
The practice of writing a farewell letter is a gesture of courtesy, and sometimes a business necessity. In this article, you’ll learn how to write one effectively.
There’s bound to be a time in your life when you’re going to have to bid farewell to someone. It could be a friend, a client, a boss, or a colleague. At such a time, it is a good practice to write a farewell letter to the person leaving. This way, the person will have something tangible to remember you by. And that’s what a farewell is all about, isn’t it? Wishing the person love and luck in any endeavor that he may pursue.
How to Write a Farewell Letter
Writing a farewell letter to colleagues can be a very easy task. Especially if you follow the basic tips that are enlisted below. Also given below is a sample that you can refer to.
Know the Person: If you’re planning to write a farewell letter to a workmate, then the first thing you need to keep in mind is that you actually KNOW the person. A farewell letter, though formal at times, will mean a lot to the person it is written for. And if you don’t know the person, the letter will definitely come across as fake, and nothing is more disheartening than receiving a pretentious farewell letter.
Decide What to Write: Alright, so we’re assuming you know the person on a personal or at least a professional level. Once you know the person, you need to study his or her personality in a way by which you can decide what attributes of the person you can use in the letter. You can decide which qualities, personal and professional to highlight. In a professional letter, obviously focus on the person’s professional abilities. But in an informal one, you can take the liberty of being a little more casual.
Write it: So, you know the person and you know what to write. Now, let’s get to the writing part. Begin with a fresh mind. If it’s a formal letter, then you can follow a basic format of
- Date
- Name of Writer
- Address of Writer
- Name of Addressee
- Salutation: Dear ________
- First Paragraph: Introduce why you’re writing the letter.
- Second Paragraph: Describe the person, as you perceive him or her. Emphasize on the favorable professional qualities that he possesses, and that he will be missed.
- Third Paragraph: Once again, state that he will be missed, but wish him the best of luck in everything that he does and will do.
- Closing Salutation: Sincerely, _________
Sample: Read the sample given below to get an idea as to how to go about it.
10/19/2010
Joshua Kingston, To, Dear Emily, I got to know from Human Resources that you will be leaving the company next week. I’m writing this letter to bid you farewell and wish you luck for the future. But before that, I wish to tell you that you have been an excellent co-worker and friend. I remember when I joined ACF, you were my trainer, and you helped me with all the silly questions I had. If it wasn’t for you, I would not have been able to reach the position that I am in today. So, I want to thank you for being an exceptional coach, and more importantly, an excellent friend. As you leave the company, you must know that you will be missed, on a professional as well as a personal level. Also, I’d like to wish you all the very best for all of your future endeavors. Good luck and God bless! Sincerely, |
That was the lowdown on writing a farewell letter to someone who is leaving. It can also be written the other way round, that is from a person who is leaving to the ones he is leaving. So, based on the situation, you can decide the way you want to go about it.