How to resign after accepting a job offer

Check your contract before you say anything

Before you speak to your manager, read your employment contract. Look for three things: your required notice period, any garden leave clause, and any non-compete or non-solicitation terms. Acting without checking these can cost you money or create legal problems.

Notice periods vary by country and seniority. In the US, two weeks is the norm and most employment is at-will, so you are rarely legally required to give more. In Canada, the common law minimum is often longer than the statutory minimum, especially after several years of service. In the UK, the statutory minimum is one week per year of service up to a maximum of 12 weeks, but your contract may require more. In Australia, the Fair Work Act sets minimums based on length of service, starting at one week for under a year and rising to four weeks for five or more years, with an extra week if you are over 45 and have worked there for at least two years.

• US: two weeks is standard; check for any contractual obligation
• Canada: check both statutory and common law notice, especially if you have been there more than a year
• UK: statutory minimum is one week per year of service, capped at 12 weeks
• Australia: Fair Work minimums range from one to five weeks depending on tenure and age

Tell your manager before anyone else

Resign in person or by video call first, then follow up with a written letter or email. Do not tell colleagues, skip your manager, or post on LinkedIn before your resignation is confirmed. Word travels fast and your manager should hear it from you directly.

Keep the conversation short and professional. You do not owe your employer a detailed explanation of why you are leaving or where you are going. A simple statement works: 'I have accepted another opportunity and I am giving you my notice today. My last day will be [date].' If they ask where you are going, you can say you would prefer to keep that private for now.

How to write a resignation letter

A resignation letter does not need to be long. Its purpose is to create a written record of your notice period and last working day. Keep it to three short paragraphs.

Use this structure as a template. In the first paragraph, state that you are resigning and give your last working day. In the second, thank your employer briefly and genuinely. In the third, offer to help with the handover. Sign off formally.

• Subject line (email): Resignation - [Your Name]
• Paragraph 1: 'I am writing to formally resign from my position as [Job Title] at [Company]. My last day of work will be [date], giving [X weeks] notice as required by my contract.'
• Paragraph 2: 'I have valued my time here and appreciate the opportunities I have been given.'
• Paragraph 3: 'I am committed to making this transition as smooth as possible and am happy to assist with handover documentation or training.'
• Sign off: 'Yours sincerely' (UK/Australia) or 'Sincerely' (US/Canada), then your full name

What to do if they make a counter-offer

Many employers will respond to a resignation with a counter-offer, usually a pay rise or a promotion. Before you accept your new job, decide in advance how you will handle this, because it is harder to think clearly in the moment.

Research consistently shows that most people who accept a counter-offer leave within 12 months anyway, either because the underlying reasons for leaving have not changed or because trust has been damaged. If you have already signed your new offer letter, accepting a counter-offer also puts you in a difficult position with your new employer. It is almost always better to thank your current employer, decline politely, and move on.

Handover basics

A clean handover protects your professional reputation. Even if you feel frustrated, leaving your work in good order is the right thing to do and people remember it.

Start your handover document on day one of your notice period. Do not wait until the last week. The document should cover your current projects, key contacts, recurring tasks, login or access details your employer holds, and any deadlines coming up after your last day.

1. List every active project with its current status and next action
2. Note key contacts: clients, suppliers, internal stakeholders
3. Document recurring tasks with their frequency and how to complete them
4. Flag any deadlines that fall after your last day
5. Arrange handover meetings with the person taking over your work
6. Return all company equipment and revoke personal access to company accounts on your last day

Protecting yourself before you leave

Before your last day, save personal copies of anything you are entitled to keep: your own performance reviews, references, payslips, and contact details for colleagues you want to stay in touch with. Do not take company documents, client data, or proprietary information. That can expose you to legal action.

Update your LinkedIn profile after your last day, not before. Request a reference from your manager or a senior colleague while the relationship is still warm. A brief email asking if they would be willing to serve as a reference is enough. If your new employer requires a reference check, having one lined up avoids delays.

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