How to Write a Two Weeks Notice Letter (Template + Examples)
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Giving two weeks notice is the standard, expected way to resign in most roles. The letter that does it well is brief and warm: it confirms your departure, names a specific last day, thanks the team, and offers to help hand over your work. That restraint is what protects your references and lets you leave a door open.
Below is a copy-ready two weeks notice letter template, a breakdown of what each part is doing, the do-and-do-not list, and answers to the questions people ask most when they are about to hand it in.
Two Weeks Notice Letter template
Standard two weeks notice. Replace the names, role, and dates with your own, and count fourteen days from the day you hand it in.
Dear Ms. Carter,
Please accept this letter as my formal two weeks notice of resignation from my position as Account Manager at Brightwave Media. My last day of employment will be Friday, June 27, 2026.
I am grateful for the time I have spent here and for the support and trust I have been given. I have learned a great deal working with this team, and I will carry that experience forward with me.
Over the next two weeks I will do all I can to make the handover smooth, including documenting my open accounts, finishing what I can, and helping bring my replacement up to speed. Please let me know what would be most useful as we plan the transition.
Thank you again for the opportunity. I wish you and the team continued success, and I hope we stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Jordan Ellis
What each part is doing
- The notice statement: One clear sentence that you are giving two weeks notice and your exact last working day. This is the only part that is strictly required.
- The thank-you: A short, genuine line of gratitude that sets a warm tone and protects the relationship.
- The handover offer: A sentence offering to help with the transition over your final two weeks. It signals professionalism and is remembered.
- The close: A friendly sign-off with no grievances and no over-explaining.
What to include in a two weeks notice letter
Keep it to four short parts: a clear statement that you are giving two weeks notice, your exact last working day, a brief thank-you, and an offer to help with the handover. Address it to your direct manager and copy HR so the date is on record in both places.
Name the specific last day rather than writing only "in two weeks" so there is no confusion about when your notice period ends. Count fourteen days from the day you hand the letter in, adjust for weekends or company policy if needed, and keep a dated copy for yourself.
What to avoid
Do not use the letter to explain why you are leaving, to compare your new role, or to list anything that frustrated you. It becomes part of your file and can reach future references, so anything pointed tends to do more harm than good. Save honest feedback for an exit conversation if you choose to give it at all.
Avoid emotional language, ultimatums, and a last day that gives less than the notice your contract expects. A two weeks notice letter that is short and kind is doing exactly what it should; one that tries to make a point usually works against you later.
How to hand it in and what comes next
Where you can, tell your manager in person or on a call first, then follow up with the written letter the same day so there is a clear record. Email is normal now, and a signed PDF attached to a short, polite message in the body is professional and easy to file.
Be ready for a counteroffer and for the chance that they ask you to leave before the two weeks are up. Stay gracious either way, finish your handover notes, and return any company property on your final day.
Two Weeks Notice Letter do's and don'ts
Do
- Give a full two weeks unless your contract asks for more.
- Name your exact last working day, not just "two weeks".
- Thank your manager and team briefly and genuinely.
- Offer to help with the handover during your notice period.
- Tell your manager directly before sending the letter.
Don't
- Do not explain why you are leaving or air grievances.
- Do not criticize people, pay, or the company.
- Do not give a last day that is shorter than your contract requires.
- Do not make it long; four short paragraphs is plenty.
- Do not forget to keep a dated copy and copy HR.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I count the two weeks?
Count fourteen calendar days from the day you hand the letter in, then name that date as your last working day. If it lands on a weekend or clashes with company policy, adjust to the nearest working day and state it clearly. Naming an exact date rather than just "two weeks" removes any ambiguity about when your notice ends.
Do I have to say why I am leaving?
No, and it is usually better not to. A two weeks notice letter only needs to state that you are resigning and your last day. Reasons can come up in an exit conversation if you want to share them, but the written letter should stay short and neutral.
Can I give my two weeks notice by email?
Yes, email is standard and gives you a clear record. Where you can, tell your manager in person or on a call first, then send the written letter the same day. A signed PDF attached to a short, polite email is professional and easy for HR to file.
What if my employer asks me to leave before the two weeks are up?
That is their choice to make, and it is fairly common. Stay gracious, finish your handover notes, and return company property whenever you actually leave. Giving proper notice in writing is what matters for your references, even if the employer decides to shorten it.
