20+ Best Subject Lines for Resignation Email Messages

Sending a resignation email with an excellent subject line can make the process smoother for everyone involved. But how do you do that?

Should you thank the company? Mention that it was a pleasure working with them? Or just resign respectfully and quickly to avoid any awkward encounters at work?

According to career experts, here are the best subject lines for your resignation email.

Rahul Vij

Rahul Vij

CEO and Managing Director, WebSpero Solutions

“Announcement Regarding Resignation – Your Name”

A resignation email is something that should grab the receiver’s attention. If you want your email doesn’t go unnoticed, make sure your email’s subject line contains the word ‘Resignation.’

The subject line can be:

  • Resignation – Your Name
  • Resignation and Date – Your Name
  • Announcement Regarding Resignation – Your Name

Keep the subject formal

Ensure both your subject line and the message is written in a formal tone. Be respectful and provide the necessary information. For example, if it’s short notice, mention the date when the resignation is effective in your subject line.

An ideal way to do so is:

  • Resignation as of Date – Your Name

Don’t add punctuation marks

When writing your resignation, make sure you remain respectful throughout the mail. When writing the subject line, it should be complete in itself. Do not add a question mark or any other punctuation marks. Also, do not use emojis.

Daniela Sawyer

Daniela Sawyer

Founder & Business Development Strategist, FindPeopleFast

“Notice of resignation – your name”

As you quit a job via email, you must use good subject lines. Send the email two weeks before your last day. The subject line matters because it ensures that your boss recognizes the importance of your email and reads it. You can speak on the reason for you to quit later through the phone.

Related: How to Tell Your Boss You’re Quitting

Therefore your effective subject lines can be of these:

• Notice of resignation with your name
• Resignation announcement with your name aside
• Resigning as of the date and your name aside
• Letter of resignation and add your name
• Private and confidential, add you’re aside
• Formal resignation and your name

Sample email:

Subject: Resignation – (your name)

Dear Mr./Mrs. (Name of whoever concerned)

This is to notify you that I am resigning from my post on (date).

Thank you for all the support and opportunities you have provided me. I will always be grateful for the space given to me all these valuable days.

You can reach out to me any time on anything. I’ll make sure that I have completed all my projects assigned before I leave. Else I’ll replace someone on the same. Please let me know if I can do anything to bring in this shift easier.

Sincerely
(Your name).

Brian Dordevic

Brian Dordevic

Director of Strategic Planning and Digital Marketer, Alpha Efficiency

Resignation – Your Name – Your Department

Don’t get me wrong, the best way to resign is always going to be face to face. But, if circumstances dictate otherwise, I guess it would be acceptable to do it via email. Just make sure to be professional and courteous and include all the pertinent information related to your resignation.

It’s critical to utilize a very clear subject line when resigning from a job by email. Be straightforward and concise to get the message across immediately. Sometimes you need to put more details like your department (in case your boss handles too many) or your position (if you’re not directly reporting to him).

Here are some excellent examples:

  • Resignation – Your Name
  • Resignation – Your Name – Your Department
  • Resignation – Your Name – Your Position

Whatever subject you use, the bottom line is you have to maintain a professional demeanor regardless of how long or short you worked for the organization or the circumstances that led to your sending an email resignation letter. Nobody wants to cause a rift with their boss, especially when obtaining letters of recommendation.

Always maintain a professional demeanor and express gratitude for what your bosses have taught you.

Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas

Retail & Marketing Advisor | CEO and Founder, QuerySprout

“Resignation – Date – Your name”

The bureaucratic system of the workforce dictates the formality and professionalism in every activity or deed we perform in the workplace. This includes resignation. And resignation letters are supposed to precede the announcement of your resignation once you communicate with your direct supervisor.

But on the bureaucratic side of things, what would be the best subject lines when sending out our resignation emails?

Here are some of the best examples you can choose from. Most sound the same; some might not even have vast differences:

  • “Resignation – Your name”
  • “Resignation – Date – Your name”
  • “Resignation as of date – Your name”
  • “Resignation announcement – Your name”
  • “Notice of resignation – Your name”

There are underlying principles why subject lines are highly professional because resignation is not a light matter. Although the company does not have a hold over its employees, it is important to present the matter as brief and direct as possible. The date denotes that resignation letters are sent beforehand, ideally months before the actual severance.

This will allow the company to have the time frame to train new recruits who will take on the mantle you left. Resignation letter subject lines must be direct and must indicate plainly the purpose of the contents.

Devin Schumacher

Devin Schumacher

Founder, SERP

“Notice of Resignation – Employee Name”

I would advise employees from brick-and-mortar stores to submit their resignation letters in person.

Doing so conveys sincerity and professionalism. Showing respect even during the resignation process allows you to maintain a healthy, beneficial relationship with your supervisors, which could help when looking for referrals. However, if you can only send your resignation letter via email, at least strive to sound as professional and polite as possible.

Remember: traditional employers don’t take kindly to abrupt emails.

To improve the message that your email conveys, try customizing your subject line. A good subject will prepare your recipient for the email. It should represent your message using as few words as possible. Text-heavy subject lines that contain complete sentences will look like spam.

You’re free to modify your header, but in my opinion, a polite, fail-safe subject template to use on your resignation email is: “Notice of Resignation – Employee Name”

The title capitalization format has an eye-catching aesthetic, the dash neatly divides subject elements, and the entire text would only be around 40 to 60 characters long—depending on your name.

Simon Brisk

Simon Brisk

CEO, Click Intelligence Ltd

“Resigning as of [Date] – [Name]”

The moral duty

​When an employee decides to leave the company, it is their moral and legal obligation to abide by that company’s protocols. The employee is expected to fulfill the bare requirements of resignation and walk the extra mile and make the transition as smooth as possible.

Preferred choice

I always counsel my employees to convey their resignation decision in person. Although an email is enough to convey their decision to the management, an in-person conversation will help better understand the circumstances of their decision and if there is anything that I can do about it.

However, if you choose to send a resignation email instead of a one-to-one conversation or have to send a formal email once you have verbally conveyed your decision, here are a few appropriate subject lines to start with:

  • [Name] Resignation
  • Intent of Resignation
  • Resigning as of [Date] – [Name]

Whatever subject you choose, just remember to be direct.

Noelle Martin

Noelle Martin

Career and Workplace Editor, Mantelligence

When you resign, companies would expect a formal resignation letter. Still, email is the best option in some circumstances, especially when social-distancing practices are in place and with more employees working remotely.

Here are some in-depth and unique subject lines that will work best with resignation emails:

“Resignation Effective (insert date) – (insert name)”

Email subject lines often determine the importance of an email and how the recipient reacts. You want to be sure your subject line grabs your recipient’s attention so that it’s opened and read.

A straightforward message with an effective date adds urgency to the message and makes the objective clear. This leaves no room for misinterpretation.

“Intention of Resignation – (insert name)”

Depending on the outcome you are trying to achieve, advising the intent to resign suggests that the resignation is open for discussion. This may leave a chance for conversation and influence negotiation.

“Thank you for everything – Notice of Resignation”

If you had a negative experience working for your current employer, this is the best subject line. Saying thank you in the subject line allows you to get the obligation of ensuring you’re leaving on good terms out of the way, allowing you to leave the body of your email to be just the details.

“New Opportunity, My Contact Info, and Thanks”

A little unconventional but with an amicable tone, this one works by arousing a little curiosity. The recipient will get the idea of the intention but might be piqued about what new opportunity lays ahead for you. The subject line also gives you an outline of how your email would read.

Marcus Clarke

Marcus Clarke

Founder, Searchant.co

“Resignation Announcement- [Your Name]”

When you are quitting your job through email, it’s important to choose a very clear subject line that your manager will surely notice. You don’t want your resignation email to be unnoticed in a sea of emails your manager receives in a day.

Here are few subject lines you can use for a Resignation Email:

  • “Resignation Letter- [Your Name]”
  • “Resignation- [Your Name, Your Department]”
  • “Notice of Resignation- [Your Name]”
  • “Resigning as of [Date]- [Your Name]”
  • “Resignation Announcement- [Your Name]”
  • “Formal Resignation- [Your Name]”

Writing the word ‘resignation’ and your name could inform your manager what the email is all about and makes it easy to catch their attention. This will guarantee that your manager will read your note.

Branka Vuleta

Branka Vuleta

Founder and General Manager, Legaljobs

Even if you don’t have the most extraordinary relationship with your boss or you didn’t enjoy your time at the company, resignation via email should be avoided since it reflects a very unprofessional demeanor on your part. However, if you consider it necessary or even the only way you can possibly do it, go ahead.

So, you’ve already decided to let your manager know about your resignation, now the next step is thinking about how you’ll be structuring the email where you’ll tell them, and the first thing to determine is the subject line.

You must make sure your subject line is clear and straightforward, so there’s no room for confusion nor interpretation.

“Resignation from (department you’re currently in) – (your name)”

Stay as short and direct as possible, so you may do a subject line that looks something like this: “Resignation notice – (your name)” Emphasizing the word ‘resignation’ by putting it first is critical since, as said before, it leaves no room for confusion nor interpretation.

You could also add some more info in there like:

  • “Resignation from (department you’re currently in) – (your name)”
  • “Formal resignation from (department you’re currently in) as of today – (your name)”

Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson

Senior Employment Advisor, MintResume

In writing resignation emails, it is always best to be brief and direct to the point. The following are the usual subject lines for resignation email messages.

“Notice of Resignation – Your Name”

It is best to include the name of the employee in the subject line so that the superior will easily know who is resigning even without opening the email message.

“Notice of Resignation – Date of Effectivity”

This will provide clarity on when the employee is expected to leave the company.

“Thank You for Everything – Your Name”

If you want to be somewhat different, you can use this to not mention resignation in the subject line right away.

Jennifer L. Bennett

Jennifer L. Bennett

Owner, Law Office of Jennifer L. Bennett

“Announcement of resignation”

When you are thinking of resigning by email, it is important to add a subject line. I’m sure your manager receives thousands of emails every day, but if you add a subject line, your manager will definitely open it. So it is important that you add a clear and short subject line.

Here are some ideas to help you:

  • Notice of resignation.
  • Resignation.
  • Announcement of resignation.

By adding the term resignation, it is clear that your email is about resigning. When you make your intentions clear, it makes it less harsh for your manager to read the email. You can be polite while writing down an email so that they don’t misunderstand your intentions and can easily accept your resignation letter.

Eeksha Kohli

Eeksha Kohli

Global HR Professional | Program Director, Pinkcareers LLC

“Resignation – Employee number- First Name Last Name – Position Title – Last working Day”

I like this for three reasons:

  • It clearly states when you will be leaving the company (rather than saying two weeks from now or in 2 weeks) and makes sure you and your boss are on the same page regarding your official last day of work.
  • Your boss will likely forward the email to HR and further to Benefits, to payroll (for final settlement), to your employee file, etc. Having key information in the subject line makes it easier for everyone in the chain to the what, who, and when.
  • Employee number is needed, especially in a big company where multiple employees could have similar names.

Katherine Brown

Katherine Brown

Founder, Spyic

“Resignation Effective Immediately – Your Name”

It’s critical to utilize an obvious subject line when resigning from a job by email. You want your resignation email message to be opened and read by your manager right away, especially if you give no or short notice. It ensures that your manager or supervisor reads your email.

You don’t want to send a resignation email that ends up in the spam folder or never gets viewed. The following are examples of the best resignation email subject lines:

  • “Notice of Resignation – Your Name”
  • “Resignation Effective Immediately – Your Name”
  • “Resignation Announcement – Your Name”

Except for the retirement email, each instance uses the word “resignation” and your name. With both of these aspects in the subject line, your manager is unlikely to miss the news—even if they receive hundreds of emails each day.

Ché Köhler

Ché Köhler

Co-Founder, Nichemarket

“My Notice Of Resignation: Name & Surname”

Since I am an email marketer by trade, I’ve always had to consider subject lines, and I tend to apply those learnings to every email I send.

While modern email clients like your outlook and Gmail can render longer email subject lines, considering that some are opened on mobile devices, it’s always better to keep it short. Mobile displays tend to truncated display 30-40 characters, so making sure the crux of the mail is provided within that first 40 characters is essential.

Possible options would be:

  • “My Notice Of Resignation: Name & Surname”
  • “Submission of Resignation – Name & Surname”
  • “Announcement of Resignation – Name & Surname”

Christy Maria Jose

Christy Maria Jose

Senior Manager – People Ops, Fingent

“Intent to resign”

Having the best subject line is not necessarily the point of sending in the resignation mail. The goal is to inform the management of your decision to leave your position. To that end, a direct approach would be the most effective one.

Whatever the reasons you have for leaving a position, the email subject line should convey your intention clearly. Adding prose to it would be counterproductive. So, the simpler, the better.

Anything to the effect of “[Your Name] Resignation,” “Intent to resign,” Two weeks notice,” etc., would be fine.

The direct approach conveys your intention clearly. You can, if you want, go into more detail in the body of the email. There have been arguments for and against resignation via emails. I would recommend that you always talk with your respective manager about your decision before formally sending in the mail.

It’s just a nice way to go about it.

Paul Sherman

Paul Sherman

Chief Marketing Officer, Olive

“Notice of Resignation” followed by your full name

The best way to craft a subject line for a resignation email message is to keep it simple and concise. Subject lines should always convey the intention of the email clearly so that the recipient understands what to expect before they even open it.

For this reason, the best subject line for a resignation email should follow the format of “Notice of Resignation,” followed by your full name. It’s best practice to send this email only after having a conversation in person with your boss.

That way, your resignation doesn’t come as a surprise, and HR can prepare for your transition smoothly.

Jack Altmen

Jack Altmen

HR Manager, Think Orion

“Resignation Announcement and Why I took this Decision”

As an HR Manager, I receive at least four resignation emails in a year. The subject lines have always been very straightforward, but there were a few which were interesting and made me read the whole email.

These were the subject lines that I found to be very unique yet professional:

  1. Resignation Announcement and Why I took this Decision
  2. Resignation Effective Immediately – Reasons Included

Chris Caouette

Chris Caouette

Co-Founder, Gorilla Bow

“Completing my time with [Company Name]”

“Completing my time with [Company Name]” can be a good option for the subject line of a resignation email. It’s professional, direct, and the word “complete” has a more neutral tone rather than “leaving” or “quitting.”

Also, while making big announcements like this can feel scary and intense, it’s better not to start off this email with too much vagueness or timidity. For instance, if you simply wrote “Announcement” as the subject line, that would be okay, but it wouldn’t feel as authentic or confident.

Even if you’re planning on leaving the company or you may never see your manager or fellow teammates again, you still want to make sure that they are left with a strong impression of you in case any future career or networking opportunities arise that involve the need to contact them.

Sometimes this can come down to small things such as email subject lines.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How far in advance should I send my resignation email?

It’s recommended that you give your employer at least two weeks’ notice before your last working day. This is considered standard practice and can help ensure a smooth transition for you and your employer.

However, remember that the notice period may also depend on the type of work you do and the industry. For example, if you work in a specialized field or hold a high-level position, your employer may require a longer notice period to find a suitable replacement.

On the other hand, if you hold an entry-level position or work in an industry with high turnover rates, a shorter notice period may be more acceptable.

If you’re unsure how much notice to give, you can ask your supervisor or HR department for advice. They may have specific policies or procedures for providing notice and can advise you on the best course of action.

In either case, you must communicate your plans clearly and professionally. This can help maintain a positive relationship with your employer and leave a good impression, which may be necessary for future job references or networking opportunities.

Is there anything else I should keep in mind when submitting my resignation email?

Keep it professional: Remember that this is formal communication with your employer, so it’s essential to maintain a professional tone. Avoid using slang, emojis, or other informal expressions.

Be clear and concise: Your email should be clear and concise. Include your name, the date of your notice, and a brief thank you note.

Offer to help with the transition: Offer to help with the transition process by providing contact information for your successor or someone who can assist with any questions or concerns.

Provide feedback: If you feel comfortable, you can describe your experience at the company and offer suggestions for improvement. This can help the company improve its practices and leave a positive impression.

Be prepared for a response: Your employer may have questions or concerns about your termination. So be ready for a follow-up conversation or meeting to address these issues.

Maintain confidentiality: If you have confidential information or proprietary knowledge, you must respect any company policies or confidentiality agreements you may have signed.

Do I need to follow up after sending my resignation email?

It is a good idea to follow up after sending your resignation email. This can be done through a phone call or a face-to-face meeting. This will allow you to discuss any issues related to the resignation and ensure the message was received and accepted.

In addition, you can use this opportunity to exchange other information, such as contact information, for favorable references in case they are needed later. Be sure to remain professional and courteous during this conversation.

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