I’ve been there: endless hours, zero career progress, and a boss who acts more like a dictator than a mentor. By the time you’re ready to leave, you’re torn between telling the harsh truth or keeping it polite. The truth? You can do both.

It’s easy to slip into those standard resignation tropes — “thank you for the wonderful opportunities” — even when your biggest takeaway was learning what not to do. Still, you never know when you’ll need that reference, so it’s worth keeping things civil. A little honest spin doesn’t hurt, though. Who says you can’t be polite and hint at the real reasons you’re jumping ship?

When I write a resignation letter, I keep the essentials simple: state my position and exit date, then say something positive (and brief) about my time there. Maybe a single project stands out as semi-enjoyable. Maybe you appreciate having learned something — like how to dodge micromanagers or survive gossip-laden break rooms. Keep it factual, keep it short, but keep it real.

I always recommend addressing the dealbreakers indirectly. If the schedule was inflexible to the point of absurdity, I say I’m looking for better work-life balance. If the culture was suffocating, I say I need a more dynamic environment. Basically, tell the truth, just in a way that won’t provoke a dramatic meltdown in HR.

Offering transition help is standard. You might be picturing a triumphant exit with your name on the door swinging behind you, but it’s good form to say you’ll stick around to wrap up loose ends. It’s the high road, even if part of you is quietly chanting, “Good luck replacing me.” And yes, you can end on a polite note, even if your inner voice is screaming how glad you are to leave.

Here’s how that resignation might read:

In the end, a resignation letter isn’t the place for brutal honesty. It’s more like a formal nod to the job you’re leaving behind. You deserve the freedom to move on without carrying bitterness in your wake. Write that letter with grace, slip in some genuine truths, and walk out knowing you’re leaving on your own terms. You’ll thank yourself later.

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