A goodbye email is a networking tool that helps you maintain positive relationships with colleagues and employers after you quit your job. These emails are standard in business communication, helping you demonstrate politeness and professionalism.
In this article, we’re going to teach you how to write professional goodbye emails using step-by-step guides and real examples. By the end, you’ll know how to cordially part ways with your colleagues, clients, and bosses. Let’s get started.
Key Takeaways
You should write and submit your goodbye email one or two days before leaving.
Ensure a precise subject line, keep the tone positive, specify your last day, include your contact details, and personalize the message.
Your goodbye email should be brief, polite, and professional, and you should offer your company and clients assistance with the transition.
Sending a well-written goodbye email is great for networking purposes, and it gives you and your colleagues closure.
How to Write a Professional Goodbye Email
Let’s learn how to employ your communication skills to write a professional goodbye email that resonates with the reader and enhances your networking efforts.
#1. Do It at the Right Time
Timing your goodbye email correctly is essential to maximizing its impact. Firstly, you should send your goodbye email after you’ve submitted your two weeks’ notice. Typically, it’s best to send a goodbye email during your last day in the office or a day before.
However, if you’re on a delicate project or frequently work with clients, you should email relevant parties your goodbye in advance. You want to leave them enough room to adjust to the change and ask any questions they might have.
Also, remember that if you’re using a company email or communication platform, you’ll be locked out of those when you leave. Keep that in mind when planning when to send your goodbye email.
#2. Carefully Craft Your Goodbye Email Subject Line
A well-written goodbye email subject line ensures that the recipients read it. Due to the time-sensitive nature of the message, you want a distinct subject line that the recipient will understand the moment they see it.
Here are some examples of solid subject lines:
Solid Subject Lines
Moving on
My last day
Thank you
Keep in touch
Farewell and heartfelt thanks
#3. Keep It Positive
Your goodbye email should be warm and positive. You want to send a heartfelt note expressing your gratitude and appreciation. This is important for networking and will help solidify good relationships with colleagues and supervisors.
Even if you have disagreements and aren’t on the best terms with everyone in the company, you shouldn’t use your goodbye email to vent. Instead, you should tame your ego and wrap up your goodbye email with good wishes.
#4. Specify Your Last Day
The people you send your goodbye email to should know when your last day in the company is. You want to give them time to process the information and maybe respond to it or contact you while you’re still there. Some coworkers or clients might also have some final questions about work and would need your clarification.
#5. Include Your Contact Information
Your work email, phone number, and messaging accounts will be gone after you leave the company, so you want to include personal contact information in your goodbye email. That way, anyone can contact you after you’ve left.
You don’t have to write an entire section, like for your resume contact information, but you can include your personal email, phone number, LinkedIn profile, and other social media accounts. You can also ask your colleagues for their details and write them down before losing access to company communication channels.
#6. Personalize Your Message
A goodbye email is most effective when the message is personal and tailored to a specific individual. This is particularly important when sending an email to your boss, manager, or close colleagues. You want to address them personally, and your writing should be unique, with mentions of specific projects you worked on or moments you shared together.
Sending a singular email to the entire company is best reserved for coworkers with whom you’re not particularly close.
3 Goodbye Email Examples for Your Colleagues
Here are three different examples of goodbye emails to colleagues that vary depending on your relationship with them.
Goodbye Email Sent to a Colleague You’re Close With
Let’s start with a goodbye email sample sent to coworkers you’re really close with. These individuals are your closest friends in the office, and your connection extends far beyond work.
Here’s an example of what your email could look like:
Goodbye Email Sent to a Colleague You’re Close With Example
Hey [Name],
As you already know, I’ll be leaving [Company Name] on [date].
While I’m off to new adventures, I’ll miss crunching numbers and hunting deadlines with you. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed our time working together, and I’ll never stop retelling the events of [a mutual funny moment or an exciting project you worked on together] to the people I meet.
You already have my number and email, so don’t hesitate to give me a call whenever you want to, whether to unwind, have a cup of coffee, or anything else.
It’s been great working together, and I hope our professional paths cross again in the future!
All the best, [Your Name]
Goodbye Email Sent to a Colleague You Occasionally Worked With
Let’s see how you can write a goodbye email to coworkers with whom you’ve periodically interacted and collaborated. This can often happen in large companies with many employees working in different teams.
Here’s an example:
Goodbye Email Sent to a Colleague You Occasionally Worked With Example
Hello [Name],
As you may have already heard, I am leaving [Company Name], and my last day will be [date].
It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with you all these years, so I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your support and collaboration. I am truly grateful for all the knowledge and moments we shared. [Optionally, mention something specific, whether it’s a topic you frequently discussed or a project you collaborated on].
While I look forward to the next chapter in my professional career, I will miss you and the team. Please don’t hesitate to stay in touch. You already have my phone number and email.
All the best, [Your Name]
Goodbye Email Sent to the Rest of Your Colleagues
Now, here’s a goodbye email sent to the rest of your colleagues whom you know to a degree but with whom you haven’t spent much time:
Goodbye Email Sent to the Rest of Your Colleagues Example
To my colleagues at [Company Name],
I wanted to let you know that I’ve accepted the offer at another company, and my last day at [Company Name] will be this Friday, [date].
While preparing to leave, I took the time to reflect on the experiences and work with all of you. You made my time here meaningful. I’ve learned lessons that will last me a lifetime, and the relationships I built with you are invaluable.
[First and last name] is now in charge of [project], but feel free to reach out to me if you have any final questions. Also, I’d love to stay in touch, so you can always contact me at [personal email address] or [phone number].
Best regards, [Your Name]
Goodbye Email Example to Your Boss
Your goodbye email to a boss should be appreciative, personal, and professional, regardless of your relationship with them. Your goal is to part ways with your boss on good terms, as your paths can cross again in the future.
Here’s an example of a goodbye email sent to a boss:
Goodbye Email Example to Your Boss Example
Dear [Name],
As you know, today is my final day with [Company Name]. I want to express my sincere gratitude for your support and mentorship in the past [XX years or months].
Working under your leadership helped me become the professional I am today, and I wanted to send you a personal note to say how much I enjoyed my time here. I am excited to apply everything you’ve taught me as a [job title] in my next role, and going forward, I know I’ll keep reflecting on my time here.
I hope we can keep in touch, so please don’t hesitate to contact me at [personal email address] or [phone number].
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Goodbye Email Example to the Clients
A goodbye email to clients gives them a heads-up that you’ll be leaving the company. It should specify who will replace you in the company and should typically be sent earlier than other goodbye emails to give clients enough room to adjust.
Here’s an example:
Goodbye Email Example to the Clients Example
Hello [Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to inform you that I’ll be leaving my position as [job title] at [Company Name], and my last day will be [date].
I thoroughly enjoyed working with you all these years, and I want to thank you for your continued trust and pleasant collaboration. I am proud of all our work on [specific project], and I believe my colleagues will continue to provide the excellent service you’re used to.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need assistance during the transition period. [Colleague replacing you] will be your new point of contact, and they will reach out soon.
Wishing you all the best, [Your Name]
4 Tips for Writing and Sending a Goodbye Email
Here are four tips to improve your writing and enhance the impact of your goodbye email:
Mention key moments. Recall some of your finest moments with the colleague or supervisor to whom you’re sending a goodbye email. That can be anything from an inside joke you shared and remembered to a challenging task you completed with them. This shows appreciation for the other person and makes them feel valued.
Be clear and concise. A thank you and goodbye email shouldn’t be a long read. You want to state that you’re leaving, include your last day, and mention relevant details without adding too much unnecessary information.
Offer to help before you leave. Demonstrate responsibility by offering to help colleagues and clients before you leave. This includes answering their questions, wrapping up your involvement with projects, helping your replacement get up to speed, etc.
Proofread before sending. Make sure to check every goodbye email for typos and grammatical errors to convey professionalism and emphasize strong writing skills.
3 Reasons Why You Should Send a Goodbye Email
There are several good reasons why you should take the time to write and send a goodbye email. Let’s see what they are.
Professional Networking
A goodbye email maintains your relationship with coworkers and supervisors from the company you’re leaving. Your effort to give a proper farewell signals that you value these relationships.
This is excellent for professional networking as it fosters goodwill among your peers. It leaves the door open for future collaboration and helps with professional references.
Smooth Transition
When you send a goodbye email to your coworkers and clients, you inform them of the upcoming change and tell them how to proceed going forward. This helps your company, team, and clients to transition smoothly in your absence.
That’s why it’s crucial to briefly share essential information, such as who will be taking your place in the company, who your colleagues or clients can contact for more details, etc.
Closure
A well-written and heartfelt goodbye email provides closure for you and the recipients. It’s a thoughtful moment that gives you the opportunity to remember the time spent with colleagues. You can express your appreciation while allowing others to respond and wish you well.
Final Thoughts
A goodbye email is not just a polite gesture and a cordial farewell; it’s a vital networking tool that emphasizes your professionalism. Use it to show gratitude and appreciation for the people you spent time with and leave a lasting good impression on them, ensuring you stay in touch.
Remember to end it on a positive note and offer your help if you can. That way, a simple act of saying goodbye can help you reinforce professional (and even personal) relationships that can last a lifetime!
