
How to Write a Cover Letter for Any Job in 8 Steps (2023)
So you need a cover letter. Where do you start? How long should it be? Do yourself a favor: follow our guide on how to write the best cover letter the recruiter has ever seen.
Peace out, I quit. It’s time to move on. Whether you hate your boss or not, you need to know how to quit a job gracefully. Stop the burning bridge with this fast guide to quitting.
It’s not working anymore. It’s time to move on.
Wondering how to quit your job, but keep the relationships? We’ve collected the best practices for telling your boss you’d like to quit, covering various scenarios (yes, even the one where you really hated it, but would like to resolve the situation as gracefully as possible).
This guide will show you:
And when you resign, you’ll need a resume—
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Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume samples here.
Here’s how to quit a job gracefully:
1
“Why are you quitting?”
“Why did you leave your last job?”
“Yikes! I made a mistake!”
You may face those questions when quitting a job. The first are from employers. The last is from yourself.
Before you quit, make sure it’s for the right reasons.
Then tell the best one to present and future boss:
Pro Tip: Look before you leap, then—don’t leap! Have a better offer in hand before you quit. You’ll save 3–6 months of unemployment and job search stress.
Working up to a career change? We’ve got a resume guide for that: Career Change Resume: Sample and Complete Guide
2
Don’t goof!
Don’t tell coworkers you’re quitting before you tell your boss.
And saying, “Don’t tell anyone I told you,” doesn’t work.
Why not?
Because they’ll tell that to everyone they tell.
And soon everyone will know.
So—
Mum’s the word until you’ve had “the talk.”
Pro Tip: Did someone find out you’re quitting? Don’t panic. Tell your boss fast before he finds out through the grapevine.
Need to find another job but fast? See our guide: 30 Best Job Search Sites & How to Use Them to Find Employment Fast
3
“Don’t hire her.”
You don’t want your ex-boss saying that to future prospects.
So—
Don’t quit by phone or email!
Quitting in person can make you clammy.
But it’s the only way to do it right.
Need an example of what to say when quitting a job? Here you go:
Here’s a sample script for how to tell your boss you’re leaving:
You: Hi Tim, thank you for meeting with me.
Boss: Sure. What’s on your mind?
You: Well, I’m planning to give my two week’s notice tomorrow.
Boss: Oh no! What’s going on?
You: Well, I’ve had some great opportunities here. You’re the kindest boss I’ve ever had, but I’ve found another job that pays more and fits better with my career goals. I’ve already accepted the offer.
Boss: I’m so sorry to hear that. Is there anything we can do to change your mind?
You: My mind is made up, but working here has been such a great opportunity for me. Not only did it pay the bills, but I learned a ton about content marketing...
That’s how to tell your boss you quit.
Be polite, but firm. Don’t go into detail on why the job is terrible, who you hated working with, or why the pay stinks.
Do not quit a job by email. You can send your letter of resignation in an email after you resign in person. But quitting a job in an email is classless and unprofessional. When writing a 2-week notice email, be polite, professional, and complimentary.
Do not quit a job by phone. Unless you work remotely, quit in person. If you do work remotely, be polite and professional. Mention a few things you loved about the job. Then give a concrete reason why you have to quit.
Pro Tip: What if they make a counteroffer when you quit? Be ready for what you’ll say. Would more money fix the problem? If so, maybe you should ask for a raise first.
Wondering how to quit a job you hate? Do you need to quit? Are there alternatives? See our guide: I Hate My Job. I Hate My Boss. Here's What to Do *Now*
4
How much notice should you give?
At least two weeks.
Anything less will burn the bridge.
Anything more will fireproof it.
Why?
Because even if your boss says, “Two weeks is plenty,” he’ll be grateful for the offer.
Here’s an example of what to say when you quit your job with more than two weeks notice:
I know we’re in the middle of a big project. The timing is terrible. I don’t want to hurt the department. I’m giving two months’ notice to make this a smooth transition.
That’s great.
Your boss won’t soon forget that. If you ever need anything, you’re in.
It’s not good to quit a job you just started. If you must, do it in person, and have a good reason ready. Stay positive. Don’t trash-talk the position. Say what you loved about it, but give a reason for quitting that’s beyond your control.
If you must quit your job without notice, do it in person. Tell your boss you’ll be leaving immediately. If the reason is a serious medical emergency or major life event, explain it. Otherwise, skip the details and just say you have to leave.
Pro Tip: Need to know how to quit a job without 2 weeks’ notice? If there’s any way to stay the extra time, do it. Only quit immediately if you can’t find another way.
Before quitting a job, get your LinkedIn profile up to snuff. See our guide: 99 LinkedIn Profile Tips: Background Photo, Headline, Summary & More
5
What do you say in a letter of resignation?
You don’t want to blow this.
Do it wrong and you could hurt your future self.
Do it right and they’ll remember you—fondly. If you ever need your job back (or a reference) you’ll be set.
This sample resignation letter does it right:
Dear Ms. Clemson,
I’m writing to tell you I’m resigning from Appity Worldwide, effective one month from today.
This decision wasn’t easy. The last three years have grown my skills and talents and opened up a world of opportunity.
Thank you for your kind guidance as I grew into this role. I foresee a bright future for the company. Please let me know anything I can do to ensure a smooth transition.
Best regards,
Tim Veillieux
See that?
Your boss will be so sad to see you go. If you need help in the future, ask and you’ll receive.
Pro Tip: What if you hate your job? Do you still have to say something nice? No. But you’ll burn less bridges if you do. Don’t peace out in a snit.
Want to quit your job with the best 2-weeks notice letter you can? See our guide: Letter of Resignation: Sample Two Weeks Notice Letter to Quit in Style
6
“We’d hire her back in a heartbeat.”
You want your employer to say that.
So—
Make the shift as smooth as silk.
Here’s how:
Do that, and your boss will give you a reference that makes you look like solid gold.
Pro Tip: Always ask for a reference when you quit your job. Give it a few days before you ask. If you haven’t left your employer holding the bag, she should be happy to do it.
Job hunting? You might need to write a “Letter of Interest” before you quit. See our guide: How to Write a Letter of Interest [Complete Guide & 15+ Examples]
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
7
Help your career.
Write a goodbye email to coworkers to show respect.
It’s also great networking.
Here’s how to write a farewell email they’ll remember:
Here’s a sample goodbye email to coworkers:
Dear Karen,
As you know, I’m leaving my position here at Roff & Hedinger. My last day is July 15th.
I’m excited for the future, but I wanted to tell you how much I’ve valued working with you.
Without your skills and insights, the team would never have achieved 3.5 million readers per month. You really helped me turn my so-so skill set into something I am proud of.
I’d love to keep in touch. Here’s my contact info...
That’s magic.
They’ll remember you in a good way—and that’s good for your career!
Pro Tip: Ask for references from a few key coworkers. If you can’t get a reference from the boss, a recommendation from an influential team member can help.
Need more tips to write a good email you can send to coworkers before you quit? See our guide: Goodbye Email to Coworkers Sample & Why You Need It
8
“I want to warn you about your new employee.”
Wow. Nightmare, right?
But it can happen—especially if you diss your old employer.
So—
Don’t talk negatively:
Why not?
Because negative talk makes you look negative. Even if you’re fully justified, you’ll make them doubt you.
Use these examples of what to say when you quit instead of trash-talking:
Perfect.
All those people will think, “Wow, she’s such a good person.” And that’s the goal, right? Even if you hate your job!
Pro Tip: Wondering how to quit your job and travel? Save money first, and vacation days. Stay with locals. And pick safe countries with a low cost of living.
Beware the resume gap if you’re quitting your job to travel! Plug gaps with our guide: How to Explain Gaps in Employment in a Resume/Cover Letter/Interview
9
This will get you.
If you don’t sew up the details, you will wish you had.
When you quit your job, make sure to handle:
Take care of all the little things before you quit. Don’t give yourself one more headache than you need.
Pro Tip: Will you need access to any files after you go? Consider making copies in case you get locked out. But make sure that doesn’t break the law.
Should you have a personal website before quitting a job? You should. See our guide: How to Make a Personal Website That Helps You Find a Job ❰Tutorial❱
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Here’s how to quit a job gracefully:
Still not sure how to quit your job? What scares you most? Did you write a really great resignation letter that you’d like to share with us? Leave a comment! We’d be happy to reply!
So you need a cover letter. Where do you start? How long should it be? Do yourself a favor: follow our guide on how to write the best cover letter the recruiter has ever seen.
The best resume templates aren't just about fancy looks. They have to be sleek and professional. Their layout needs to show off your value. Here's what'll help.
Thanks, but no thanks. You’ve got a better offer. How to tell the hiring team without stepping on toes? Use this guide for how to decline a job offer gracefully (with examples).