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- A two weeks notice letter is a short written note that tells your employer you are resigning and names your last day, usually 14 days after you hand it in.
- Two weeks is a courtesy in most U.S. jobs, not a law, so read your contract or handbook before you choose a date.
- Tell your manager in person first, then send a one-page letter or email with your last day, a thank-you, and an offer to help with the handover.
- Line up your next move before you give notice, and test your resume with our free ATS resume checker.
A two weeks notice letter is a short, professional note that tells your employer you are leaving and gives them about 14 days to plan your handover. Written well, it protects your reputation, your references, and your chance to leave on good terms.
This guide shows how to write a two weeks notice, what to include, how to count the two weeks, and what to do if your employer asks you to leave sooner. It includes three copy-and-paste examples and a free Word template.
Your two weeks, from the announcement to your last day
Your notice period runs in five stages: announce, send the letter, plan the handover, transfer your work, and leave on your last day.
Stay engaged until the end. How you work during these two weeks is what colleagues remember, and some of them will become your references.
Three notices you can copy: formal, quick, and neutral
A good two weeks notice letter is short, dated, and specific: it names your role, gives your last day, and offers one clear way to help. Below are three examples to copy and adapt. Replace the bracketed text with your own details.
Example 1: Formal two weeks notice letter
[Your Name]
[Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
Please accept this letter as formal notice that I am resigning from my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name]. My last day will be [date, two weeks from today].
Thank you for the support and opportunities you have given me. I especially valued [specific project or experience].
Over the next two weeks, I will finish my current projects and prepare handover notes. I am glad to help train my replacement.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Example 2: Short two weeks notice email
Subject: Two weeks notice: [Your Name]
Hi [Manager’s Name],
Thank you for talking with me today. As we discussed, this email confirms my two weeks notice. My last day will be [date].
I will document my open work and help with the handover. Thank you for the experience and support.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Example 3: Neutral two weeks notice when things are tense
Subject: Notice of resignation: [Your Name]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am resigning from my position as [Job Title], effective [date, two weeks from today].
I will complete my current assignments and provide written handover notes before my last day. Please let me know what else would help with the transition.
Thank you for the opportunity to work here.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
From blank page to sent: how to write your notice
To write a two weeks notice, choose your last day, tell your manager first, then send a short letter that states your resignation, thanks your employer, and offers a handover. Follow these five steps.
Choose your last day
Count 14 calendar days from the day you plan to give notice, then pick the nearest working day. Check your contract or handbook in case it asks for longer.
Do: “My last day will be Friday, [date].” · Not: “I will probably leave in a couple of weeks.”
Tell your manager in person first
Ask for a short private meeting, in person or by video, and share the news yourself. The letter confirms what you said, so nobody should learn it from an inbox.
Do: “Do you have ten minutes today? I have news about my role.” · Not: Sending the letter with no warning
Write the letter in plain, polite words
Open with one sentence that says you are resigning and when you will leave. Add a line of thanks. Skip long explanations, because the letter is a record, not a debate.
Do: “Please accept this letter as my two weeks notice.” · Not: Three paragraphs about why you are unhappy
Offer a realistic handover
Name one or two things you will actually do, such as finishing a report, documenting your files, or briefing a colleague. Promise only what fits inside two weeks.
Do: “I will finish the monthly report and document my client files.” · Not: “I will finish everything before I go.”
Send it, copy HR if needed, and keep a copy
Email the letter the same day you tell your manager, using a clear subject line. Copy HR if your policy requires it, and save a dated copy for your records.
Do: Subject: “Two weeks notice: [Your Name]” · Not: A text message or a blank subject line
The five things every notice letter needs
A two weeks notice letter should include five things: a clear statement that you are resigning, your job title, your last working day, a short thank-you, and an offer to help with the handover.
| Element | Why it matters | Sample wording |
|---|---|---|
| Resignation statement | Removes any doubt that you are leaving | “Please accept this letter as my two weeks notice.” |
| Job title and company | Identifies exactly which role is ending | “I am resigning from my role as [Job Title].” |
| Last working day | Gives payroll and your manager a firm date | “My last day will be [date].” |
| Thank-you | Keeps the tone warm and professional | “Thank you for the opportunities I have had here.” |
| Handover offer | Shows you will leave the team in good shape | “I will document my projects and train my replacement.” |
Keep the letter to one page and under 150 words. You do not need to explain why you are leaving.
Counting your 14 days and picking a last day
Count 14 calendar days, or about 10 working days, from the day you give notice, then agree the exact date with your manager. The date you propose is a courtesy, and your employer may adjust it.
| Method | How it works | Best when |
|---|---|---|
| Exactly 14 days | Give notice on a Tuesday, leave on the Tuesday two weeks later | You want the simplest, cleanest date |
| End of the second work week | Give notice early in the week, leave on the Friday of the following week | You want a natural stopping point for the team |
| Pay period or project end | Pick the payday or deadline closest to the two-week mark | A launch, close, or report is due |
Do employers really expect two weeks’ notice?
In most U.S. jobs, notice is a courtesy, yet plenty of people expect it. A clear, polite letter is the easiest way to meet that expectation.
How is a two weeks notice different from a resignation letter?
A two weeks notice letter is a short written notice that you are resigning and that your last day will be about 14 days from the date you give it. It gives your employer a clear record and time to plan.
It is a type of resignation letter, with the timeline up front. For a wider format with more wording options, see our resignation letter guide.
Which lines of the letter carry the most weight?
The last day and the resignation statement matter most, because they are the two facts your employer must act on. Everything else is tone and goodwill.
Which lines of a notice letter carry the most weight (illustrative)
A rough ranking for a one-page letter, not a measured statistic.
Illustrative editorial ranking from the ResumeCroc resume team, not a measured statistic.
“Treat your notice letter as the last page of your work history. Keep it short, dated, and calm, because the person who files it may also be the person who answers your next reference call.”
ResumeCroc resume team
What to keep out of your notice
Leave out complaints, blame, gossip, ultimatums, and details about your next employer or salary. Anything you write can be filed, forwarded, or read by a future reference-checker.
If a problem is behind your decision, save that feedback for an exit interview, and keep it constructive.
What if your employer wants you gone before day 14?
Your employer can often accept your notice and ask you to leave sooner, especially in sensitive or client-facing roles. In at-will U.S. jobs that is usually their right, so plan for it before you resign.
Ask HR in writing about your final paycheck, unused leave, and when your benefits end. Final pay rules vary by state, so check your state labor department if anything is unclear.
Once the letter is in, how do you finish strong?
After you give notice, finish strong and prepare your next move: record your wins with real numbers, collect reference contacts, and update your resume while the details are fresh. Never copy confidential files.
If your next job is not locked in, your resume is now your most important document. Our resume writing service builds achievement-led resumes that pass applicant tracking systems and impress the person reading them.
Still weighing more than one offer? Wait until your new offer is in writing before you give notice, then turn the others down politely. Our guide on how to decline a job offer has word-for-word examples.
Is your resume ready for the next role?
Paste your resume and a job description into our free checker for an instant ATS score, the keywords you are missing, and prioritized fixes, all in your browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
Is two weeks notice required?
No, not in most U.S. jobs. Two weeks is a professional courtesy, and most employment is at will. But your contract, handbook, or union agreement may require notice, so read them first. Leaving without notice can cost you references and rehire eligibility.
Can I give more or less than two weeks notice?
Yes. Give more if your contract requires it or your role needs a long handover, and less only for serious reasons, such as safety or a fixed start date. Whatever you choose, state the exact last day in writing.
Should I send my two weeks notice by email or on paper?
Either works. Tell your manager in person or by video first, then email the letter so there is a dated record, copying HR if your policy requires it. Print and sign a hard copy only if your employer asks for one.
What should I include in a two weeks notice letter?
Include a clear statement that you are resigning, your job title, your last working day, a short thank-you, and an offer to help with the handover. Keep it to one page and under 150 words.
Do I have to say why I am leaving?
No. A reason is optional, and a short, positive line such as “to pursue another opportunity” is plenty. Save detailed feedback for an exit interview, and share it only if it is constructive.
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