A three months notice resignation letter gives your company a substantial window to manage the transition process. It’s a strong demonstration of professionalism.
Writing a letter of resignation with a three months notice is as much an opportunity to express your gratitude for the opportunities you've been given as it is to pave the way for your future endeavors.
Sample 3 Months Notice Resignation Letter
How to Write a 3 Months Notice Resignation Letter
Here’s a guide on how to write an effective resignation letter with a three months notice:
- Enter contact information. Put your contact details in the header section of your letter.
- Greet the right person. Address your direct supervisor or the person responsible for your employment. It's also considerate to include HR or the relevant department in accordance with your company's policy.
- State your resignation: Start with a clear resignation statement. For example, “I am writing to formally announce my resignation from my position as [Your Job Title] at [Company Name], effective three months from today’s date, [Resignation Date].”
- Provide a reason. Give a concise reason for your departure. Focus on forward-looking reasons or personal motivations without negative remarks about your current role. For example, “After much consideration, I have decided to resign to explore new opportunities that align more closely with my long-term career goals.”
- Acknowledge your experience. Show recognition of the skills and experiences you've gained during your time at the company.
- Show appreciation to your team. Thank the company for the opportunities you've had, making sure to highlight specific experiences and learnings that have been particularly meaningful to you.
- Offer to assist with the transition. Extend an offer to assist with the transition period. This could involve training a replacement, completing current projects, or preparing procedural documentation to ensure a smooth handover.
- Use a formal closing. End with a formal sign-off, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your full name.
Let’s go through each step below.
1. Enter your contact information
Start with your personal details at the top of the letter:
- Full Name
- Location
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Date
- Company Name
This ensures that your letter is formally recognized and correctly filed.
2. Greet the right person
Begin with a formal greeting to your manager using their last name:
- Dear Mr. Jones
- Dear Mrs. Hughes
- Dear Ms. Wanderwald
3. State your resignation
Inform your company that you’re resigning and the exact date of your official departure.
Here are a few examples:
- I am writing to announce my resignation, effective <date>.
- It is with regret that I must inform you of my resignation. The date of my departure will be on <date>.
- Please accept this letter as my formal resignation. My last day of work will be on <date>.
Afterward, you can add a sentence that expresses a positive note about your time at the company.
4. Provide a reason
Keep it succinct and straight to the point. There’s no need to justify yourself—a general reason that explains your decision to leave is more than good enough.
Something as simple as, “I am resigning to pursue a new opportunity that aligns more closely with my personal long-term goals” works. From there, either move on to the next step or share a few more details if you’re comfortable doing so.
5. Acknowledge your experience
Focus on the positives. Highlight any particular skills developed or projects you’ve contributed to that were significant to your professional growth. This is a way for you to express gratitude and reflect on the mutual benefits of your employment.
Here’s an example:
“During my time here, I have had the privilege of leading the XYZ project and contributing to company milestones, enhancing my project management skills. These experiences have been instrumental in my professional growth, and I am thankful for the opportunities to develop and apply my abilities in a supportive and dynamic environment.”
6. Show appreciation to your team
Thank your team and company directly for the valuable experiences.
Show appreciation for the opportunity to work together. If there’s one wonderful experience that you’re most grateful for, feel free to mention it. This goes a long way when it comes to maintaining your professional relationships.
7. Offer to assist with the transition
Mention that you’re willing to support the company to the best of your ability during the extended transition period. This could include training replacements or documenting processes:
“I am committed to making this transition as smooth as possible and am willing to assist in any way during the next three months.”
8. Use a formal closing
Conclude with a professional closing:
- Yours sincerely
- Sincerely
- With gratitude
- Regards
How to Quit Your Job the Right Way With a 3 Months Notice Period
The best-case scenario is to leave your job gracefully and stay on good terms with the people you’ve worked with.
Even after your resignation, your former colleagues or managers could still offer valuable support by doing a few things:
- Leaving a good reference
- Writing you a recommendation letter
- Referring you to their network
- Reinforcing your professional reputation
A three months notice period, when managed well, can help ensure that you leave your job on the best terms possible, with a network ready to vouch for your professionalism and skills.
Complete any remaining projects to a high standard
With three months at your disposal, you have a generous amount of time to wrap up even the most intricate projects with excellence. This duration not only allows you to thoroughly complete all ongoing tasks but also to meticulously address any pending work.
Plus, this period serves as a golden opportunity for you to exceed expectations. Give the company everything they might need for a smooth transition.
Communicate promptly
Keep your line of communication with your manager open and responsive. Make it a priority to reply promptly to any inquiries and to fulfill all deadlines proactively.
And be straightforward with your manager when discussing your resignation. However, no need to dive into the full details behind your reasons.
It’s even enough to say that you’re leaving for personal reasons or your own career growth. Either way, you’re not obligated to specify exactly why you’re leaving. What’s more important is that you deliver the results the company expects and keep them in the loop to ensure a seamless transition.
Highlight the positives
Your final quarter at the organization is a golden opportunity to nurture your professional relationships.
Emphasize the positive experiences and lessons learned during your time of employment. If there is constructive feedback or concerns you wish to express, opt for sharing them privately with your manager during a one-on-one discussion or at the exit interview.
How Long Should Your Resignation Letter Be?
100–150 words is the standard. 2–3 paragraphs also work. If you’d like, feel free to write another paragraph in the main body when you’d like to share some feedback.
Summary
Let’s recap on how to write a three months notice resignation letter:
- Include contact details.
- Address the right individual.
- State your intent to resign.
- Mention your last day of work.
- Share a brief reason for your resignation.
- Highlight positive experiences you had with the company.
- Express gratitude.
- Make it clear that you’re willing to assist with the transition.
- End with a standard closing.
Now, you have all the steps you need to resign respectfully in three months.
The only thing left is to carry out your responsibilities, meet your deadlines, and help your team ensure a smooth transition.
FAQs
Is a 3 months resignation notice too much?
A three months resignation notice is a lot longer than the standard notice period of two weeks. But that doesn’t mean it’s too much. Your employers are likely to appreciate the extended notice since it gives them more time to prepare for your departure. Overall, it depends on your industry and job title. For roles where finding a replacement or transitioning is more challenging, a three months notice may be considered the norm.
Are you legally allowed to give a 3 months resignation notice?
You’re legally entitled to give a three months resignation notice if it aligns with the terms of your employment contract and local work laws. Double-check your work agreement and company policies. If you’re unsure, discuss it with your manager.
Can you resign immediately?
There are special circumstances where you can resign immediately. However, doing so may lead to a breach of contract. It may also leave a negative impression on your current and future employer unless it’s for urgent or serious reasons. It’s best to follow what’s been stated in your work contract.