• Always be positive. The best way to view your resignation is that you are writing to your most recent and applicable reference, not your old job. As I mentioned in the interview advice pages, no matter how disillusioned you felt, you have to appear to be positive and above all professional.
  
  
• It is always advisable to put your resignation in writing, no matter what company policy is. Try to include some positive statements as you will soon be asking for a reference.
  
  
• The only occasion it is not advisable to write a letter of resignation is if you feel that you have been forced to leave. If you have been put in this position, through what you feel is tantamount to harassment of any kind, your best bet is to seek legal advice before putting anything in writing. Again, if you were left with no choice but to leave, writing a letter of resignation may well effect any application for benefits.
  
  
• Before you resign you should refer to your staff handbook and check the company policy on resignations. This can vary between no period of notice required to one month plus one week for every year worked. Again, some companies have different policies on how they deal with staff after their resignation. In extreme cases staff are escorted to their desk to collect their belongings and escorted off the premises. Some staff are told to they are relieved of their positions with immediate effect but are still paid for their notice period. But most will expect you to work the notice period.
  
  Her are some examples of resignation letters which you may wish to follow:
  
  Example 1
  
  Dear ______,
  
  I would like to effect my resignation immediately. Taking into consideration my holiday and resignation period as written in my contract of employment, I calculate my last date of employment with ________ to be __/__/__.
  
  Yours sincerely,
  
  Example 2
  
  Dear _____,
  
  As per the details of my contract of employment I hereby give ________ weeks notice of my intention to leave ________.
  
  I would like to take this chance to thank you for all the support and opportunities that have been extended to me during my employment. However, I feel that it now time for me to move on. I have accepted a position with another firm, which I feel progresses me towards my personal career goal.
  
  If there is anything that I can do to assist a smooth transfer of responsibilities then please do not hesitate to contact me.
  
  Yours sincerely,
  
  Example 3
  
  Dear _____,
  
  As per the details of my contract of employment I hereby give notice of my intention to leave ________.
  
  I would like to take this chance to thank you for all the support and opportunities that have been extended to me during my employment. However, I feel that it now time for me to move on. I have accepted a position with another firm, which I feel progresses me towards my personal career goal.
  
  I understand that the period of notice due is ________, but if it is possible it would be of great assistance to me if you could waive this period, as I would like to join my new position as soon as possible.
  
  Thank you for your help during my employment and best wishes for the future.
  
  Yours sincerely,

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