How to give a formal 2 week notice

Founder, career coach and interview coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com. My goal is simple: to help people find jobs they LOVE.

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The wait is over. You landed a new job in the saturated job market—congrats! Now, you need to give two weeks’ notice to your supervisor.

What do you say when giving two weeks’ notice at work? What mistakes should you avoid when sharing your two weeks’ notice? How do you write a two weeks’ notice email to your supervisor? The following are three proven steps to effectively give your two weeks’ notice at work, as well as an example email.

1. Request a face-to-face meeting with your boss.

Avoid the mistake of sending your resignation email without first speaking with your supervisor face to face. Whenever possible, you want to first request a meeting so you can give your initial notice verbally to your supervisor. This face-to-face meeting can be through an in-person meeting or a videoconferencing meeting.

With this in mind, I am often asked if it is ever appropriate to resign solely via email or phone. While each job situation is unique, I most often recommend giving notice face to face before subsequently documenting your notice in writing via email.

2. Provide your boss with your two weeks’ notice.

When meeting with your supervisor, be prepared to provide a tentative end date. Keep in mind that some company policies dictate immediately dismissing employees upon receipt of their resignation notice. If this is the case at your organization, it will likely be documented in your employee manual or other onboarding documents. Additionally, consider partnering with your supervisor to develop a transition plan. This may involve migrating your key projects and day-to-day job duties to another colleague(s) as well as debriefing major stakeholders.

3. Follow your conversation with an email communicating your two weeks’ notice.

Finally, it is time to send an email that documents your two weeks’ notice in writing. I advise keeping your email short and to the point. You simply need to communicate three pieces of information: your gratitude, your notice with a tentative end date and your transition plan.

You may be asked why you are giving your notice. You are not required to tell your boss your new company name, job title or salary. Furthermore, you do not have to provide a reason as to why you are leaving your company.

Below is an example of what you can say in your email when giving two weeks’ notice:

Hi [Supervisor’s First Name],

Thank you for all of the experiences you have provided me over the years.

I am writing to provide my two weeks’ notice. My last date will be [end date].

I will work with A, B and C to transition my current projects.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to supporting [Company Name] during this transition period.

Kind regards,

Kyle

With these tips in hand, you are now prepared to give your two weeks’ notice with confidence. You’ve got this!

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Your two weeks’ notice is a way to professionally depart your current role and transition into your next career move. Employees give a two weeks’ notice in many different situations, including when they are changing roles, moving to another organization, or resigning for personal reasons. Your notice should include all the information your manager needs to find a replacement for your position. It is important to offer assistance during your transition and until your last day to leave on a professional note.

There’s a right and a wrong way to depart from your position. Giving your manager time to find a replacement is the professional thing. In this article, we’ll explain why giving your two weeks notice is important, and provide examples of how to write your notice with some customizable templates.

Two Weeks’ Notice Definition

Your two weeks’ notice should include your contact information, the reason for leaving, a thank you to your current employer, and any other information you’ll need to share to help the transition occur more smoothly. An example of this could be ongoing projects that your manager will need to transition to a different employee. You should submit your letter at least two weeks before your last day of work.  

Template for Writing a Two Weeks’ Notice Letter

Customize each of the templates listed below with the following details:

• Your name, address, contact information, and email 
• Your employer’s contact information 
• Greeting
• Statement and reason(s) for your resignation 
• Thank you
• Last day of work
• Your signature 

When writing your two weeks notice, however, it is important to avoid including issues you faced in your role. Jessica Hernandez, an executive resume writer and LinkedIn Top Voice: Job Search & Careers, goes deeper into this: 

“Moving on? When writing your resignation email, share that you’re leaving and that you’re grateful for the experience and opportunities. But don’t make the mistake of diving into any issues that may have prompted your move. If you feel compelled to share feedback opt to do so in a one-on-one conversation or an exit interview.”

Do You Have to Give Two Weeks’ Notice?

Yes, unless it is impossible given a unique situation or circumstance, such as a family emergency. 

What Happens If You Don’t Give a Two Weeks’ Notice?

If you choose not to give a two weeks’ notice, you could face frustration or anger from your co-workers or manager, and lose trust and a good reference from that employer.  

Examples of Two Weeks' Notice Letters

Remember that each of these templates is a starting point, and you should personalize your letter using your tone of voice and add information that may be useful for your manager. Below, we will break down templates for different scenarios, including:

• Accepting a position at another company
• Leaving to complete further education
• Departing for personal reasons

Accepting a Position at Another Company

You’ll need to inform your manager with tact and respect if you’re accepting a position at a different organization. Doing so ensures you leave on good terms and that you’ll receive a positive recommendation letter.

Leaving to Complete Further Education

Leaving to complete further education such as your MBA or doctorate can be a bittersweet decision, if you’ve developed lifelong skills in your current role. Start with the template below to inform your boss and leave on a good note.

Departing for Personal Reasons 

If you’re leaving for personal reasons and decide not to share the “why” for your departure, it is still important to notify your manager with a respectful two weeks’ notice such as in the example below.

What should a 2 week notice letter say?

Is it professional to email 2 weeks notice?

Can I just say my two weeks notice?

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