- A goodbye message is a farewell note to your coworkers when you leave your job, signifying the end of your time working together.
- Your goodbye message should be short, acknowledge what you’ve learned, mention your last day, and include your contact information.
- If leaving on unfavorable terms, keep your goodbye message professional and neutral, avoiding unnecessary details or negativity.
- Sending a goodbye message helps maintain positive relationships, which can be beneficial for future networking and career opportunities.
- It’s best to send the message the day before or the morning of your last day to allow colleagues time to respond.
Leaving a job can be both exciting and bittersweet. You may be advancing your career while also saying goodbye to valued colleagues. Sending a goodbye message helps ease the transition by expressing gratitude and keeping connections alive.
Here’s everything you need to know about writing a goodbye message, including when to send it and examples for inspiration.
Table of contents
When to send your goodbye message
5 tips for writing a goodbye message for colleagues
How to write a goodbye message when you’re leaving on nonideal terms
Sample goodbye messages to colleagues
What is a goodbye message?
A goodbye message is a note you send to your coworkers when leaving your job, marking the conclusion of your professional time together. However, if you’ve built genuine friendships, your message doesn’t have to be strictly work-related, nor does it have to signal the end of those personal connections.
You can send your goodbye message through any channel that works best for you, such as your work email, Slack, or a messaging app. However, since you may lose access to company platforms after your departure, it’s a good idea to include your personal email or LinkedIn to ensure colleagues can stay in touch.
When to send your goodbye message
Timing a goodbye message can be tricky, especially if you’re leaving on less-than-ideal terms. But in general, you should send a goodbye message to colleagues either the day before you log off or the morning of your final day.
Doing so gives them time to reply before you leave. It also minimizes the potential awkwardness that can ensue if you send the message far in advance of your departure. Conversely, sending the message as you walk out the door won’t give your colleagues a chance to respond before you go.
Either way, your message should come after you’ve sent in your letter of resignation or given your two weeks’ notice.
5 tips for writing a goodbye message for colleagues
1 Keep it short
A few concise paragraphs should do the trick. There’s no need for a lengthy message—just express your gratitude, mention a few highlights from your time working together, and wish your colleagues well.
2 Acknowledge the skills or experience you’ve gained
Job-hopping may be common nowadays, but that doesn’t mean we don’t learn or gain something from each role. If you’ve taken away valuable lessons from the position, feel free to mention a couple.
You can also personalize each message, especially for the coworkers who’ve had a significant impact on your professional or personal life. For close colleagues, you may even choose to talk about why you’re leaving. You can also send a more general note to your team or the company at large.
3 Note your last day
Be sure to mention your final working day so colleagues know when to reach out. This gives them a chance to say goodbye in person, share well wishes, or even plan a small farewell gathering before you leave.
4 Include your contact information
Adding your phone, email, or LinkedIn profile lets people know how to keep in touch (and potentially send new opportunities your way in the future).
If you have clients or work with contractors, you can CC them on your goodbye. This is an excellent opportunity to let them know whom they’ll be working with at the company going forward. That way, the client or contractor doesn’t have to chase down emails to keep their business moving.
5 End with thanks
Take a moment to express your gratitude to your colleagues, manager, and anyone who has supported you along the way. A simple thank-you for their guidance, teamwork, or friendship can leave a lasting positive impression. Acknowledging the opportunities you’ve had also shows appreciation for your time with the company.
How to write a goodbye message when you’re leaving on nonideal terms
When you’ve been laid off or fired, or you simply didn’t enjoy the job, a goodbye message can feel awkward or even painful. While you don’t need to fake a note of appreciation or express optimism that you don’t feel, you can send a short last-day message in a neutral tone. It should be free of any lingering negativity.
If you’re not in the mood to send a note at large, that’s OK. In that case, it’s enough to simply thank your coworkers for the opportunity to work with them. Depending on your comfort level, you can choose to include your contact information or thank someone by name.
If nothing else, a polite and professional departure that maintains positive working relationships can benefit you down the road, whether through networking, references, or future opportunities.
Sample goodbye messages to colleagues
A short goodbye message to colleagues
Subject: Saying goodbye and thank you!
Hi everyone,
As my time at [Company Name] comes to an end, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. It’s been a pleasure working with such a talented and supportive team, and I truly appreciate the experiences, collaboration, and friendships along the way.
I’ll miss working with you all, but I’m excited about what’s ahead. Please feel free to keep in touch—my email is [your email], or you can connect with me on LinkedIn [your LinkedIn profile].
Wishing you all continued success!
Best,
[Your Name]
A general goodbye message to your team
Subject: My last day
Hey everyone,
As many of you know, today is my last day at [Company Name]. I feel so lucky to have worked with such a talented group of individuals. I’ve learned and grown so much from each of you. And while I’m excited about the future, I’m sad to have to leave you all.
Before I go, I’d like to thank my manager, [Manager’s Name], whose support and guidance have been invaluable over the years.
I’ll be working at [New Company] starting on [date], but I’d love to keep in touch. Feel free to reach me by email [your email] or via LinkedIn [your LinkedIn profile]. I’m always happy to grab a coffee or offer professional support!
Thanks, and all the best,
[Your Name]
A personalized goodbye message to a close coworker
Subject: Thank you!
Hey [Close Coworker’s Name],
I just wanted to thank you for being such a great colleague and friend to me during my time here. While I’m excited about my future role at [New Company Name], I’m sad that we won’t be able to grab lunch together anymore!
I’ve always admired your ability to [skill] and your work ethic. I wouldn’t be the [Job Title] that I am without your help and advice over the years. And I’ll never forget [personalized memory].
My last day will be [date], but I’d love to stay in touch. I’m also planning a farewell gathering later this week, and I’ll send you the details once I have them.
Thanks so much,
[Your Name]
A short goodbye message if you’re leaving on nonideal terms
Subject: Last day
Hello everyone,
As some of you may know, I’ll be leaving my role at [Company Name] as of [date]. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with you all, and I wish you the best. If you’d like to keep in touch, feel free to contact me at my personal email address: [your email address].
Thanks,
Goodbye message FAQs
What are goodbye messages?
Goodbye messages are notes you send when leaving a company, usually to your colleagues. They allow you to say farewell and share ways to stay in touch.
When should you send a goodbye message?
You should send your goodbye message after you resign, usually the day before your departure or the morning of your last day.
What should a goodbye message include?
Your goodbye message can mention key details, such as what you’ve learned during your time at the company, your departure date, and your next steps if you’d like to share them. If you’re leaving under less-than-ideal circumstances, a brief and professional message expressing gratitude for the opportunity can be a good approach.
Should you include your manager in a goodbye message?
Yes, sending a goodbye message to your manager is generally a good idea. You can either include them in a general team email or send a separate, more personalized note thanking them for their leadership and support. If your manager has been particularly influential in your career, acknowledging their impact can leave a lasting positive impression.
Should you send a goodbye message if you were fired or laid off?
If you feel comfortable, a brief and professional message thanking your colleagues for the time you spent working together can help maintain positive relationships for networking or future opportunities. If you’re not in the right headspace to send one, it’s okay to skip it.
