How to Quit a Job Professionally & Burn No Bridges

To quit a job respectfully, line up your next opportunity first, give at least two weeks’ notice, and resign in person if possible. Stay professional in your conversation, follow up with a formal resignation letter, and offer to help with the transition. Keeping your coworkers informed and handling your exit with care can protect your reputation and keep valuable connections intact. 

Should I quit my job? When is it really time to go? Maybe you’ve found something better, you’re ready for a change, or your paycheck just isn’t worth the stress anymore. But now you’re stuck on how to quit. Do you need a fancy resignation letter, or is a simple “I quit” enough? 

Quitting can feel like preparing for a tough breakup. You don’t want them to hate you, but you also don’t want to ghost them or start soft quitting. 

This guide will show you how to quit like a pro — no drama, no regrets, just pure professionalism. What a concept. We’ll cover: 

• Valid reasons people quit their jobs. 
• A step-by-step guide to respectfully quitting. 

If you’ve recently started a job and need to quit, go to: How to Quit a Job You Just Started. 

Need help with your resume? Try the Rezi AI Resume Builder. And for quitting tips, check out these guides: 

• I Hate My Job: What to Do, and When Is It Time to Quit? 
• How to Write a Resignation Letter 
• How to Write a Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons 
• One-Month Notice Resignation Letter Sample 

Reasons to Resign from a Job 

Leaving a job is a big step and it should be intentional, not just a reaction to a bad week. Before you give notice, ask yourself: is this a one-off frustration or an ongoing issue? Have you tried to fix it by talking to your manager? Could a vacation or small change help, or is the problem deeper? 

If you’ve given it time and things still feel off, it might be time to move on. Here are some valid reasons for quitting your job: 

• You’ve hit a wall — no growth, no challenge, no development. 
• The role you’re doing isn’t what you were promised. 
• Work is taking a toll on your mental or physical health. 
• You’ve accepted a new opportunity with better pay, benefits, or career alignment. 
• Life outside of work needs your attention — whether it’s family, school, or your well-being. 
• The environment is toxic — negativity, poor leadership, or zero support. 
• Your values don’t match the company’s direction or ethics. 
• You’re relocating or ready to switch careers. (Need help with your resume? Check out: How to Write a Career Change Resume.) 

This Reddit user shares their experience quitting two jobs that just weren’t the right fit for them: 

How to Respectfully Quit Your Job 

In short: before quitting, ensure you have a solid plan in place, whether it’s securing a new job or taking time off. Update your resume, apply discreetly, and avoid using work devices for job hunting. If resigning remotely, do it by video or phone call — email should be a last resort. Provide two weeks’ notice, and follow up with a formal resignation letter. Help with the transition and leave on good terms to maintain your professional reputation. 

Quitting doesn’t have to be messy. Whether you’re moving on to something exciting or just need a break, here’s how to exit with class, confidence, and maybe even make some lasting connections along the way. 

Line up your next opportunity 

Before quitting, make sure you have your next job or a solid plan in place. Leaving without one can be stressful, and job hunting is much easier when you’re not under pressure. 

What this means for you: 

• Get the offer in writing. Don’t quit until you’ve signed an official offer letter detailing salary, benefits, title, and start date. 
• Look for repeat red flags. If you’re leaving because of culture, leadership, or lack of growth, watch for those same signs in new roles. 
• Update your resume and LinkedIn. Highlight your latest achievements, skills, and experience, and tailor your resume for each application. 
• Job hunt discreetly. Apply from personal devices, not company email or work laptops. Be professional in interviews and avoid venting about your current job online. 

Securing your next job ensures peace of mind and a smoother exit. But if you have savings and need a break, take time off to recharge. This Reddit user took that route and has no regrets: 

Give two weeks’ notice 

Though not legally required, giving two weeks’ notice is a respectful and professional move. It keeps your reputation intact and leaves the door open for future opportunities. 

What this means for you: 

• Check your contract. Some jobs, especially senior or specialized roles, require more notice, so confirm what’s expected. 
• Be honest if two weeks isn’t possible. Whether for an immediate start or a personal emergency, apologize and offer any help you can. 

Some, like Roberto, even give extra notice to help their team: 

“I loved my colleagues so I purposely gave more notice than was necessary as I knew leaving would cause a lot of issues in terms of finding a replacement. I found it hard to tell them as I really enjoyed working with them.” 

Speak with your manager in person 

Delivering your resignation face-to-face is the most respectful and professional approach. 

What this means for you: 

• Schedule a private meeting. Your manager should hear it from you, not through office gossip or HR. 
• Keep it short and positive. Simply say: “I’ve decided to resign, and my last day will be [insert date]. I’m grateful for the opportunity and everything I’ve learned here.” No need to go into all the reasons behind your decision. 
• Share your next step (if you want to). Mention your new job briefly, but don’t overshare. 
• Stay calm and professional. Avoid venting, even if your experience wasn’t ideal. Save that for the exit interview if needed. 
• Be prepared for their reaction. Whether they’re understanding, surprised, or even upset, stay polite and confident about your decision. 

What if you can’t quit in person? 

If an in-person conversation isn’t possible, here’s how to handle it: 

• Phone or video call. Set up a meeting, be professional, explain your decision, and thank them for the opportunity. 
• Email. Only use email if necessary (e.g. your boss is unreachable). Keep it respectful, direct, and include your resignation, last day, and willingness to help with the handover. 
• Text. Avoid quitting by text unless there’s absolutely no other option and texting is your primary means of communication. Even then, it’s unprofessional and a last resort. 

Write a formal resignation letter 

Follow up your conversation with a formal resignation letter for clarity and professionalism. 

What your letter should include: 

• Greet your manager formally. Start with something like “Dear [Manager’s Name].” 
• State your resignation clearly. Explain you’re resigning and include your last day. 
• Emphasize something positive. Mention a skill you gained, great coworkers, or valuable experience. 
• Offer help. Volunteer to assist with the transition, like wrapping up projects or training someone new. 
• End on a positive note. Thank them and use a professional sign-off like “Best regards” or “All the best.” 

Here’s a sample resignation letter: 

Subject: Resignation Notice 

Dear Samantha, 

I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to officially inform you that I am resigning from my position as Accountant at Greenfield Financial Services, with my last working day being May 10, 2025, in accordance with the company’s two-week notice policy. 

This decision wasn’t easy for me, but after careful consideration, I’ve accepted an offer with a new company that aligns better with my long-term career goals. Working at Greenfield has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I’ve gained a lot of valuable skills, particularly in financial reporting, tax filing, and using tools like QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel. I’ve also really enjoyed working with the team and contributing to the company’s growth over the years. 

To make the transition as smooth as possible, I’ll wrap up all my current work, finalize the financial reports for this quarter, and assist in any other tasks that will help with the handover of my responsibilities. I’m also happy to assist with training my replacement or helping in any other way needed during this time. 

I want to thank you for all the support and opportunities you’ve given me during my time here. I’ve truly enjoyed my time at Greenfield, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team. I hope to stay in touch and wish you and the team all the best moving forward. 

Best regards,
John Sanders 

For more inspiration, browse through 100+ Free Resignation Letter Templates & Samples. 

Tell your coworkers 

Once your manager knows, inform your coworkers, especially those you’re close with. 

What this means for you: 

• Break the news thoughtfully. Share the update in person, or via email, Slack, or Teams. 
• Thank them. Highlight something specific you appreciated about working together. 
• Be humble. Don’t brag about your new job, or they might wish you’d left sooner. 
• Stay connected. Swap LinkedIn profiles or personal emails if you want to keep in touch. 

Share constructive feedback in your exit interview 

If you’re asked to do an exit interview, handle it with care — how you leave can stick with you. 

What this means for you: 

• Keep it classy. Focus on areas for improvement, not personal grievances. 
• Offer constructive criticism. Give useful feedback, like “better communication from leadership could make a big difference in team productivity,” instead of “he’s the worst manager I’ve ever had.” 
• Mention positives too. Even if your experience wasn’t perfect, highlight the good parts — people, projects, or perks. 

Support a smooth transition 

Making your exit easy for the team shows you care and leaves a lasting good impression. 

What this means for you: 

• Finish what you can. Wrap up as many projects as possible before your last day. 
• Organize your work. Hand off project details, files, and next steps. 
• Train your replacement. Help train the newbie or create a guide for whoever picks up your work. 
• Communicate with other teams. Let key departments know you’re leaving to avoid confusion. 

Leave on good terms 

Your exit matters for your career and future opportunities, like when you need to ask someone for a reference. 

What this means for you: 

• Show gratitude. Thank your boss, teammates, and anyone you worked closely with. 
• Finish strong. Maintain high-quality work right up to your last day.
• Stay positive. Avoid badmouthing the company, online or offline. 
• Keep in touch. Leave doors open by staying friendly and professional after you leave. 

Michael, a project manager who’s relocated and switched roles for better opportunities, shares his tips for parting on a good note: 

“It’s important to give as much notice as possible. You don’t want to burn any bridges — you never know when those contacts might help. I don’t slack off and keep working at my usual pace until the end. A few weeks before I leave, I start preparing for the handover by gathering all project details so they’re easy to transfer. I set up the handover meeting a week before my last day, and a check-in with the next PM a day before, just to answer any more questions.” 

Summary 

Here’s a recap on quitting your job: 

• Leave for the right reasons, not just because of a bad week. 
• Lock in your next job (in writing) or have savings lined up before you resign. 
• Always give two weeks’ notice, even if it’s not legally required. 
• Job hunt discreetly using personal devices, not company resources. 
• Follow up your resignation with a clear and gracious formal letter. 
• If you can’t quit in person, use a video or phone call — email only as a last resort. 
• Help with transition by finishing projects, documenting your work, and training your replacement if possible. 
• Give respectful, constructive feedback during your exit interview without venting. 
• Stay professional until your last day, and thank your boss and coworkers. 
• Leave on good terms to keep connections strong for future opportunities.

FAQ 

How do you politely quit a job immediately? 

Tell your boss right away — in person or over video if needed. Explain that you have to leave immediately, thank them for the opportunity, and apologize for the short notice. Offer to help however you can in your remaining time, then send a quick resignation letter to make it official. 

For more advice, check out: How to Quit a Job You Just Started: The Best Ways to Resign. 

How to quit a job without notice? 

If you have to leave without notice, inform your employer ASAP, either face-to-face or in writing. Keep it respectful, but you don’t have to share every detail. Be aware that it could impact your reputation or violate your contract. If serious issues (like safety) are the reason, document everything.

How to quit a job before you start? 

If you change your mind after accepting an offer, let the employer know as soon as possible — ideally by phone, but email works too. Be polite, apologize for the inconvenience, and briefly explain you’re heading in a different direction. 

Example: “I wanted to let you know that due to some recent changes in my circumstances, I have decided to move in a different direction and will not be able to start the position as planned. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.” 

How long does a job have to pay you after you quit? 

You’re entitled to all the wages you earned up to your last day, and maybe unused vacation time if your state or contract says so. When you’ll get your final paycheck depends on state laws — it could be your next payday or within a set number of days. If you had a severance deal in your contract, they’ll need to pay that too. 

Do I need to provide a reason for my resignation? 

You don’t have to give a reason for your resignation unless you want to. If you do share, keep it short and positive: “I’ve decided to pursue another opportunity that aligns better with my career goals.” Otherwise, you can just say you’re resigning and leave it at that. 

What is the best excuse for quitting your job?

There’s no single perfect excuse — just keep it simple, honest, and polite. A new job, family needs, health reasons, or relocation all work. If you’d rather not share details, saying you’re leaving for personal reasons or a better opportunity is fine.