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- Making a career change? Use our job transition email template to say goodbye
Making a career change? Use our job transition email template to say goodbye
Artwork by: Antonina Kasyanikova
- Job transition email template examples
- Goodbye email to close colleagues
- Farewell email to your team or direct reports
- Goodbye note for your supervisor, manager, or boss
- Departure email to clients, vendors, and third-party contacts
- When to send a job transition email
- 5 Tips for writing a job transition email
- Key takeaways
You’ve let your boss know you’re leaving and handed in your resignation letter. Now you just have to say goodbye. If you can’t find the right words, use a job transition email template for some help and inspiration.
While you might feel excited to be leaving your job for a new venture, saying goodbye to your current coworkers, team members, and manager can be tough. Writing a farewell email can be a thoughtful way to let your colleagues know how much you’ll miss them. Using a job transition email template can make all those goodbyes a little easier.
This article will show you how to write a considerate farewell email when leaving your job, including:
4 templates to help you write a job transition email
How do I announce a job transition and when?
Tips for saying farewell in a positive way
Job transition email template examples
When you leave a job, you may want to say goodbye to your coworkers, boss, and other people you’ve closely worked with, such as vendors or clients. An email can be an effective way to tell people about your departure. Use a job transition email template and add some personal details to write a heartfelt farewell email.
Here are four examples of email templates:
Goodbye email to close colleagues
You've probably become close to some of your colleagues. Even if you’ve had conversations with them about your departure, it’s nice to send them a personal email to express your appreciation for their support and friendship.
Subject line: Thanks for your friendship
Hi [First Name],
As I end my time at [Company Name], I’ve had the chance to reflect on all the wonderful people I've worked with—especially you. I’m honored to have worked with you for the last [number] years.
I’m grateful I met you [discuss when or how you met], and I can’t thank you enough for your friendship during my time here. Not only that, but I’ve loved [include personal details about the ways you’ve worked together or the moments you’ve shared]. I will definitely miss working with you.
However, this isn't goodbye. I know we'll keep in touch outside of work, just like we discussed! I hope we can get together soon for [coffee, a meal, or another activity you enjoy doing together].
All the best,
[Your Name]
Farewell email to your team or direct reports
If you work closely with a team or have direct reports, you can send them an email once they know you’re leaving. Depending on the work environment and team structure, decide whether to use a formal or conversational tone in your email.
Subject line: Thanks for being a great team
Dear Team,
As you know, my last day with [Company Name] is [date of your last day].
I am leaving with a bit of sadness and lots of gratitude for all your support. I’ve learned so much from each of you. Our experiences working together on [specific assignments or projects] have made me a stronger professional and a better person.
It’s time for me to move on, but I’ll greatly miss working with all of you. Please feel free to stay in touch at [email], [phone number], or [LinkedIn profile].
I wish you all the very best.
Best wishes,
[Your Name]
Goodbye note for your supervisor, manager, or boss
After you’ve told your boss about your resignation in person, you can send them a goodbye email. A farewell note can allow you to maintain a good relationship with your manager, so you can use them as a professional reference in the future.
Subject line: Thanks for your leadership and guidance
Dear [Manager’s Name],
As I prepare for my last day on [your final day of work], I want to take a quick moment to say thank you.
Your support and expertise have been a tremendous help to me during my time at [Company Name], and I greatly appreciate all you have provided over the last [number] years that we’ve worked together. In particular, you’ve really helped me [provide details about advice or guidance your manager has offered].
I am moving on, but would love to stay in contact with you. You can find my personal email address and phone number below.
[Email] [Phone number]
Warmly,
[Your Name]
Departure email to clients, vendors, and third-party contacts
If you have a client-facing role or interact with third-party contacts, it’s a good idea to send those people an email to let them know you’re leaving. Send these emails soon after you give your notice when you know the company’s transition plan for your role.
Subject line: Thanks for your business and partnership
Dear [Client’s Name],
I am sending you this note to let you know that my last day with [Company Name] is [date of your last day].
I also wanted to let you know how much I’ve appreciated your professionalism, as well as [personal detail about your working relationship]. I’ll greatly miss working with you.
Over the next [number of weeks or months], I will be completing my transition. Your new point of contact will be [Name of Contact], who is copied on this email. [Name] will get in touch with you by [a specific date]. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions in the meantime.
I wish you all the very best.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
When to send a job transition email
You can send a job transition email when you get a new job or make a career change to another role or industry. You can also send this type of email when you’re transferring to a different role or department within the same company. For example, you may send your teammates an email if you’re transitioning to another department and won’t work with them anymore.
After you’ve submitted your resignation or formally accepted a new internal position, you can email others to let them know about your job transition. However, with the exception of clients and third-party contacts, don’t send out the email too far in advance. Wait until one or two days before you leave. If you send it out earlier, it may become a diversion and make it hard to finish your work.
5 Tips for writing a job transition email
When you want to craft the perfect goodbye message to your colleagues, follow these tips:
Personalize your emails. When using a job transition email template, add personal details about your working relationship, memories, or experiences. A personal touch can show the other person you value them.
Craft a good subject line. The subject of your email should be informative and appropriate. Some examples include “keep in touch,” “my last day,” and “thank you.”
Keep it brief. Keep your email to a few paragraphs with details about your last day and your contact information, if you want to keep in touch. If you choose to share why you’re leaving, limit the information you provide in an email and share other details in person.
Be positive. Maintain a positive tone and express your gratitude for the opportunity to work together. Never say anything negative about the company or your time working there.
Include your contact information. Since you're leaving, your current work email and phone number will no longer be valid. Close your email with your personal contact information, such as your email and phone number.
Once you’ve said goodbye, it’s time to start thinking about your next steps. Transition seamlessly into your new job with Career.io’s First 90 Days Plan so you can hit the ground running!
Key takeaways
Job transition email templates can help you say goodbye to your coworkers, manager, or clients in a thoughtful way.
Personalize your goodbye emails to let other people know how much you’ve enjoyed working with them.
In most cases, wait to send a goodbye email until one or two days before your departure date.
Keep a goodbye email concise and positive, and don’t forget to include your contact information if you want to stay in touch.
