How to Write a Two Weeks’ Notice Letter [With Samples and Templates]

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Are you about to resign from your job? Then you should know by now that you have to prepare a two weeks’ notice letter to let your employer know about your departure so they can prepare a proper transition. A 2-week notice letter is not only important as a courtesy to your company, but also as a way for parting ways professionally, positively, and with as little disruption as possible. 

Therefore, many specialists and recruiters encourage workers to give a two weeks’ notice letter to their managers. If it happens to be the first time you’ll be creating one, keep reading to learn more about this document, how to write it, and even grab some templates to get you started. 

What is a two weeks’ notice letter?

A two weeks notice is a type of resignation notification, considered a common courtesy when you, as an employee, have decided to part ways with your current company. As the name implies, in your 2-week notice letter, you notify your employer that you’ll be leaving your role in 14 days. 

Contrary to a resignation letter that’s often used or saved as recorded documentation to keep an employee’s exit lawful, a 2-week notice letter is not mandatory by any law. Even if some employers require their workers to hand in a two weeks’ notice before terminating their contract, it’s still a common courtesy that depends on the employee.

Even if your relationship with your employer is not a rosy picture, giving a two-week notice letter is highly recommended. It speaks more about your professionalism, and you never know if in the future you’ll need a referral from a former manager or even getting a job where you used to work. 

Reasons and how to give a two weeks’ notice letter

As mentioned above, depending on your employment conditions, your employer may require you to give a two weeks’ notice letter as a part of your formal resignation process, so make sure to review the terms before making any moves on your job search or notifying your manager. Among the most common reasons for leaving your job and giving a 2-week notice letter are the following:

• A new job offer
• A career change 
• Retirement
• Taking a sabbatical, traveling, or moving to a new city 

Even if it seems like a mere formality, you can use the notification period from your two-week notice to complete any work obligations or pending projects you have, as well as to give time to your employer to hire your replacement so your coworkers feel a little less of your absence. If your employers intend to retain you, remember that during the notice time, you could receive a counteroffer from them.

Can I email my two weeks’ notice, or should I schedule a time with my manager before handling it? These are the most common questions employees who are about to leave their jobs have in their minds, and truth be told, this will depend on your case. 

Of course, you can email your two weeks’ notice if you work from home, your company’s site is in a different place than where you live, or if your departure is already settled and you’re only fulfilling a corporate requirement. 

On the other hand, if your company is more formal with processes, you should consider handing in your 2-week notice written and following the standard procedure. Here are a few steps to follow for giving your employer a two weeks’ notice letter smoothly yet professionally.

1. Plan your departure and last day at work.
2. Schedule a meeting with your manager.
3. Prepare for any possible inquiries or questions.
4. Provide your written two-week notice letter.
5. Wrap up your pending projects.
6. Leave on the best terms with all your coworkers and managers.

Tips for writing a two weeks’ notice letter

Are you writing a two weeks’ notice letter for the first time? No worries, it’s less daunting and will surely enrich your network and personal branding. So, despite your company’s resignation policies, encourage yourself to do it, and if you’re figuring out how to write a 2-week notice letter, here is a structure for you to follow. 

1. Address the letter

Start your two weeks’ notice letter with the date, company name and address, and the name of your manager or the person to whom you are addressing the document. Remember to also greet the recipient professionally at the start of the letter. 

2. Communicate your resignation

In the very first paragraph of your 2-week notice letter, inform your employer that you will leave your job in two weeks and make sure to include the date of your last day at your job role.

3. Share your reasons for leaving the job

Although this item is optional, if you feel comfortable doing it, explain why you’re resigning from the company in your two-week notice letter. Whether it’s a career change or a new job offer, make sure to explain it in one or two sentences so your employer can use it as feedback and for understanding your perspective. 

4. Express your gratitude

In the next paragraph, thank your employer for the experience and knowledge acquired during your time at the organization. If it’s your case, you can also praise some of the company’s positive aspects in your 2-week notice letter: open communication, mental health awareness, work-life balance, or workplace diversity, to name a few.  

5. Extend your support on the next steps

In the closing paragraph of your two weeks’ notice letter, let your employer know you’ll continue to perform your duties as a top performer until your last day in the role. It is also important to offer your manager help during the transition and to introduce your replacement to the ins and outs of your position if necessary. 

6. Close your letter

Once you’ve finished your two weeks’ notice letter, remember to finish it with a formal closing, your name, signature, and contact information.

In case you need extra insight on how to make your two-week notice letter more effective, here are a few additional tips to keep in mind while writing it. 

• Be as straightforward: Even though a two weeks’ notice letter is a must for some companies when an employee leaves, a fundamental principle of business communication is immediacy and clarity, so be sure to keep your resignation letter sharp and brief. 
• Keep a positive attitude: Even if you’re leaving your job because of a stressful work environment or disagreements with your employer, make your two weeks’ notice letter under a positive tone so you can part ways on good terms and keep your coworkers and managers in your professional network. 
• Be prepared for an immediate departure: keep in mind that even if you handle a 2-week notice letter, your employer can ask you to leave at the moment you give your notice. Make sure to check your company’s resignation policies and be prepared for this scenario by backing up important files or saving work samples for your portfolio.
• Follow the next steps agreement with your manager: If things flow smoothly, your manager will, in fact, use the two weeks after your notice letter to make a transition. Make sure to put together a plan alongside them to finish pending projects, wrap up any shared processes with coworkers, and, of course, say goodbye to them. 

Two weeks’ notice letter samples

If inspiration hasn’t gotten to you or you prefer to look over samples before writing, here are a few templates you could use as a reference for your own two weeks notice letter. They will help you save time and get your brain juices flowing. 

Professional two-week notice letter template

The following template is an example of a two weeks’ letter with a professional tone that would be hand printed. Keep in mind this is a template with the basic elements of a 2-week notice letter, but you can add the reason for your departure in case you feel comfortable with it. 

[Date]

[Company’s name]

[Company’s address]

Dear [Supervisor’s name]

Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from [position’s name] with [company’s name]. My last day will be [final day of work], two weeks from today.

I am grateful for the time I have been at [company’s name] and the opportunity to grow in my role and learn more about [industry]. Your guidance and support, as well as the camaraderie from my coworkers, have equipped me with valuable skills and experience that I will carry and treasure on my next steps. 

Please let me know how I can help make this transition as smooth as possible. I wish you and the company all the best going forward.

Sincerely,
[Your signature and name]

Two-week notice email template

In case you won’t be able to handle your two weeks’ notice letter personally, you’ll have to send it via email. Despite the medium, you can still be formal and follow the same structure and tips for your 2-week notice email and even add your two-week notice letter as an attachment. Here is a template you can follow to write your resignation email. 

Subject: Resignation Notice – [Your name]

Dear [Manager’s name]

Please accept this email as my formal resignation from my role as [position’s name] at [company’s name], effective two weeks from today, on [final day of work]. 

I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with you and the rest of the team, as well as the support and valuable experience I have gained in my time at [company’s name]. I am certain that the knowledge I acquired will be of great help to me in the future.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do during my final two weeks to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. 

Once again, thanks for everything. My best wishes going forward. 

Sincerely

[Your name]

Depending on your case, you may have to make adjustments to the template you use or add more information, but overall, with all these elements and information, you should now be able to craft a two weeks’ notice letter successfully and in little time.

Contributed by Luis Arellano