How to give notice for two weeks [+ 3 Examples]

Giving a two-week resignation is never easy, especially if you have a good relationship with your boss and co-workers or feel they have invested time and energy into your professional development.

If you’re wondering how to give a two-week notice period without damaging your relationship with your employer, you’re in luck. There are special steps you can take to ensure that you leave a good final impression with your current employer.

Leave the current company respectfully and thoughtfully can provide better long-term connections and references – and even if you change industries, you never know who might be helping you along the way. Besides, it’s a polite thing to do.

Here we will explore the best way to give two weeks notice to maintain a positive relationship with your old employer while ensuring a smooth transition to your next role.

What did the two weeks notice?

A two-week notice is when you tell your current employer that you will be leaving the company in two weeks. This is a standard method of resignation that can help you leave the company in a good relationship.

However, it should be remembered that if your employment contract or union contract clearly states how much notice period you must give before termination, follow this agreement. Otherwise, a two-week notice period is usually accepted.

In the case of the latter, if your employee requires you to stay longer than two weeks, you can do so, but you are not obliged to, unless your employment contract provides otherwise.

How to give two weeks notice

Although it can inform you of a two-week notice period, it can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Remember, your resignation is simple. You may feel that you need to disclose all the details of your decision to resign, but you are not required to provide additional information to your manager. All they need to know are the main points of interest that apply to the company itself.

In addition to making the conversation easy, follow these six steps to make your resignation easier for both you and your employer.

Step One: Arrange a face-to-face meeting with your boss.

Once you have officially signed a contract with your new employer and know the start date, you are ready to give a two-week notice period. The first thing you will want to do is write a resignation letter (suggestions and samples can be found here).

Once you have the letter in hand, send an email or leave your manager and set a time for the meeting. Say something like, “Hi, I’d like to talk to you about something. Do you have thirty minutes in the next few days?”

Avoid informing colleagues of your departure until you have talked to your manager. Even if you have a best friend at work, it is crucial that your manager hears the news from you. If the news is first heard by other employees, it means a lack of trust and respect and can damage a relationship in which you have put a lot of effort.

Step Two: Offer a transition strategy during the meeting.

When you sit down with your leader, be concise and clear. Stupidity or long speech will only make the conversation more awkward.

Say something like, “I wanted to meet with you today to let you know that I was offered a job at another company, and this is an opportunity I can’t miss. I’m giving you two weeks’ notice. I want to know that it was not an easy decision, and I am so grateful for the guidance and growth opportunities you have given me. “

It’s important not to focus on the exciting opportunities of your new role. During this meeting, your main goal should be to express a level of gratitude and appreciation for all that your leader has done to help you grow.

In addition, it will help alleviate the stress of losing your leader if you are prepared for the tangible actions you plan to take to help with the transition. For example, you could say something like, “I’ve been planning to help you find a replacement for the last two weeks,” or “I’m going to create a guide to help the next person take over my current projects.”

Finally, hand over the letter of resignation. With the letter, your two-week cancellation will be official.

Step Three: Prepare for a counter-offer.

You don’t want to be caught all of a sudden if your manager suddenly tells you they’re going to raise your salary or move you to another role on another team if you agree to stay. Before you meet with your manager, consider how you will react if he makes a counter-offer.

Take some time to think about why you are leaving your current role and what your next role brings you. If there are certain circumstances in which you would stay in your current company, explain them to your manager and stay only if you can get these special promises in writing.

Of course, this may be impossible if you have already signed a contract with a new employer. And even if you only accepted the offer orally, consideration is likely to burn bridges with your new business, so you’ll want to think carefully about your reputation before you do.

Ideally, if there are certain circumstances that could greatly improve your satisfaction in your current role, it is better to contact your manager with these requirements before signing a new contract. You can explain that if these needs are not met, you will start thinking about other opportunities.

Step 4: Learn the details of the benefits.

It is important to know your options in terms of benefits, health insurance, pensions and 401 (K). Transferring benefits or healthcare from one company to another can be confusing. In addition, your new business may not be ready to offer new coverage right away.

If this is true, you have alternative options – for example, if you are facing a health insurance gap, COBRA allows you to continue your existing health insurance for 18 months, at your own expense.

Look “What happens to your benefits when you leave work“by Northwestern Mutual to find out more about your options.

Step 5: Don’t check out – work just as hard in the last two weeks.

After leaving, it will be impossible to maintain a positive relationship with your employer if you check out in the last two weeks and make minimal effort. First, your employer still pays you, so they deserve your best effort. Second, the effort you put into your role now will go a long way toward maintaining better connections along the way.

Colleagues will remember what you were like in the end. Give them something good to remember. You never know how your positive reputation can help you connect in the long run.

You will want to work hard to bind the loose ends and make it easier for the next person to take your place. For example, you might create a document so that your team members know where certain files are or where you ended up with the project.

In addition, you will still want to arrive on time (if not early), leave at the right time, and remain a team player. If other members of your team are late to complete a project ahead of schedule, so should you.

Step Six: Offer a warm and cordial farewell.

In today’s business world, it all depends on who you know. You never know whether a colleague on your team will end up helping your younger brother get a job or become a self-employed person in your new business in a few years. Nurturing these relationships is key to ensuring success throughout your career.

Examples of notice for two weeks

When you step down, it can be hard to find the right words, so if you need a little guidance, here are some examples of a two-week notice to consider:

1. Hard copy

May 2, 2022

John Smith

Regional leader

Company XYZ

Laura Street 456

Jacksonville, Florida

Dear Mr. Smith,

I, Jane Doe, would like to inform you that I am resigning from the position of Assistant Regional Director at XYZ, which will take effect two weeks after that date. My last day will be May 16, 2022.

The last ten years at this company have been incredibly rewarding. I have enjoyed working for you and I am grateful to have been part of an exceptional team that has experienced so much growth and success over the years. Thank you for the amazing opportunities you have given me.

I will perform all my tasks with the utmost care and detail until the last day. Let me know if I can do something to make the transition as smooth as possible.

I wish you and the company all the best.

with respect,

Signature (letter in printed form)

Jane Doe

jane.doe@gmail.com

2. Email

Subject: Letter of resignation – Jane Doe (Assistant Regional Director)

Dear Mr. Smith,

Please accept this as my official resignation from the position of Assistant Regional Director at XYZ. My last day will be May 16, 2022, two weeks from today.

My time in the company has been very rewarding and I am grateful to have been part of such an exceptional team of marketers. Thank you for the amazing opportunities you have given me.

In the meantime, I will be carrying out all my duties as Assistant Regional Director until the last day. Please tell me what I can do to make this transition as smooth as possible for you and the team.

I wish you and the company all the best.

Kind regards,

Jane Doe

jane.doe@gmail.com

3. To indicate where you are next

Dear Mr. Smith,

I would like to inform you that I am resigning from the position of Assistant Regional Director at XYZ. My last day will be May 16, 2022, two weeks from today.

My time in the company has been very rewarding and I am grateful to have been part of such an exceptional team of marketers. Thank you for the amazing opportunities you have given me.

I am leaving the company to pursue a master’s degree at New York University and be closer to my family.

In the meantime, I will be carrying out all my duties as Assistant Regional Director until the last day. Please tell me what I can do to make this transition as smooth as possible for you and the team.

I wish you and the company all the best.

Kind regards,

Jane Doe

jane.doe@gmail.com

When the day comes when you have to say goodbye, take your time and send thoughtful farewell messages to your colleagues. You can even send a farewell email to the team.

However, you can also consider writing a handwritten note or customized email to members of your team with whom you feel particularly close. Warmly wish them all the best and provide them with contact information such as an email or LinkedIn account so you can stay in touch.