The Proper Way to Resign
 
Once a new job has been accepted, you need to consider is the timing of your resignation. Since two weeks’ notice is considered the norm, make sure your resignation properly coincides with your start date at the new company.

Some companies will make your exit plans for you.  In some cases companies will relieve the employee immediately upon hearing their resignation; while others will try to convince the employee to stay for a month until they can find a replacement.  You owe them the courtesy of two weeks… no more.  

Your resignation should be handled in person, preferably on a Friday afternoon. Ask your direct supervisor if you can speak with him privately in his office. When you announce your intention to resign, you should also hand your supervisor a letter which states your last date of employment with the company. Let him know that you’ve enjoyed working with him, but that an opportunity came along that you couldn’t pass up, and that your decision to leave was made carefully, and doesn’t reflect any negative feelings you have toward the company, toward him/her or the team.

You should also add that your decision is final, and that you would prefer not to be made a counteroffer, and that you’ll do everything in your power to make your departure as smooth and painless as possible.

Finally, ask if there’s anything you can do during the transition period over the next two weeks, such as help train your successor, tie up loose ends, or delegate tasks.

Keep your resignation letter short, simple, and to the point. There’s no need to go into detail about your new job, or what led to your decision to leave. If these issues are important to your old employer, they will schedule an exit interview for you. Be sure to provide a copy of your resignation letter for your company’s personnel file. This way, the circumstances surrounding your resignation will be well documented for future reference.