How to Write a Short Notice Resignation Letter (With Examples and Template)

A resignation letter is an important document to write your employer when you decide to leave your position. Even if you must leave on short notice, it is a good practice to write a formal resignation letter to notify your manager and other leaders of your departure. In this article, we discuss what a short notice resignation letter is, how to write one and provide resignation letter templates and examples to help you write your own.

What is a short notice resignation letter?

A short notice resignation letter is a document provided to an individual’s employer that state’s intent to resign from their current position with anything less than two weeks’ notice. Most employers require at least two weeks’ notice so that they can have enough time to prepare for your departure and begin the hiring process. However, circumstances don’t always allow for sufficient notice and you may have to give a short notice resignation letter.

How to write a short notice resignation letter

If you want to maintain a positive relationship with the employer, you should take the following steps when writing a short notice reisgnation letter:

1. Tell your manager first.
2. Use the business letter format.
3. State the position you are resigning from and the effective date.
4. Explain why you are resigning.
5. Express gratitude.
6. Close with your signature.

1. Tell your manager first

If you are able, it is ideal to have a conversation with your manager in-person or via telephone before you submit your letter of resignation. This is a courteous and personal gesture to offer your manager and can help reduce feelings of animosity between you and your employer. It also provides you with an opportunity to discuss final pay, benefits and any other question you may have about leaving the company.

2. Use the business letter format

The short notice resignation letter is still considered a professional document that should follow the business letter format. This way, the content is easy to read and shows the professional effort you used in resigning. Using the business letter format includes using a header that states the recipient’s first and last name, position, address and the date you are submitting the letter.

3. State the position you are resigning from and the effective date

It is important to submit a statement of resignation early on in your short notice resignation letter. Writing your letter this way helps you to stay on topic and lets the receiver know the exact purpose of the letter. Make sure your effective resignation date is correct before you move on to the next portion of your letter.

4. Explain why you are resigning on short notice

Next, you should explain the reason why you are resigning on short notice if you have a reason. It is best practice to provide a short explanation about why you are leaving a company. Some reasons for short notice resignations are a family emergency, moving, a new job that requires you to start immediately, etc.

5. Express gratitude

Before you conclude your letter, you should consider thanking your employer for the opportunity and the skills you gained during your employment with them. You may mention specific projects you were grateful for being included in or provide thanks for the overall experience. A ‘thank you’ is much appreciated even if you were unsatisfied with aspects of your position.

6. Close with your signature

Lastly, it is important to sign your name on the document to conclude the short term resignation letter. If you are writing an email, it is important to write your name at the end of the email.

Template

Here is a short notice resignation template you may use to assist you with writing resignation letter:

[Date]

[Manager’s first and last name]
[Manager’s title]
[Company name]
[Full address]

Dear [Mr., Ms. or Mrs. Manager’s last name],

I am submitting my formal resignation effective [date] from my [position or title] at [company name]. I am resigning with short notice due to [reason] and I hope you accept my apologies for supplying this letter on short notice.

I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunities this company has provided me over the past [number of years worked] I’ve worked here.

I appreciate your understanding and I am willing to help with making this transition easier over the next few [days/week].

If you need to contact me after my departure, I am willing to chat via phone or email to help answer questions about my [work, current projects] to help the new hire get up to speed.

Sincerely,

[Signature]
[Your name]

[Position or title]

Short notice resignation letter examples

Here are a few situational examples of short notice resignation letters:

Example#1: New job

January 26, 2031

Ms. Kate Spinner
Store Manager
Farm Table Inc.
20345 Sunshine Ln
Elite, TN 10046

Dear Ms. Spinner,

Please accept this letter as my official resignation effective Monday, February 3rd. If I were able, I would have provided you with at least a two-week notice, however, I accepted a job offer for a position that begins immediately. I hope you accept my apologies for such short notice.

Thank you for providing me with this opportunity and helping me to develop new leadership strategies.

Please let me know if I can make this transition easier. I have started to compile notes on important projects I am not able to complete before my departure.

Sincerely,

June Tart

Example #2: Stress

May 15, 2031

Mr. Caleb Schuster
Supervisor
Sweet Water Windows
5555 New Address Ln
Minnow, NY

Dear Mr. Schuster,

Please consider this letter as my resignation from my position as the office manager at Sweet Water Windows. Unfortunately, due to the recent situations that have caused me considerable stress, I am not able to provide the required notice. My last day of employment with Sweet Water is Wednesday, May 19th. I apologize for the short notice but I have worked with HR to handle the issues that have caused my extreme stress, however, there hasn’t been any action taken to correct these issues. I have no choice but to leave.

I have enjoyed the good moments working with you and my colleagues, and have learned so much from your guidance. I am willing to help with the transition over the next few days before my departure.

Your understanding is greatly appreciated.

Best wishes,

Leslie Duran

Example #3: Personal reasons

December 8, 2031

Ms. Linda Rim
Manager
Sunglass Shack
1111 Tully ct
Lexington, KY

Dear Ms. Rim

Please accept this letter as my official resignation effective tomorrow.

I am resigning from the position of sales associate due to personal reasons. I appreciated my time spent working here and I have no ill-feelings towards this company or anyone who works here. I would have provided the required notice if I were able to.

Thank you for this opportunity and if I am able to return to this company one day, I hope that you will accept me back.

Please let me know if I can make this transition easier. I will be available by phone or email a few weeks after my departure to help out.

Sincerely,

Jessica Storm