A two weeks’ notice letter informs your employer of your upcoming departure, giving them time to prepare for the transition. In the UK, providing written notice at work isn’t mandatory unless otherwise specified, but you must give a verbal one a week in advance if you’ve worked at a job for a month.
In this article, we will teach you what the standard two weeks’ notice letter format is, how to write an effective one, and what mistakes to avoid to leave a good last impression. Furthermore, we’ll provide you with useful examples and a template you can use for your notice at work.
Key Takeaways
A two weeks’ notice letter prepares your employer for your departure and ensures you maintain good professional relationships.
It should always contain a clearly expressed intention, the last working day before your resignation, and an offer to help with the transition.
You should avoid making grammatical mistakes and typos, oversharing, being vague, using an overly formal or familiar tone, and including inappropriate comments, in your two weeks’ notice letter.
What Is a Two Weeks’ Notice Letter, and Why Does It Matter?
A two weeks’ notice letter is a formal resignation letter, submitted to your employer when you want to end your professional relationship on a positive note. Some workplaces require a two weeks’ notice upon resignation, while others don’t, but still consider it a polite and professional gesture.
Also, it gives you a chance to express your gratitude and state your reason for leaving. However, keep in mind that a two weeks’ notice letter is not a good place for venting your frustrations; you want to go on good terms, not burn bridges with your former superiors.
How to Write a Two Weeks’ Notice Letter in 5 Steps
To write an effective two weeks’ notice letter, you should keep it professional and concise, state your intention clearly, thank your employer, offer to assist with the transition, and maintain a positive and polite tone.
Now, let’s see how to resign professionally in more detail:
#1. Keep It Professional and Concise
A two weeks’ notice letter shouldn’t be long or go into exhaustive details about your reasons for leaving a job. In fact, two paragraphs are ideal, but you can also write only one if you don’t want to elaborate on your departure.
The idea is that when your supervisor looks at the letter, they immediately understand its purpose and see the most important information. As a result, you should keep your letter filler-free, professional, and straightforward.
Here’s a simple example to illustrate this:
Two Weeks’ Notice Letter Example
23rd Sep 2024 John Smith XYZ Company London, UK Dear Mr Smith Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from the Graphic Designer position at XYZ Company. My last day will be the 7th October, 2024, two weeks from now. I appreciate the time I’ve spent with this team and thank you for all the support you’ve given me over the years. Please don’t hesitate to let me know how I can assist with the transition period over the next two weeks
Sincerely,
Jamie Locker
#2. State Your Intention Clearly
Your intention (resignation) should be clearly expressed in the first paragraph of the letter, along with your last working day. In fact, most two weeks’ notices begin with the intention and then ease into gratitude, reasons for leaving, and other content.
Remember, you can’t use ambiguous language when expressing your intention; you must sound sure of your decision and the details surrounding it.
For instance, consider this example:
Vague Intention Example
Dear Mr Smith, I’ve given a lot of thought to my Graphic Designer position, and I believe it’s time for a change.
As you can see, the employee doesn’t state outright what they intend to do, preferring instead to use the word “change.” This can mean many things, and while the employer might understand it’s a resignation, they’ll still likely have to clarify.
So, it’s better to use this opening, which leaves no ambiguity:
Clear Intention Example
Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from the Graphic Designer position at XYZ Company. My last day will be the 7th October, 2024, two weeks from now.
#3. Thank Your Employer
The next part of your two weeks’ notice letter should be an expression of gratitude to your employer for the support and opportunities they’ve provided.
Generally speaking, this part is optional, so you can choose not to include it. However, it’s recommended to write a sentence or two and end your professional relationship on a positive note.
So, you can write something like this:
Thanking Your Employer Example
I appreciate the support and experiences I have gained while working in this team under your supervision. It has been a pleasure, and I hope we get an opportunity to cooperate again in the future.
#4. Offer to Assist With the Transition
An offer to assist with the transition serves as a genuine gesture and a polite acknowledgment of the potential issues your departure might cause. So, it’s standard practice to include it at the end of a two weeks’ notice letter, even when you’re not particularly eager to take on extra responsibility.
Here’s how you can do that:
Offering to Assist Example
Please let me know how I can help make this transition as smooth as possible.
#5. Maintain a Positive and Polite Tone
Even if your experience with the company has been negative overall, a two weeks’ notice letter isn’t a place to express that. Quite the contrary, this document should aim to paint you in a positive light and maintain your professional network.
After all, an unprofessional two weeks’ notice letter can impact your future job prospects, especially if you plan to work in the same industry. Rumours travel fast, and you don’t want your potential employers to hesitate to hire you because of your “difficult” reputation.
So, this is what you should avoid saying in your resignation letter:
What to Avoid in a Resignation Letter
“I’m leaving because my manager is annoying, stubborn, and impossible to work with.”
“This company is a sinking ship, and I won’t spend another minute on it.”
“If you don’t give me a raise in a week, I’m leaving.”
“I’m leaving. Don’t contact me.”
Two Weeks’ Notice Letter Examples
Our two weeks’ notice letter examples will illustrate the writing tips we shared and serve as inspiration when you’re writing your own.
Here are three sample resignation letters in different formats:
Example 1 – Formal Resignation Letter
23rd Aug 2025 Anna Joy ABC Company London UK Dear Ms Joy Please accept this letter as formal notice of my resignation from the Marketing Specialist position at ABC Company, effective on the 6th September, 2025. This was not an easy decision, as I have valued the time spent in your company and the opportunities you and your team have provided me. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen personal circumstances, I will not be able to continue working with you and helping the company thrive. Please let me know if I can provide any assistance during this transition period, and don’t hesitate to contact me in the future. I hope we can stay in touch. Sincerely, Jonathan Milton
Example 2 – Friendly/Short Resignation Letter
17th July 2025 Sofia Bennett ABC Company London, UK Dear Sofia, I’m writing to let you know that I will be resigning from the Content Writer role at ABC Company in two weeks. My final working day will be the 31st July, 2025. I’ve enjoyed being part of the team and am grateful for everything I’ve learned from you. Thank you for your support and encouragement; they meant a lot to my professional development. I am planning to finish all the tasks I have left, but please don’t hesitate to ask for any other help during this transition period. I hope we can stay in touch. Best, Laura
Example 3 – Email Resignation Example
Subject: Resignation – Kim Johnson Dear Mr Conrad, Please accept this as a formal resignation from my position as a financial advisor at the 123Company. My last day will be the 11th November, 2024, i.e. two weeks from today. I appreciate your valuable support and feedback during my time in the company and hope we can work together again in the future. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to make this transition as smooth as possible. I wish you all the best. Sincerely, Kim Johnson
If you need extra help writing your two weeks’ notice, here is a resignation letter template for UK jobs, where you just need to enter your details in the empty slots:
Two Weeks’ Notice Letter Template
[Date] [Your Supervisor’s Full Name] [Company Name] [Company Address] (can be the full address) Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs [Your Supervisor’s Name or Preferred Title] Please accept this as a formal resignation from my position as a [Your Job Title] at the [Company Name]. My last day will be [Date of Your Departure], two weeks from now. I appreciate your support and the valuable experiences I have gained working in this company. It has been a pleasure collaborating with your team. Don’t hesitate to let me know how I can assist in this transition period to make it as smooth as possible. I hope we stay in touch and cooperate in the future. Sincerely, [Your Name]
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Notice Letter
Mistakes to avoid when writing your notice letter typically relate to the content, tone, or style of the document. Here are some of the most common ones you should pay attention to:
Notice Letter Mistakes
Spelling and grammar mistakes. A two weeks’ notice letter may be just a formality, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention to how it’s written. Proofread it before submitting to ensure there are no glaring errors and typos.
Oversharing. If you decide to include the reason for your departure, keep it brief and vague; there’s no reason to go into details. This is especially true for highly personal reasons; employers shouldn’t have to read about your divorce in a professional document.
Overly formal language or excessively friendly tone. Your tone should be professional but natural, similar to other types of work-related communication. Overly courteous phrases may end up sounding awkward or insincere, while excessive familiarity comes across as unserious.
Vague statements. It’s crucial to state your intention clearly, but it’s equally important to be straightforward in other parts of your letter, too. For instance, the date of your departure mustn’t be ambiguous; your employer should know how much time they have to prepare for your leaving.
Inappropriate comments. Passive-aggression, hostility, insults, and complaints aren’t welcome in a two weeks’ notice letter, even if they are well-deserved. You can air your grievances during an exit interview, but keep the worst of it to yourself, or you risk not getting a character reference letter.
Build a Compelling CV Within Minutes
Whether you need tips about writing two weeks’ notices or advice on creating applications, CV.co has all the necessary resources. Most importantly, you can use our CV writing service to create a professional document within 15 minutes and secure a job of your dreams.
Final Thoughts
Two weeks’ notice letters are short and fairly simple to write, but you may still struggle if you don’t know where to begin and what to include. Luckily, with our help, that should no longer be a problem; just follow our advice, stay professional, and remember to leave a good impression.
Two Weeks’ Notice Letter FAQ
#1. Is it okay to give a two weeks' notice by email?
It is okay to give a two weeks’ notice by email; in fact, it’s common practice nowadays when many employees work from home and don’t meet their supervisors in person. Simply follow the rules for writing a regular notice, and you can’t go wrong.
#2. Do I legally have to give two weeks’ notice in the UK?
You don’t have to legally give two weeks’ notice in the UK, but your contract might still require it, depending on the company. It’s worth noting that handing in a week's notice might be more common, although it doesn’t necessarily have to be written.
#3. What if my contract requires more than two weeks’ notice?
If your contract requires more than two weeks’ notice, but you need to resign faster than that, discuss your situation with your employer. See if there’s a way to reach a compromise; many employers are willing to make exceptions for employees who communicate openly.
