The employment sector is constantly changing, and to cope with the dynamic, you may want to return to school for several reasons. You may want to further your education, change your career, or improve your expertise. Some students also start working during their summer vacation and need to resign when they have to concentrate on their coursework. Whatever your reason, you will need to resign from your place of work using a resignation letter.
In the letter, you need to state why you are resigning. You may not know how to write it or need guidance on what to include. This article will help you by providing tips and tricks on how to write an effective letter.
In addition to this, this article also discusses the following:
- What is a resignation letter?
- Its importance.
- Information you should include in it.
- What you should not include in your letter.
Going Back to School Resignation Letter
A back-to-school resignation letter is a formal document that an employee submits to their employer informing them of their intention to resign to further their education. It should contain information on why you are leaving and when you will stop working. You may include reasons like transitioning into another career or improving your academic qualifications in your field. Typically, these letters should be sent at least two weeks before the date you will stop working.
Why is it important?
First, such letters are considered a professional courtesy. By sending it, you let the employer know why you are leaving and when you will leave. The information you provide helps the employer understand how much work to assign you for the remainder of your employment. The notice period also allows the employer to plan and issue advertisements for interviews to fill your position.
Second, these letters promote the termination of employment on good terms. Most educational programs may request a letter of recommendation from your employer; if you have a decent relationship with them, you are more likely to get a good recommendation. Further, you may help your employer help a new employee transition smoothly into your position.
7 Steps to Writing a Going Back to School Resignation Letter
It should be comprehensive. It should provide your employer with the necessary information so that they can prepare for your departure.
You can follow the following steps when writing it:
Step 1: State your intention
It would be appropriate to mention that you are writing to resign from your position. You should also specify the job position from which you will be resigning. You do not have to provide a detailed description. A brief and concise explanation will suffice. From the first paragraph, you should maintain a positive tone.
EXAMPLE
“Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from the sales manager position at Bloomfield Sales Agency.”
Step 2: Specify your last day at work
Once you have stated your intention to leave, you must state the last day you will work. While most employers require a two-week notice, it is recommended that you refer to your contract to be sure. In addition, there may be other stipulations you need to fulfill. You may also need more time, depending on when you start your classes and whether you need to relocate from your area to a place closer to your school. You may also schedule your last day of work to be after you have completed your assigned tasks. This information should be included in your first paragraph.
EXAMPLE
“Following the terms of my employment contract, my last day of work shall be May 14, 2022.”
Step 3: Explain your decision
When writing it, you need to mention your decision to resign. You do not have to provide details, but you can mention them if you have a friendly relationship with your employer. However, you should do it as a courtesy to your employer. You may also briefly describe the contribution education will make to your life.
EXAMPLE
“I have decided to temporarily cease employment to pursue my studies full-time as I am nearing the technical part of my course. I would have loved to continue working, but I am afraid it would be difficult to complete my duties to the best of my ability.”
Step 4: Describe your future education
You may describe your aspirations for the program you will be undertaking. It will help your employer understand your reasons for taking the course. If you are friendly with your employer, you may discuss your goals for the program with them. Sometimes, your employer may remain in contact and offer you employment in the future. Further, your employer may better understand your motivation for the program.
EXAMPLE
“The Master’s program will be instrumental in my career goals as I intend to transition into other areas of business and marketing. I hope to become a business consultant at the end of the program. Along with other benefits, the program may allow me to work part-time at the school as a professor’s assistant. In addition, I believe I will gain more hands-on experience as a student.”
Step 5: Reflect on your past
As part of leaving the job on a positive note, reflecting on your progress as part of the company or organization is essential. You may mention the highlights of your career as part of the team. You can also mention the contribution the company has made to your life.
EXAMPLE
“As a sales manager, I appreciate the growth I have experienced at Bloomfield Sales Agency. I have gained unique experience in customer service and practical skills in handling customers. Further, I know how to work in a team and continuously improve my skills.”
Step 6: Express your gratitude
Once you give your reasons for leaving, you should appreciate that you were allowed to work at the company. The appreciation promotes good rapport and ensures you cease your employment on favorable terms. Therefore, this part of your letter should be brief and sincere.
EXAMPLE
“I have enjoyed working in this company, especially because I had the opportunity to rise through the ranks from being an intern. In addition, I have appreciated the vibrant work environment and the opportunities to explore my interest in sales and marketing.”
Step 7: Offer your assistance
Since every position has a job description, your employer may need assistance in planning the induction of a new employee into your position. You should offer to assist in the transition by providing information on the pending tasks. You may also offer to train the new employee on the tasks you have been handling.
EXAMPLE
“I am available to assist in training a replacement if you require my help. I shall also be glad to offer guidance concerning my position.”
Template
[Your Full Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Manager’s Full Name]
[Manager’s Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Subject: Resignation – [Your Full Name]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to formally announce my resignation from my position as [Your Job Title] with [Company Name], effective [Last Working Day, typically two weeks from the date of the letter]. After much consideration, I have decided to pursue further education to advance my career and achieve my long-term goals. This decision has not come easily, but I believe it is a necessary step for my personal and professional growth.
I want to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunities I have been afforded during my time with [Company Name]. Working here has been a significant part of my career, and the experiences I’ve gained and the relationships I’ve built have been invaluable. I am particularly thankful for the support and guidance from you and my colleagues, which have contributed greatly to my development.
During my remaining time, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition. I am happy to assist in training my replacement or transferring my responsibilities to other team members as needed. Please let me know how I can best support the team during this period.
I hope to maintain our professional relationship and stay in touch in the future. Thank you again for the opportunity to be a part of [Company Name]. I look forward to seeing the company continue to succeed and hope to possibly cross paths professionally in the future.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature (if sending a hard copy)]
[Your Printed Name]
Sample of a Back-to-School Resignation Letter
Subject: Resignation – Samantha Lee
Dear Mr. Myers,
I am writing to formally submit my resignation from my position as Junior Graphic Designer with Creative Solutions Ltd., with my last day being April 18, 20XX, allowing for a two-week notice period.
This decision comes after much reflection on my personal and professional aspirations. I have decided to return to full-time education to pursue a Master’s Degree in Visual Communication, a step I believe is crucial for my career advancement and personal growth. This challenging decision is driven by my commitment to enhancing my skills and knowledge, enabling me to contribute more significantly to our field in the future.
I cannot express enough gratitude for the invaluable experiences and opportunities I have been given at Creative Solutions Ltd. Working under your mentorship and alongside such a talented team has profoundly shaped my professional outlook and honed my design skills. I am especially thankful for the support and encouragement I’ve received in pursuing my creative ideas and for the flexibility that allowed me to begin my preliminary studies.
I am fully committed to ensuring a smooth transition of my responsibilities and am willing to train my successor or assist in the process in any way possible during my remaining time. I hope to leave my projects in a good state and assist the team in adjusting to this change without inconvenience.
Please let me know how best I can facilitate a seamless transition or if there are specific tasks you would like me to prioritize in my final weeks. I hope to maintain our professional connections and look forward to the possibility of our paths crossing again in the future.
Thank you once again for the opportunity to be a part of Creative Solutions Ltd. I am excited about this next phase of my life and grateful for the foundation my experience here has provided me.
Sincerely,
Samantha Lee
Free Templates
Best Practices to Consider
Standard letters of resignation contain basic information, such as your last day of work and reasons for leaving. Effective letters, however, should be comprehensive and easy to understand.
You can use the following tips to prepare it effectively:
Follow the 3 C’s
The three C’s you should follow for writing it are; clear, crisp, and concise. Your letter should not provide unnecessary information. You should mention your reason for resignation, the course you will take, and the institution you will be at. Extra information may make it lengthy and tedious.
Make it memorable
As stated before, the letter is to express your intention to resign. Therefore, avoid giving other reasons besides educational purposes. Further, you should maintain a professional tone throughout the letter. Any grievances you have can be mentioned in another forum.
Keep it unemotional
When writing it, avoid using emotional language. Instead, the letter should remain professional and formal. Also, avoid personal examples that add no value to it.
Proofread and edit
Once you finish writing your letter, proofread it and edit any mistakes you identify. It is essential to avoid grammatical and substantial errors like indicating the wrong date, which might expose you to liability. Spelling errors may also make you appear careless.
Things to Avoid
Resignation letters form part of your employment record. Therefore, they may be referred to in the future when you need a recommendation from your previous employer. As such, there are some practices you should avoid when writing it.
EXAMPLE
- You must avoid using negative language in your letter. However, the resignation process is formal, and you should consider using other appropriate channels to express dissatisfaction.
- You should send your letter through formal channels, not social media or text. Such methods appear unprofessional.
- You should avoid giving too many details about your resignation, as your letter may be shared among personnel in other departments.
- When offering assistance, do not make unrealistic promises to complete tasks that you know you cannot complete within the notice period you have given.
- You should avoid suggesting a specific person replace you, as you might favor an employee over others.
- Since you should leave on good terms, avoid leaving negative reviews for your colleagues and superiors.
- Avoid asking about your final dues when writing your letter, as the information is available in your contract.
Bottom Line
Your resignation letter may be the last document in your employee file when you intend to rejoin the school. Therefore, it may contribute to your conduct as an employee for the person needing to review your file. As such, you should ensure that you provide the correct information. In addition, in some cases, the letter serves as your notice of resignation. Therefore, it should comply with the terms of your employment contract.
When writing your letter, be positive and professional, and avoid using vocabulary and superfluous words, as they do not add value. You must address the correct recipient, especially if there is a strict termination process. Where there is a standard format for such documents, ensure you adhere to it.
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