How to Write a Goodbye Email

Crafting a farewell letter to colleagues becomes much simpler once you understand the purpose behind writing a goodbye email.

A farewell email to coworkers can enhance your career prospects. How? Well, on your final day at work, you could opt for a quick exit with a triumphant cheer. However, consider the implications for your future endeavors, particularly the importance of maintaining professional connections (a.k.a. networking).

Every coworker has the potential to be the next Bill Gates or Indra Nooyi. Any one of them could hold the key to your future dream job. This is why a goodbye letter isn’t merely a suggestion—it’s essential.

This guide will cover:

– Crafting a farewell email that strengthens professional relationships.
– Providing a sample goodbye email to coworkers that you can adapt and utilize.
– Offering over 10 exemplary farewell email examples for various types of colleagues.
– Explaining why a farewell letter might be your most strategic career move yet.

The Secret Behind the Best Goodbye Letters

Understanding the purpose behind writing a farewell email is crucial.

A farewell letter, or a goodbye email to coworkers, serves one primary objective:

To demonstrate respect.

Respect not only nurtures your soul but also cultivates your career.

Extensive research indicates that networking significantly boosts salary growth, job performance, and career contentment.

Need evidence?

Consider Elle Torres, who secured a six-figure job opportunity through networking despite having an unfinished degree.

Where did this lucrative offer originate? It stemmed from a connection she had cultivated over the years.

You never know where your dream job might emerge from.

Bear this in mind as you compose your farewell letter to coworkers. With this perspective, your writing decisions will naturally align.

Now, having reviewed the exemplary farewell letter sample above, allow me to elucidate why it is effective and provide insights on crafting a compelling goodbye email to coworkers:

Select the Appropriate Structure for Your Farewell Letter to Colleagues

How to compose a farewell email to coworkers:

Opt for concise, personalized farewell emails that strengthen interpersonal connections.

Treat each coworker as a potential future leader like Tim Cook or Mary Barra. (They could be!)

Keep it Concise
Verbose farewell emails on your last day suggest self-centeredness rather than genuine concern for others.

To convey the right farewell sentiment, keep it brief:

– Three paragraphs
– Seven to eight sentences
– Approximately 150 words

Choose a Farewell Email—Not a Farewell Letter
Why forgo sending a traditional farewell business letter upon departure?

Printed business letters carry weight and imply significance. They convey the message, “I matter.”

Your aim is for coworkers to feel valued.

For emphasis on fostering relationships, opt for brief, informal emails.

Avoid Sending Group Emails
What better way to undermine individual significance than a group email?

Commence with a casual salutation, such as:

– Hi Tim,
– Dear Francine,
– Hey Sheryl,
– Hello Arnold,

Then tailor each farewell email to the respective coworker.

Avoid Focusing on Yourself in a Goodbye Email to Colleagues

Uncertain about how to initiate a farewell letter?

Consider this: What if one of your connections turns out to be the next Sheryl Sandberg?

With 27 million entrepreneurs in the U.S., statistically, 1 in 10 individuals you encounter could potentially become a future business leader. This number increases further when considering C-Suite executives.

Your objective?

Demonstrate your awareness of this fact in your farewell letter.

Briefly acknowledge your anticipation for your future endeavors, then swiftly transition to discussing what you’ll be leaving behind.

The following two examples of goodbye emails to coworkers illustrate the difference between the right and wrong approach.

CORRECT
Dear Sheryl,

As you’re aware, I’ll be departing from my role as a graphic designer at Redinger & Hoff, with my last day being August 12th.

While I’m eager to embark on this new journey, I wanted to express my gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with you.

In this example of a farewell email to coworkers, the focus remains on the present workplace, maintaining a level of professionalism and respect.

INCORRECT
Dear Sheryl,

I’m thrilled to announce my transition to a new career opportunity. While I’ve cherished my time here, this new role at XYZ Co. is truly a dream come true for me. The salary, benefits, and team culture are unparalleled. Additionally, my 401K will be fully vested in six months, allowing me to…

Ouch. That’s a tough one. This kind of farewell email to coworkers could stir up some negative feelings, as it comes across as self-centered and insensitive.

Craft a Memorable Farewell Email by Demonstrating the Value Your Coworkers Hold

How do you express appreciation for a relationship?

You could simply state it.

However, that might seem generic.

Instead, employ specifics in your farewell email to coworkers.

Concrete details demonstrate the significance of your coworker.

Observe the vast contrast between these two examples of farewell letters to colleagues:

Observe the stark contrast between these two examples of farewell letters to colleagues:

CORRECT
Your insights were instrumental in our team’s success in winning the CSS Design Award. Your mentorship has facilitated my growth as a designer in unforeseen ways. Moreover, you introduced me to my newfound favorite book—The Art of Looking Sideways.

This farewell email effectively utilizes specific details to convey appreciation.

However, the following example falls short:

INCORRECT
I deeply value our relationship and appreciate your contributions. You’ve been an outstanding coworker, and I’ll always cherish our time together.

Yes, it’s generic. It doesn’t make me feel special. Does it make you feel special? Not with that farewell letter.

To convey the significance of a coworker, consider mentioning one or two of the following:

– Something valuable you’ve learned from them.
– The benefits you’ve gained from the relationship.
– A shared interest or experience.
– A way in which they’ve assisted you.
– A humorous moment or memorable experience shared together.

In each farewell email to coworkers, incorporate 2–3 of these specific elements to express your appreciation effectively.

Say You’d Like to Keep the Relationship Alive

Picture this scenario—

Three years have passed, and you find yourself without a job.

Suddenly, the phone rings. It’s a former coworker. She inquires if you would consider a lucrative job opportunity.

The most effective farewell email to coworkers keeps the door open for future possibilities.

Discover how in the following example of a farewell email to coworkers:

CORRECT
Even as I embark on a new journey, I carry with me invaluable lessons from our time together. I would genuinely appreciate staying connected. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for any reason via my personal email ([email protected]) or mobile phone (904-451-1014).

Warm regards,

Kiara Shertick

This farewell letter conveys genuine warmth, indicating that your colleague holds a special place in your circle.

However, the following example falls short:

INCORRECT
Let’s stay in touch! You can connect with me on LinkedIn or use the contact information provided below. Thank you and farewell.

Best regards,

Kiara Shertick

Conclude Your Farewell Email to Coworkers by Providing Abundant Contact Information

Fantastic.

You’ve just received a referral for a lucrative job opportunity.

Where did it originate? From a former coworker and a farewell email.

By providing ample contact information in your goodbye email to coworkers, you achieved two objectives:

1. Facilitated easy access for your former coworker to reach out to you.
2. Made your former coworker feel appreciated and valued.

Best Farewell Email Examples for Different Coworkers

You can begin each goodbye email to coworkers with the same template.

A farewell letter typically includes the following components:

1. A salutation, such as Dear, Hi, Hello, Hey,
2. A reminder of your departure and the date.
3. Mention of a few specific details highlighting why you value them.
4. An offer to stay in touch.
5. Abundant contact information.

Step #3 will vary for each recipient. Here are several examples of goodbye letters to guide you:

To a Coworker:
Express appreciation for a positive attribute. Focus on a strength the individual values about themselves.
Example: “You possess a unique ability—reading the room. I recall when upper management pushed to lock in Innotech as a supplier, and you advocated for us. Your insight saved us tens of thousands that year, a skill I’ve sought to emulate.”

To a Direct Report:
Acknowledge the individual’s strengths, particularly those that have had a positive impact.
Example: “Your optimistic demeanor brightened our days. Following the loss of the Klimson account, your cheerful attitude and attentiveness redirected our focus towards new business opportunities.”

To a Manager:
Express gratitude towards your manager, highlighting their beneficial guidance or support.
Example: “Your willingness to explain your decisions rather than simply declining my request to purchase new editing software truly resonated with me. Your insights have provided me with invaluable tools for making informed decisions.”

To a Senior Employee or Executive:
Acknowledge gestures of kindness or support that have made a lasting impression.
Example: “The unexpected Amazon gift card you sent may have seemed insignificant to you, but it left a lasting impact on me. Your thoughtful gesture exemplifies the familial atmosphere this company fosters.”

To Those You Don’t Know Well:
Express appreciation for the collaboration and highlight positive contributions.
Example: “It was a pleasure collaborating with you on the Cloud Management project. Your ideas and insights significantly contributed to its success.”

To a Client:
Express gratitude for the professional relationship and any personal connections.
Example: “I’ve greatly enjoyed our partnership over the past four years. Your business has been invaluable, and our discussions about fly fishing have been equally enjoyable.”