“Change is the spice of life and the only thing that is constant is change”. The same applies to the work lives of most of the population. People may change jobs either because of better growth prospects or due to relocation to another town/country.
The professional protocol when one changes jobs is to write a Farewell Letter addressed to the colleagues to thank them for their support in her/his individual development and growth.
An Exit Interview also happens when an individual has decided to move on either to another organization or somewhat similar. But whatever one wants to share with the HR department at the time of the Exit Interview in terms of the positives of the organization as well as the areas of improvement is very different from the Farewell Letter. A Farewell Letter is primarily addressed to ones colleagues and superiors as a gesture of gratitude.
Dos and don’ts while writing a Farewell Letter:
- Since a Farewell Letter is being written by an individual leaving the organization, it should be on a plain sheet of paper preferably A4 size
- It should always start as ‘To Whom So Ever It May Concern’ to ensure that it seems addressed to all
- These days due to the influx of the Internet Farewell Letters are also forwarded to all concerned, by email. But definitely the traditional method of sending the hard copy is the best option
- If any special acknowledgements for the extra mileage support needs to be mentioned in the letter, it should be in the Farewell Letter
- Ideally two Farewell Letters should be written – one for the colleagues/superiors/subordinates and the other one for the organization as an independent identity
- A Farewell Letter should always be short and crisp
