Resignation Letter for New Job Template (UK 2026)

Why this matters

How you exit for a new role shapes whether your former colleagues become referrals or detractors. UK recruitment is networked tighter than candidates assume — references get checked, LinkedIn connections persist, and senior moves often need backchannel checks. The candidates whose former managers actively recommend them usually wrote forgettable, professional resignation letters.

Template letter

Dear [Manager's name],

I am writing to formally resign from [Job title] at [Company name]. I have accepted another opportunity that I believe is the right next step for my career.

In line with my notice period, my last working day will be [date].

I want to thank you and the team for [briefly: skills/experiences/opportunities — one sentence]. I'm committed to handing over my work properly and will do everything I can to make the transition smooth for the team.

Please let me know how I can best support the next few weeks.

Yours sincerely,
[Your name]

Replace bracketed text [like this] with your details. Keep the tone — that's what does the work.

Step-by-step

1. 1 Sign the new contract before resigning — never resign on a verbal offer
2. 2 Confirm the new role's start date and align with your notice period
3. 3 Verify whether your new contract has restrictive covenants that affect what you can say
4. 4 Don't name the new employer in the letter unless asked
5. 5 Don't post about the new role on LinkedIn until your last day
6. 6 Be ready for a counter-offer — decide your position before submitting the letter
7. 7 Plan your handover to the level a successor could understand without you

Common mistakes

• ✗Naming the new employer in the resignation letter — never necessary
• ✗Posting on LinkedIn before the last day — current colleagues see it, awkward
• ✗Accepting a counter-offer without serious thought — most counter-offered candidates leave within 12 months
• ✗Burning bridges by being too candid about why you're leaving
• ✗Failing to negotiate your new start date around your notice period