Tell your manager before the letter lands
Whenever you can, have a brief conversation with your manager first — in person or by call — then send the written letter to confirm it. Finding out that a direct report is leaving from an HR ticket or an email CC is the kind of thing managers remember, and your reference lives with them. The letter that follows the conversation can be short precisely because the news isn't a surprise.
Who to address it to (and who to CC)
Address the letter to your manager by name. CC HR — or your manager's manager if there's no HR — so the notice is on the official record and your final-pay and benefits process can begin. Keep the body to the essentials: that you're resigning, your last working day as an exact date, and an offer to help with the transition. Save reasons and feedback for a separate conversation or your exit interview, not this document.
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Create My Letter — $9Common questions
Should I tell my manager or HR first?
Tell your direct manager first, then notify HR — usually by CC'ing them on the written letter. Managers generally expect to hear it from you directly before it becomes official paperwork.
Do I address my resignation letter to my manager or HR?
Address it to your manager by name and CC HR. Your manager is the person you report to and the one who'll act on your departure; HR needs it for the record and the offboarding process.
Should I resign in person or in writing?
Both, ideally: a brief conversation first, then a written letter or email to confirm. The conversation is courteous; the written notice is the dated record that protects you.
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WriteMyNotice.com is a self-help document preparation service, not a law firm, and this page is general information, not legal advice. Employment situations vary, and your offer letter, employment contract, or company handbook may set specific notice terms — always check yours. For significant matters, such as a contract dispute or an unsafe workplace, consult a licensed employment attorney in your state.