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Is it time to resign from your job? Great. Let's help you write a professional resignation letter for personal reasons.
When you want to quit your job for personal reasons, it can be challenging to figure out how much you should share with your boss. Depending on your situation and professional relationship with your boss, you might be perfectly fine explaining in more detail why you're leaving. But other times the information is personal and you're uncomfortable sharing.
The good news is that you're under zero obligation to share anything you don't want to.
The bad news is that you still need to write a resignation letter. But it's okay because we will show you exactly what to say!
Writing a resignation letter is the best way to not burn bridges with your current company and end on a positive note. We think that's important because you never know when your career path might intersect with your former employer again.
Table of Contents
- When to Write a Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons
- Tips for Writing a Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons
- What to Include in Your Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons
- Resignation Letter Templates for Personal Reasons
- Short Resignation Letter Email Sample for Personal Reasons
When to Write a Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons
Several factors go into needing to leave your employer for "personal reasons."
Writing a resignation letter for personal reasons can be a deeply introspective and often challenging task—marking a significant transition in one's professional journey. Whether prompted by familial obligations, health concerns, or a desire for personal growth and self-discovery, resigning from a position for personal reasons requires careful consideration and reflection.
Let's delve into the complexities of such a decision, acknowledging the myriad factors that may result in a resignation.
Some examples include:
- You want your privacy.
- You're taking time to care for a family member.
- You're taking time to care for your own illness or sick family member.
- Choosing to be a full-time parent.
- You're dealing with a major life change.
- You're dealing with a personal family problem.
- You're prioritizing mental health and other health concerns.
- You hate your job with a fiery passion and just need to cut all ties.
In a standard resignation letter, your reason for leaving is usually because of another career opportunity or career change. In a “personal reason” resignation letter, your motivations for leaving the company are personal. That's the main difference that will help you know which letter is right for you.
Tips for Writing a Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons
Next, let's review some tips to keep top of mind when writing a resignation letter when you're resigning for personal reasons.
- Speak with your manager first. Ideally, this conversation will be followed up by a formal letter.
- After, speak with your human resources (HR) department. You can also follow up with them with a formal letter.
- Get clarity around unused time off that you will get paid for (such as vacation days) that you can include in your letter.
- Use a respectful and friendly tone in your meetings and in your letter.
- Keep your letter brief.
- Avoid using harsh language or venting.
- Edit and proofread your letter.
- Keep your letter professional, even if you’re not on the best terms with your employer.
- Keep a hard copy letter for your records.
- After submitting your letter, follow up with your employer to ensure they received it.
What to Include in Your Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons
Your resignation letter for personal reasons should include a few different items, no matter your job or industry. First, you'll want to ensure that you use the standard formal letter formatting. Within the letter itself, you'll want to include:
Your Resignation Statement
This is your direct notification that you are resigning from your current job. You will want to include the job title, company name, and your supervisor's name.
The Date of Your Final Day
It's always essential to include your last date of employment. We recommend providing adequate notice (at least two weeks' notice). This time between your resignation letter and your last day of work is your notice period.
Express Gratitude and Appreciation to Your Current Employer
Even if you hate your job and colleagues, you want to end things professionally and keep your dissatisfaction to yourself. From your resignation letter to your exit interview, use these opportunities to show appreciation for the skills and career growth opportunities you've gained in this role.
Explain Your Transition Plan
During your transition period, it will be helpful for your team members and manager to know your plan. How do you plan to offboard projects? Which projects will you complete before you go? How are you communicating your exit to clients? You might also offer to assist your team for up to a certain amount of time after you leave.
Resignation Letter Templates for Personal Reasons
Your name
Your address
Your city, state, and zip code
Your phone number (optional)
Your email address (optional)
Date
Supervisor's name and title
Name of company
Company address, city, and zip code
Dear [Supervisor's Name or HR Rep's Name]:
Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my role as [Position] as of [Date]. Due to personal issues, I am no longer able to continue my job responsibilities, and I believe it is in the best interest of both the company and myself that I vacate my position.
My last day will be [date of final working day].
I want to express my gratitude for the knowledge I’ve gained and the skills I have been able to develop in this role. It would not have been possible without your mentorship. I am thankful for the time I have spent working with every member of our team and the opportunity to develop great professional relationships here.
To ease the transition after my departure, I intend to complete all assigned work before my final day and leave thorough instructions for my replacement. I am happy to assist with any training during my last two weeks. If you have additional questions after my departure date, please feel free to contact me on my cell (xxx-xxx-xxxx) or by email at xxxxxx@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Your signature (hard copy only)
Your typed name
Your address
Your city, state, and zip code
Your phone number (optional)
Your email address (optional)
Date
Supervisor's name and title
Name of company
Company address, city, and zip code
Dear [Supervisor's Name or HR Rep's Name]:
Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my role as [Position] as of [Date]. Due to personal issues, I am no longer able to continue my job responsibilities, and I believe it is in the best interest of both the company and myself that I vacate my position.
My last day will be [date of final working day].
I want to express my gratitude for the knowledge I’ve gained and the skills I have been able to develop in this role. It would not have been possible without your mentorship. I am thankful for the time I have spent working with every member of our team and the opportunity to develop great professional relationships here.
To ease the transition after my departure, I intend to complete all assigned work before my final day and leave thorough instructions for my replacement. I am happy to assist with any training during my last two weeks. If you have additional questions after my departure date, please feel free to contact me on my cell (xxx-xxx-xxxx) or by email at xxxxxx@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Your signature (hard copy only)
Your typed name
Lexi Smith
123 Main Street
Denver, CO 80277
555-555-5555
lexismith@email.com
May 1, 2023
Jennifer Miller, Head of Accounts
Acme Company
123 Back Street
Denver, CO 80277
Dear Jennifer Miller,
Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my role as Project Manager on May 1, 2023. My departure is due to demanding personal reasons that I don't wish to share but require my full focus and attention.
My final day of work will be two weeks from the date of this letter (May 14, 2023).
I'm so grateful to have worked with a creative team these last five years and have learned so much. By far one of my greatest takeaways is learning about how project management fits into a company's overall strategy and getting to launch a new software program for the company. I'm grateful for your guidance and mentorship along the way.
To ensure this is a smooth transition, I will make sure all of my deadlines are completed before my departure, and I plan on working with my team to assign new people to my current clients and projects. Please let me know if there is anything else you'd like me to do.
You can always reach me at xxxxx@gmail.com if future questions pop up.
I wish you all the best in the future and will be cheering for Acme's success.
Sincerely,
Lexi Smith (signature)
Lexi Smith (typed)
123 Main Street
Denver, CO 80277
555-555-5555
lexismith@email.com
May 1, 2023
Jennifer Miller, Head of Accounts
Acme Company
123 Back Street
Denver, CO 80277
Dear Jennifer Miller,
Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from my role as Project Manager on May 1, 2023. My departure is due to demanding personal reasons that I don't wish to share but require my full focus and attention.
My final day of work will be two weeks from the date of this letter (May 14, 2023).
I'm so grateful to have worked with a creative team these last five years and have learned so much. By far one of my greatest takeaways is learning about how project management fits into a company's overall strategy and getting to launch a new software program for the company. I'm grateful for your guidance and mentorship along the way.
To ensure this is a smooth transition, I will make sure all of my deadlines are completed before my departure, and I plan on working with my team to assign new people to my current clients and projects. Please let me know if there is anything else you'd like me to do.
You can always reach me at xxxxx@gmail.com if future questions pop up.
I wish you all the best in the future and will be cheering for Acme's success.
Sincerely,
Lexi Smith (signature)
Lexi Smith (typed)
Short Resignation Letter Email Sample for Personal Reasons
Subject Line: Immediate Resignation: Your Name | Job Title | Date
Dear [Supervisor's Name or HR Rep's Name]:
Due to demanding personal problems that are beyond my control, I will be resigning immediately from my [job title] at [company] on [date]. My last day is today, [date].
I will do my best to ensure a smooth transition by offboarding all of my work and current projects to the current team. And I will remain available via email to answer any quick questions.
Thank you so much for your support during my time here, and I appreciate your understanding.
Despite the personal challenges I am navigating, I have really enjoyed my time working with you, and I'm grateful for your mentorship over the years. I hope we will be able to stay in touch, and I look forward to seeing how the company grows in the future.
Best,
Your Name
Email
Phone Number
Dear [Supervisor's Name or HR Rep's Name]:
Due to demanding personal problems that are beyond my control, I will be resigning immediately from my [job title] at [company] on [date]. My last day is today, [date].
I will do my best to ensure a smooth transition by offboarding all of my work and current projects to the current team. And I will remain available via email to answer any quick questions.
Thank you so much for your support during my time here, and I appreciate your understanding.
Despite the personal challenges I am navigating, I have really enjoyed my time working with you, and I'm grateful for your mentorship over the years. I hope we will be able to stay in touch, and I look forward to seeing how the company grows in the future.
Best,
Your Name
Phone Number
