Last updated: January 2026
In this article: Should You Send a Goodbye Email? | 4 Dos | 3 Don’ts | Email Template | FAQs
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Whether you’ve accepted another position or are leaving voluntarily, you want to go out on a positive note—even if you’re not feeling great about the company. A thoughtful goodbye email leaves colleagues with a positive final impression and keeps your professional network intact.
But what exactly should you say? Who should receive it? When should you send it? Here are seven rules for saying goodbye when leaving your job, plus a template you can customize.
Should You Send a Goodbye Email When Leaving a Job?
Yes. Saying nothing can leave just as sour an impression as saying the wrong thing.
“Send a goodbye email to recognize you are leaving, and appreciate the experience you had there and the relationships you built,” says Carrie Stack, a certified life coach and founder of the Say Yes Institute. “People will remember that, and you never know who you will cross paths with again. Taking the high road always pays off.”
The media and professional world may seem large, but it’s surprisingly small. Being professional is essential to ending on a positive note—and keeping doors open for the future.
What to Do When Leaving Your Job
1. Write a Professional Message
Acknowledging your departure with class and grace matters. Your goodbye email should be warm but professional, thanking colleagues for the experience and relationships you’ve built during your time there.
“The goal is to not sound petty, small, or mean,” explains Catharine Bramkamp, author of Don’t Write Like You Talk. “You want to be the good guy, you want to be the confident one. You want the company to be really sorry they couldn’t keep you around.”
2. Gather Contacts for Future Networking
“Separate close professional relationships that you have nurtured from everything else and provide your forwarding information only to those in your professional relationship circle,” says Milan P. Yager, president and CEO of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations.
For coworkers you’ve built real relationships with, email them separately with your personal contact information—your personal email address or phone number. Stay connected on LinkedIn. Just because you no longer work together doesn’t mean you can’t maintain relationships outside the office.
3. Send the Message at the Right Time
Douglas Hardy, former general manager and editor of Monster Careers, offers this guidance:
- Want a clean, quick exit? Send the email on your last day
- Want handshakes and hugs? Send it a few days before you leave
A good rule of thumb: don’t let a weekend pass between your announcement and your departure.
4. Make Peace with Your Experience
Most people don’t always leave a job with the most positive experience. But what speaks volumes about your professionalism—regardless of how you feel about your employer—is how you go out.
“It is better to resist the temptation to use this last email message as a way to vent or to criticize,” warns Dr. Janet Civitelli, a workplace psychologist. “I recommend keeping the email positive and professional no matter what the circumstances surrounding the exit.”
What NOT to Do When Leaving Your Job
5. Don’t Trash Your Company on Social Media
Whether your experience was good or bad, never publicly discuss your job or company negatively on social media. Everything you post online can follow you forever, and potential employers won’t think highly of someone who uses the internet to put down a former employer.
Excited about your new job? Don’t post about it until you’ve given your two weeks’ notice and your company is well aware you’re leaving. You don’t want to burn bridges—especially on Twitter or LinkedIn.
6. Don’t Go Into Details About Why You’re Leaving
Your goodbye email should be friendly but vague about your reasons for departing. Donna Flagg, workplace expert and author of Surviving Dreaded Conversations, says mentioning a relocation is harmless, but otherwise, leave the reasons alone.
Keep it simple: “I’m moving on to a new opportunity” is sufficient.
7. Don’t Violate Your Company’s Email Policy
Sandra E. Lamb, author of How to Write It, says farewell emails to close contacts should go to their personal email accounts. Many organizations have strict email policies that can create problems.
Hardy recommends letting your supervisor know you plan to tell colleagues about your departure, especially if you’re using company email. “If there’s any problem with the company email policy about this, it’s up to your manager to let you know,” he notes.
Goodbye Email Template
Here’s a template you can customize for your own farewell message:
Subject: Thank You and Farewell
Hi everyone,
I wanted to let you know that [today is my last day / Friday will be my last day] at [Company Name]. I’ve accepted a new opportunity and am excited about the next chapter, but I’ll truly miss working with this team.
Thank you for [specific positive memory or general appreciation—e.g., “making the past three years such a great experience” or “your support on the XYZ project”]. I’ve learned so much here and am grateful for the relationships we’ve built.
I’d love to stay in touch! You can reach me at [personal email] or connect with me on LinkedIn.
Wishing you and the team continued success.
Best,
[Your Name]
For Closer Colleagues (Separate Email)
Subject: Staying in Touch
Hey [Name],
As you may have heard, I’m leaving [Company Name]—my last day is [date]. I wanted to reach out personally because working with you has been one of the highlights of my time here.
I’d really like to stay connected. Here’s my personal info:
Email: [personal email]
Phone: [phone number]
LinkedIn: [URL]
Let’s grab coffee sometime soon!
Best,
[Your Name]
Quick Reference: Goodbye Email Dos and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Keep it positive and professional | Vent about problems or bad experiences |
| Thank colleagues for specific experiences | Go into detail about why you’re leaving |
| Share personal contact info with close colleagues | Trash the company on social media |
| Check with your manager before sending | Violate company email policies |
| Send at the right time (last day or a few days before) | Announce your new job before giving notice |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I send a goodbye email when leaving my job?
Yes. A brief, professional farewell email leaves colleagues with a positive impression and keeps your professional network intact. Saying nothing can leave just as negative an impression as saying the wrong thing.
When should I send my goodbye email?
If you want a quick, clean exit, send it on your last day. If you’d like time for handshakes and conversations, send it a few days before you leave. Don’t let a weekend pass between your announcement and departure.
How do I tell my coworkers I’m leaving?
For most colleagues, a general farewell email works well. For closer work friends, send a separate, more personal message with your contact information. Always tell your manager first before announcing to the broader team.
What should I say in a goodbye email?
Keep it brief and positive. Thank colleagues for specific experiences or general support, mention that you’re moving on to a new opportunity (without excessive detail), and share your personal contact information for those who want to stay in touch.
What should I NOT say in a goodbye email?
Don’t vent about negative experiences, criticize management, or go into detail about why you’re leaving. Even if your experience wasn’t great, keep the tone positive—you never know when you’ll cross paths with these people again.
Should I use my work email or personal email?
Use your work email for the general farewell announcement (with your manager’s approval). For close colleagues you want to stay connected with, follow up by email with your contact details.
No one said goodbye when I left my last job—is that normal?
Unfortunately, it happens more often than you’d think, especially in remote or hybrid workplaces. Don’t take it personally—people get busy, and your departure may have coincided with a hectic period. Focus on the relationships that matter and reach out directly to colleagues you want to stay connected with.
Can I post about my new job on social media?
Wait until you’ve given notice and your current company is fully aware you’re leaving. Announcing a new job before your employer knows you’re departing can damage your professional reputation and burn bridges.
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