Many people, at least in their imaginations, would prefer to leave their jobs with a flourish. It may be tempting to quit with a verbal jab like "Take this job and shove it!" or simply march out the door, never to return, but it's always best to depart in a calm, professional manner. You never know when a former employer might be needed for a future reference.

One of the sweetest and most satisfying aspects of leaving a job (assuming it's your choice, of course) is writing a succinct and professional resignation letter to your employer. Don't worry if you're not a skilled wordsmith; a resignation letter should follow a relatively straightforward format. Nor does it have to be long. In fact, the shorter, the better.

'When' Rather Than 'Why'

Be sure to include when you are leaving rather than why. This is the most important piece of information to include, but you'll also want to let your employer know that you have appreciated the opportunity to work with the company. Go ahead and grit your teeth if you need to; it's always a good idea to go out on a high note. Your professionalism is what people will remember about you.