How To Write A Goodbye Email?
Whatever may be the reason for you to leave the company, it is always a good idea to bid farewell on a positive note. A simple goodbye email will help you project an appropriate image of yourself in front of your colleagues. Moreover, maintaining professional relations can prove to be really beneficial for you in the long term, in case your paths cross again in the future.
In this blog, we are going to discuss some important tips on writing a perfect goodbye email.
What is a goodbye email?
A goodbye email is a concise, informal message that you send to your colleagues, boss or clients, notifying them of your departure. It generally involves a few lines about your experience in the workplace, sharing the contact details, and any other message you want to convey before you leave.
Note: A goodbye email is different from a resignation letter. A resignation email is usually addressed to the boss wherein you ask them to relieve you from the job.
Tips for writing a goodbye email
Let us take a look at tips that you must take into consideration before writing a goodbye email.
1. Formal and brief message
Keep your farewell email formal when addressing the entire staff. Ensure that it is clear, concise, and conveys the message properly. Start with saying thank you, and then proceed with talking about the motive behind your mail.
2. Timing
The time of your farewell email actually matters a lot. The best time is to send it on your last working day, just a few hours before you leave. Clear all your paperwork and be at your desk to greet anyone who comes to say goodbye to you.
3. Express gratitude
Write a few lines about your experience and express gratitude towards your colleagues. This will help you leave office on a positive note. Since it is a farewell email, avoid involving personal issues that you may have. Instead, talk about what you like the best in the office.
Example:
‘What a pleasure it was to work with you on the XYZ project, which helped me learn the nuances of {domain}’
4. Send separate mail to boss
It is always a good idea to send a separate email to your boss. Discuss everything properly, from the date of departure to why you are leaving.
5. Subject line
Depending on the person you are writing email to, you can decide on the subject line. It should be able to convey the ominous nature of your message without being too alarming.
Example:
Wrong ❌
‘This is it’, ‘Finally I’m leaving’, ‘I am done.’
Right ✔️
‘Bidding you adieu’, ‘Here’s to the good days’, ‘Saying goodbye with fond memories’
6. The next chapter
It is a good idea to mention what you are planning to do next. However, don’t be boastful or boring. Describe your next endeavour vaguely but in a way that makes it sound incredible.
Example:
Wrong ❌
‘I am happy to tell you that I will be joining [Company name] which I think is a better place for me.’
Right ✔️
‘I will be following my passion for travelling.’
‘I wish to explore new ventures and cutting edge technology.’
1. A balanced approach
Be careful when you write a goodbye email. A balanced approach is what you need. No matter how much you want to show off your next job, talking too much about it may invite resentment from your peers. It is better to be humble and to the point when writing farewell emails.
Example:
Wrong
“I would like to inform you that I am leaving this company at the end of this week. I will be joining as a [position] in [Company name], and I am really excited for upcoming challenges.”
Right
“I am writing this to inform you that today is my last day at [Company name]. I want to thank you for your unending support.”
Talk about work
Add a paragraph that talks about the project details. Update both your colleagues and clients about the handover and the latest development in your project. Detail the outline of duties and discuss any pending work that needs to be taken care of.
Example:
‘I will always remember the challenges and learning we experienced during the [Project name] project. It will remain a highlight in my career, and I want to thank you for providing me with this opportunity.
Get personal
If you are writing a farewell letter to your internal team, be more casual about your approach. You can mention the names of your good friends and recall the times when you had fun at work. You can also personalize your letter and send them individually. This way, you can not only reflect on your time together but also ore meaning to your farewell letter.
Example: ‘I hope you all keep achieving greater successes in the future. I will remember everyone, especially you [Colleague name you all make fun of]! I still have mixed feeling for your ‘never say die’ spirit that always has annoyed and inspired me at the same time!
Don’t cut the ties
Make sure that you have mentioned the right email address and contact number in the mail. This is so that your colleagues can reach out to you anytime. If you don’t want to keep in touch with the entire office, write contact details in separate emails and send it to the concerned people.