A farewell letter to clients after resignation is a formal message sent to your previous customers informing them that you will be leaving the company and will, therefore, not be their point of contact. The letter is designed to be informative and should not sound like a pitch to poach the client from your former employer. It should also only be sent with the approval of your boss.
Ending a relationship, even a professional one, is never easy. But when you leave your job, it is only courteous that you inform your clients you will no longer be working with them. The following tips and examples letters should help you draft a farewell message to your clients.
Importance of Sending a Farewell Email
It would be so easy just to pack up your desk and leave your old job at the end of your time there, but, chances are, most people will not appreciate it. A farewell message to the people affected by your resignation is more than standard practice; it is professional and courteous. Besides this, it also leaves the door open for future communication.
Structuring Your Letter
Before drafting a farewell letter to clients after resignation, you should check with your employer. Some companies bar employees from communicating their leaving a company to a client, especially if there is the risk the client could follow you. Only send your message after you receive the green light from management and ensure it does the following:
- Recaps the important details of your resignation
- Thank the client
- Introduces your replacement to the client
- Prepares the client for the transition process.
Tips for Writing a Farewell Message to Clients
Consider the following tips when deciding when to send your letter and what to say in it:
- Always check with management before writing to a client about leaving a company.
- Once you have the go-ahead, send the letter at least a day or two before you leave.
- Use an informative and catchy subject line.
- Thank the client for their cooperation during your time together
- Use a positive and optimistic tone.
- Include your contact information and a natural call to action that doesn’t sound like a poaching line
- Keep your letter short, professional, and to the point.
Farewell Letter to Clients After Resignation (Format)
{Date}
{Client’s Name}
{Client’s Formal Address}
{City, State, Zip Code}
Re: Leaving {Company Name}
Dear {Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name},
I am writing to inform you that I will no longer be your point of contact with {company name} as of {date} as I will be resigning from my position as {job title}. This move will not affect our service provision in the least as {replacement’s name} will be taking over your account. {Replacement’s last name} is a {mention qualifications and why they are good for the job}.
Working with you these {duration} has been an absolute pleasure. Thank you for a great business relationship and your cooperation. As I leave {company name}, I sincerely hope {mention hope for the future}. If need be, you can contact me at {contact information}.
Thank you, once again, and all the best.
Sincerely,
{Your Name}
{Your Signature}
Sample Farewell Letter to Clients After Resignation
4 February 2021
Hassan Grey
230 Miles Street
Atlanta, GA 21110
Re: Leaving Founder’s Cooperation
Dear Mr. Grey,
As I informed you in my last email, I will be resigning from my position as acquisitions manager at Founder’s Cooperation on 6 February 2021. I am writing to thank you for your support during my five years of handling your account, and wish you the best in your future with the company.
Please don’t fear that your account will go unmanaged. My replacement, John Yule, has been my assistant for the five years I have been handling your account and is well acquainted with your portfolio.
If you wish to further discuss this matter or reach me in the future, you can contact me at melliasmith@email.com.
Thank you, once again, and all the best.
Sincerely,
Melissa Smith
Goodbye Email to Clients after Resignation (Word Template)
Key Takeaways
Leaving a company through resignation gives you a chance to begin a new chapter of your career. While you are anxious to make new connections, you should also take care to maintain the ones you have with your clients. This means sending a well-written farewell letter to clients after resignation addressing your resignation, facilitating the transition, and offering to continue communication.
The key is to remain professional but express gratitude for having worked with the client. You also want to keep your message short, accurate, and on topic.