How to Write a Goodbye Email to Coworkers with Examples
You are wrapping up a part of your professional journey. You’ll soon be leaving your job and the workplace where countless memories and relationships have been forged. As you round off your offboarding and handover tasks, the time has come for one last act of closure: crafting a farewell email to your colleagues.
Whether you’re feeling a tinge of sorrow or overwhelming eagerness to embark on a new adventure, taking a few moments to create a memorable goodbye email will leave a good last impression and will help you foster lasting professional connections. . Need help crafting the perfect one? Keep reading for tips and templates.
Why Should You Send a Goodbye Email to Coworkers?
Throughout my career, I’ve seen plenty of farewell emails, and even now, I make it a point to read each one. Why? Well, a few reasons: I enjoy discovering the memorable moments individuals choose to highlight from their time at the company, I’m intrigued by their future destinations, and most importantly, I value maintaining their contact information for potential future interactions.
So, why should you invest time in crafting a goodbye email?
It’s an opportunity to express appreciation and gratitude towards your coworkers for their support and collaboration throughout your time together.
You maintain connections with your colleagues. Networking and relationships can benefit future collaborations, job opportunities, or simply staying in touch with like-minded professionals.
It’s an opportunity to leave a positive last impression. By crafting a thoughtful and well-written message, you leave behind a positive image of professionalism, gratitude, and maturity.
How Do You Write a Goodbye Email to Coworkers?
Here are our top tips for writing a goodbye email before finishing your last day. Check here for some general guidance on How to write better emails.
1. Be Authentic And Let Your Personality Shine Through
Some of the best goodbye emails I’ve seen have either made me laugh or made my eyes water just a bit from thinking about the good old times I shared with this person. You don’t need to keep it formal.
Depending on how relaxed your company culture is and how well you know your coworkers, feel free to add some personality to your goodbye email to make it stick.
That could mean sharing an inside joke, funny photo, gif, or meme.
2. Keep it Short and Simple
Something simple and to the point is best. There is no need to overshare why you are leaving and where you’re off to next. If you’d like to share a personal story or anecdote, feel free to include it in your goodbye email.
However, keep it short, as email is not the best medium for long, essay-like stories.
3. Focus On The Positive And Show Appreciation
A simple thank you can go a long way. Even if your experience at this job has been less than ideal, try to remember the positives and express sincere gratitude for the opportunity to work with your colleagues or team with the team.
If you struggle being a positive thinker, don’t miss the opportunity to read “A Year of Positive Thinking“, a daily dose of positivity to live your best life.
A Year of Positive Thinking
- 22 min reading time
- audio version available
4. Include Your Contact Information
This is, of course, optional, but if you’d like to stay in touch with your colleagues, provide alternate contact information, such as your personal email, LinkedIn profile URL, or even your phone number if you are comfortable with that.
If relevant, you could include your other social media handles, such as Twitter, GitHub, or even Instagram and TikTok (e.g., for marketing professionals).
5. Share What’s Next For You
Close colleagues and your boss may already know your plans for the future, but others might be wondering where you’re off to next.
While this is, of course, entirely optional, it could encourage people to reach out if there’s an opportunity to work together in the future.
You don’t need to go into a lot of detail. Simply stating your new role and company is enough.
For example:
“I’ve accepted a role as a software engineer at Google.”
“I’m joining a health tech start-up and will be running their content team.”
“I’m taking some time off to travel before looking for my next role in sales next year.”
If you’re leaving for other reasons, you can briefly state these, too, if you feel comfortable doing so. You never know who might reach out with helpful information or contacts.
Some career moves are necessary to be fullfilled with your professional life. Check out “Best Job Ever” by C. K. Bray to go through the difficult process of switching jobs.
Best Job Ever
- 12 min reading time
- audio version available
6. Think of a catchy subject line
What should be the subject line of your goodbye email? You can get creative here. An intriguing or catching subject will help your email get noticed in the sea of other emails we receive daily. But you can also keep it short and simple. Here are some examples:
- As my journey at [company] comes to an end…
- Farewell, and thank you for everything ❣️
- Goodbye, dear friends & colleagues 👋
- My last few days at [company name]…
7. Think About The Timing of Your Goodbye Message
Some people will already know you’re leaving well in advance — your boss, your direct reports, your close colleagues, and your stakeholders. A quick message to your close coworkers on your last day to say a final thank you and goodbye is always a nice gesture.
For everyone else, a day or two of heads-up should be enough time. I wouldn’t recommend sending the email on your very last day as some of your colleagues might want to send you off with some nice wishes.
Templates for goodbye emails to coworkers
You’ve got the tips; now it’s time to write the email. Below, you will find some copy-and-paste templates you can steal. Don’t forget to customize them to match the culture and tone of your company and your work relationships
1. Goodbye Email for your Manager
Good bosses are hard to find, so saying goodbye to one is tough. Express your thanks and offer to stay in touch — you never know where they may end up next in their career.
Goodbye and thank you, [Boss’s Name]“Hi [manager’s name]
As you know, it’s my last day today!
I just wanted to stop by your inbox one last time to say goodbye and a huge thank you for everything you’ve done for me during my time here.
It’s been a pleasure working with you, and I’m especially grateful for all the mentorship you’ve provided me. This will be invaluable in the next chapter of my career.
My personal email is [your email address], I’d love to stay in touch.
I wish you all the best for the future!
Thanks,
[Your name]”
2. Farewell Email to a Close Colleague
If you’re emailing a close colleague goodbye, they probably already know you’re leaving, but it’s still nice to check in one last time, especially if you didn’t get to see them on your final day.
Good bye, my friend – it’s been a pleasure working with you!
“Hi [colleague name]
As you know, today is my last day! 🥲
It’s been an absolute blast working with you all for (number of years)! I’ve grown so much through our collaboration, both professionally and personally. I’m genuinely grateful for that.
I’m off to a new adventure as the (job title) at (organization). I’m hoping our paths will cross again down the road.
Best of luck with everything, and stay in touch — you have my number!
Thanks,
[Your name]”
3. Farewell Email to Your Team
Maybe you’ve already emailed your boss and close friends in the office but want to send a group email to the whole team. What you say depends on how well you know everyone and how big the team is.
Farewell, but Not Goodbye! Thank you, Team, for the Incredible Journey Together
“Hi [colleague name or team name]
As you all know, today is my last day!
I just wanted to say goodbye and a huge thank you to everyone for making my time at [company name] so great.
My personal email is [your email address]; I’d love to stay in touch.
I wish you all the best for the future!
Thanks,
[Your name]”
4. Farewell Email to Your Direct Reports
You’ve hopefully already broken the news that you’re leaving to your direct reports. But you can also send a farewell email to end things on a high.
Saying goodbye with a grateful heart and best wishes ahead!
“Hi [colleague names]
As you all know, it’s my last day today!
I wanted to say goodbye once more and thank everyone for making my time at [company name] so great. You’ve been a fantastic team. It’s been such a humbling and rewarding experience to be your team lead.
My personal email is [your email address]; I’d love to stay in touch. And remember, I’m always available for advice, recommendations, or coffee catch-ups.
It’s been a pleasure, and I wish you all the best for the future!
Thanks,
[Your name]”
You may have loved your job and wish to express your gratitude, or you’d like to leave on a good note. Whatever the context, sending a goodbye email to your coworkers is an essential final task before logging off the company laptop for good. A good farewell message will leave your colleagues, teammates, and managers feeling more appreciated and keen to stay in touch.
Keep things simple, say thank you, and share your personal details if you wish to keep contact — and then it’s off to bigger and better things.
