So, you’ve decided to leave your current regulatory affairs job.
We hope you had an excellent tenure and are moving on to your new dream job or retirement!
Whatever the reason for your departure, though, you should definitely consider submitting a resignation letter to your employer.
If you’re a regulatory affairs professional and are contemplating to pursue a new job opportunity, we hope you’ll consider engaging our specialized assistance. Recruiting is a personal business, and with that said, we individualize every client’s job search. We want to hear your story. Call one of our recruiting professionals at (772) 212-2753, or get in touch online today!
Who should you submit your resignation letter to, when should you do it, and what should it say?
We’ll provide answers to these questions and more in this post.
Now let’s get started with the basics.
Why do you even need a resignation letter?
We have an entire web page dedicated to the resignation process, as a resignation letter is a big part of it.
The letter serves multiple purposes. First, it creates a formal, referenceable, legal record of the circumstances of your departure, along with an official notice of your last day of work.
A firm termination date is also multi-faceted. Specifying a departure date allows you to quit on your schedule, regardless of conditions. You may have counted on having some much-needed downtime, family time, etc. You may be leaving for personal reasons, health reasons, retirement, a new job, or a combination of circumstances.
You may even be open to staying on a bit longer than your termination date if asked to do so by your current employer. If that’s the case, you can always quit and reengage in a short employment stint as a contractor.
A specified termination date also terminates ancillary employment agreements and clauses common with RA professionals. These potentially include non-compete and non-disclosure agreements, profit sharing, stock options, bonus plans, etc. These types of arrangements tend to have sunset dates, so it’s best to get the clock officially ticking.
The bottom line? Plan ahead and quit with courtesy and respect for your employer—but do it on your terms.
So, what should your letter say?
First, get into the right frame of mind.
The most common reason for writing a resignation letter is you’re leaving for a new job. Nevertheless, there can be additional circumstances, as we mentioned earlier. Regardless of the situation, though, the letter should be short and sweet.
We all know that we should never write an important business communique when we’re angry or frustrated (Though, the temptation is always there!). Put your tenure in perspective, relax, and get into an objective frame of mind when you’re ready to compose your letter. You’ll be glad you did.
Now, how should you write it?
Why you need to be gracious in your resignation letter.
Unless you’re leaving for a specific incident involving some kind of impropriety, you never want to burn any bridges. If you are leaving due to some type of misconduct or illegality, that’s a whole different discussion that’s beyond the scope of this post.
Generally speaking, though, even if your tenure wasn’t perfect, you’ll want to maintain a positive, gracious attitude of gratitude.
You may want to use your boss or some of your colleagues as references down the line and vice versa. It’s rarely worth a parting shot (even if you feel it’s deserved) to risk damaging your network. Also, you just never know who you might run into from your current company as a future coworker, boss, employee, client, etc.
Remember, you’ve put yourself into a positive frame of mind, so keep the tone and purpose of the letter upbeat.
What else do you need to keep top of mind?
Be brief, be brief, be brief!
Harvard Business Review offered some advice on being laconic when composing a resignation letter in a recent article by Amy Gallo, “How to Write a Resignation Letter.” She writes, “
State briefly and clearly when you’re leaving and what you’ll be doing next. If you don’t have a next opportunity lined up, it’s fine to keep that vague; “I’m leaving to explore the next chapter of my career” or something similar will suffice.”
You don’t need to go into much detail about where you’re going to work, reasons for leaving, your new compensation package, etc.
What does the letter look like?
Here’s the basic structure—keep it under 200 words(ish).
Use a standard business letter format. The most important thing to remember is this is a formal business communication, so keep it brief, forthright, and to the point.
Here is an example of the basic structure:
[Your name and address as on file with HR]
[Standard header with the contact’s name and title and the company’s name and address]
[RE: termination of employment (this can also be left blank)]
[Dear Name,]
Paragraph/Sentence 1: [I have decided to leave (company name) to pursue the next chapter of my career. My last day will be xx.xx.xxxx.]
Paragraph/Sentence 2: [I have enjoyed my time with XYZ company and am truly grateful for the opportunity I was given.] [Optional: I have especially enjoyed my relationships with my team and boss (name), and I look forward to maintaining our professional relationships…]
Paragraph/Sentence 3: [I want to help make the transition as seamless as possible…]
Conclusion/Sentence 4: [Thank you again for the opportunity to work for XYZ company, and please feel free to contact me if you need anything further.]
It’s your personal decision regarding who you send the letter to first. It may be your boss or the HR department directly. Just make sure that HR gets a copy the same day you make your departure official.
Now fill in the blanks (discreetly).
If you had a great experience at your current job, don’t be afraid to express your gratitude. You should feel free to mention anything specific you really enjoyed, like projects, educational opportunities, etc.
If your boss had a special, positive impact on your career, don’t hesitate to thank them personally. Other than that, though, stick to the basic letter framework and keep it brief.
Any additional personal gratitude is more appropriate to express at a private lunch, dinner, or over a few cocktails.
What shouldn’t a resignation letter say?
Now is not the time to complain or air any grievances. It’s also a bad idea to discuss your new position, compensation, and benefits in any detail.
Even if you’re leaving for personal reasons, like health, family circumstances, etc., you don’t need to elaborate past a few sentences.
Brevity is the core component of a good resignation letter.
When should you submit a resignation letter, and to whom?
Quitting is likely going to be easier than you think. A good sequence of events is to tell your boss you’re leaving, give a high-level overview of the circumstances, and then submit the official letter to them and HR simultaneously.
Think it through and pick a day to tell your boss in a face-to-face meeting, or at least on a private video call if necessary.
Always make sure you give your employer at least two weeks’ notice whenever possible.
What should you expect?
We’ve seen just about everything there is to see with RA professionals resigning from their jobs.
More often than not, your resignation will be accepted, and you and your employer will both move on without any lingering issues. Changing jobs is part of life. Good employees and employers get that.
There might be a request for you to stick around a bit longer than two weeks, and (, in rare circumstances) a counteroffer may be extended. In both cases, it’s entirely up to the employee to respond. Most of the time, though, the employee has made up their mind and will stick to the two weeks and turn down any counteroffer. There are always exceptions, but that’s the norm.
What’s the bottom line?
Hiring managers are looking for talented candidates just like you in the regulatory affairs space every day. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, people will average over 12 jobs during the course of their careers. It may be your time.
So, what’s next?
Your resignation plan is now ready, and it’s time to move on.
Quitting is typically going to be a straightforward process. Regulatory affairs professionals are in high demand right now. That means that companies are competing intensely for top talent—and that’s not a bad thing for employers and RA professionals.
Are you looking for your next incredible regulatory affairs career opportunity? We know the RA space intimately and the companies looking for exceptional talent. The team at Shepherd Regulatory Search will get to know you and your professional career goals to match you up with the right opening.
Do the job boards and career sites seem intimidating, overcrowded, and unfocused?
Are you considering a career change or modification? Are you open to more flexible types of employment opportunities? Are you looking for a specific type of RA job and willing to wait for the right career prospect? Maybe you’re getting ready to reenter the workforce after an extended absence.
Whatever your circumstances, we’re here to listen first. Once we understand your skills and goals, we’ll connect you with the right opportunities. We’ll even provide resume and interviewing tips.
Call one of our regulatory affairs experts at (772) 212-2753, or get in touch online and start the conversation today!