 90 days. Your contract wins.
- You’ve saved what’s yours. Personal files, contacts, and performance reviews you’re entitled to keep. Leave company data alone.
What to Include (and Leave Out)
| Include | Leave Out |
|---|---|
| A clear statement that you’re resigning | Complaints about pay, your manager, or the team |
| Your last working day, as a date | Details of your new salary or employer |
| A brief thank-you | Long explanations or apologies |
| An offer to help with the handover | Anything you’d regret being forwarded to HR |
Subject line: keep it plain, such as “Resignation – [Your Name]”. It should be obvious what the email is.
Who to send it to: your direct manager, with HR copied if your company expects it.
5 Two Weeks’ Notice Email Templates
Template 1: Standard Two Weeks’ Notice
Hi [Manager Name],
Please accept this email as formal notice of my resignation from my role as [Job Title] at [Company Name]. My last working day will be [Date], two weeks from today.
Thank you for the support and opportunities over the past [Time at Company]. I’m committed to making the handover as smooth as possible, so please let me know how I can help.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Template 2: Following Up After a Conversation
Use this when you’ve already told your manager in person or on a call.
Hi [Manager Name],
Thank you for taking the time to talk today. As discussed, I’m resigning from my position as [Job Title], and my last day will be [Date].
I’ll prepare handover notes for [key projects or responsibilities] by [Date] and am happy to help train whoever takes them on.
Thanks again for everything,
[Your Name]
Template 3: Longer Contractual Notice Period
Dear [Manager Name],
I’m writing to formally resign from my role as [Job Title]. In line with the [Notice Period, e.g. 60-day] notice period in my contract, my last working day will be [Date].
I’m grateful for my time at [Company Name] and will work to complete [key commitments] and hand over my responsibilities properly before I leave.
Please let me know the next steps from HR.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Employee ID, if used]
Template 4: Short and Neutral
When the relationship is strained, keep it brief and professional. Nothing in this email should be emotional.
Hi [Manager Name],
I’m resigning from my position as [Job Title], effective [Date].
I’ll make sure my work is documented and handed over before I leave.
Regards,
[Your Name]
Template 5: Asking About Leaving Earlier
Hi [Manager Name],
Please accept this as formal notice of my resignation from my role as [Job Title]. My contractual last day would be [Date].
My new role starts on [Start Date], so I’d like to ask whether an earlier release date of [Proposed Date] might be possible once my handover is complete. I completely understand if that doesn’t work for the team.
Thank you for your support,
[Your Name]
Handling a Counteroffer
Your manager may ask what it would take to keep you. Decide before you resign whether any counteroffer would change your mind. If the answer is no, say so kindly: “I really appreciate it, but I’ve made my decision and I’ve committed to the new role.”
If you do reconsider, tell the new employer quickly and honestly, then follow our guide on declining a job offer by email. Keep in mind that the reasons you started looking often don’t disappear with a raise.
If Your Manager Reacts Badly
Most managers take resignations professionally, but not all. If the conversation turns tense, stay calm and repeat the facts: you’re leaving, your last day is the date in your email, and you’ll hand over properly. Don’t debate your reasons or criticize anyone. If you’re asked to leave immediately, ask HR to confirm in writing how your notice period and final pay will be handled, and keep copies of your resignation email and their reply.
Your Last Two Weeks
- Write handover notes: open tasks, key contacts, where files live, and recurring deadlines.
- Tell colleagues personally once your manager agrees on the timing of the announcement.
- Stay engaged. People remember how you leave more than how you started.
- Ask for a reference or LinkedIn recommendation from colleagues who know your work.
- Collect contact details so you can reconnect later. Our templates for emailing a former boss or colleague make that easy when the time comes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a two weeks’ notice email say?
That you’re resigning, your last working day, a brief thank-you, and an offer to help with the handover.
Should I resign by email or in person?
In person or on a call first if you can, then send the email the same day as the written record.
Is two weeks’ notice always enough?
No. Check your contract; many require 30 to 90 days, especially outside the US.
When should I hand in my notice?
Only after you have a signed written offer and any conditions are cleared.
Starting Your Next Search?
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