How to Wish Someone the Best When Leaving a Job: 100+ Messages, Templates & Tips (2026 Guide)

Saying goodbye to a colleague isn't just polite--it's a chance to strengthen professional networks, leave a positive legacy, and celebrate their next chapter. Whether they're heading to a new job, retiring, or making a voluntary exit, this guide offers over 100 customizable farewell messages, professional email templates, inspirational quotes, and step-by-step tips. Learn the best ways to deliver them via email, LinkedIn posts, farewell cards, or speeches to keep doors open for future opportunities.

Quick Answer: 10 Best Wishes Messages for a Coworker Leaving a Job

Need something ready to copy-paste? Here are 10 versatile examples, categorized by tone, drawn from expert sources like foundit.id and rewardz.sg:

Formal/Professional:

1. "Congratulations on your new adventure! You've been an inspiration--best of luck in your next chapter."
2. "Thank you for your invaluable contributions. Wishing you continued success in all future endeavors."

Heartfelt/Emotional:

3. "I'll miss our late-night brainstorming sessions. You've made a lasting impact--here's to your bright future!"
4. "Your guidance shaped my career. Enjoy this well-deserved transition with health and happiness."

Funny/Casual:

5. "May your new job have more coffee and fewer meetings. Don't be a stranger!"
6. "Finally escaping the office grind? Good luck--you'll crush it (and nap more)!"

New Job Congrats:

7. "Thrilled for your new role! Your skills will shine--keep innovating."
8. "Best wishes on this exciting opportunity. Can't wait to hear about your wins."

Retirement-Specific:

9. "Happy retirement! Chase those dreams with the same passion you brought here."
10. "The office won't be the same without you. Enjoy endless adventures ahead."

Key Takeaways: Essential Tips for Perfect Farewell Messages

• Tailor to tenure and impact (foundit.id): Reference specific memories for a personal touch.
• Send 24 hours before last day (fyxer.com): Gives time for replies without last-minute rush.
• Include contact info for networking (emailverify.io): 80% of workers say well-crafted messages strengthen networks (emailverify.io, superhuman.com).
• Keep it concise: 67% prefer short emails (superhuman.com); aim for 3-5 paragraphs.
• Match the tone to relationship: Formal for bosses, casual for friends.
• Avoid negativity: Focus on positives to protect reputations (stackexchange.com).
• Proofread rigorously: Use AI tools; errors undermine sincerity (fyxer.com).
• Pair with gifts or cards: Enhances impact (rewardz.sg).
• Time post-announcement: After manager's notice (oreateai.com).
• Personalize over templates: Specific details create mementos (rewardz.sg).

Why Saying Goodbye Matters: Benefits for You and Your Colleague

A thoughtful farewell reduces emotional stress, builds loyalty, and maintains networks (bharatpayroll.com, fyxer.com). For the departing colleague, it validates their impact; for you, it preserves reputation--93% check email daily, with pros spending 28% of workweek on it (superhuman.com).

Well-wishes signal respect, fostering long-term ties. A StackExchange case highlights avoiding negativity in resignation thanks: one user praised a coworker via email instead of a letter, preventing fallout and keeping bridges intact.

Types of Farewell Messages: Choose the Right One for Your Situation

Select based on context. Here's a comparison:

Emails should be 3-5 paragraphs (oreateai.com). Send after manager's announcement (oreateai.com vs fyxer.com--post-announcement for awareness).

50+ Farewell Messages for Coworkers Leaving a Job

Formal/Professional (10)

1. "Thank you for your leadership. Best wishes for success ahead."
2. "Your expertise elevated our team. Congratulations on new horizons."
3. "Grateful for our collaboration. Wishing you prosperity."
4. "You've set a high bar. All the best in your journey."
5. "Appreciate your dedication. Forward to great achievements."
6. "Professional growth thanks to you. Best of luck."
7. "Memorable projects together. Success in your next role."
8. "Your impact endures. Warmest wishes."
9. "Exemplary colleague. Thriving in the future."
10. "Gratitude for shared wins. Continued excellence."

Heartfelt/Emotional (10)

1. "Our chats meant the world. You'll be missed deeply."
2. "Your kindness shone through. Happiness in your next chapter."
3. "Fond memories of triumphs. Cherish your path ahead."
4. "Inspired daily by you. Best health and joy."
5. "Bonds like ours last. All my best."
6. "Tough goodbye--your spirit stays. Shine on."
7. "Grateful for every lesson. Warm embraces for what's next."
8. "Heartfelt thanks. Adventure awaits."
9. "Miss you already. Endless good fortune."
10. "True friend at work. Beautiful tomorrows."

Funny/Casual (10)

1. "No more bad coffee together? Luck out there!"
2. "Escaping meetings? You're a hero. Crush it!"
3. "New job, same awesome you. Less drama?"
4. "Don't forget us little people. High-five!"
5. "Retirement: naps unlimited. Enjoy!"
6. "Who'll fix the printer? Good riddance (jk)!"
7. "New gig better have snacks. Cheers!"
8. "Survived with you--now solo? Legend."
9. "Bye, office clown. World needs your vibes."
10. "Finally free! Beers soon?"

New Job Congrats (10)

1. "Congrats on the new role! Excitement ahead." (greetpool.com)
2. "Your ambition pays off. Shine brightly."
3. "Thrilled for you. New heights await."
4. "Perfect fit--best wishes!" (founditgulf.com)
5. "Innovate and conquer. Cheers!"
6. "New chapter, big wins. Go get 'em."
7. "Proud of you. Success incoming."
8. "Flexible hours? Jealous--rock it!"
9. "Ground-breaking ideas ahead. Luck!"
10. "Confidence to thrive. Amazing!"

Retirement-Specific (10)

1. "Happy retirement! Health and happiness." (foundit.id)
2. "Chase dreams now. Well-deserved." (mentorcliq.com)
3. "Office misses you. Enjoy freedom."
4. "Golden years with joy. Cheers!"
5. "Memories forever. Relax and revel."
6. "Your calm under pressure inspired. Peaceful days."
7. "Hobbies await. Best always."
8. "Pivotal career--now yours." (foundit.id)
9. "Many happy moments ahead."
10. "Captain departs--fair winds!"

Best Wishes Quotes and Inspirational Phrases

1. "Endings guide us forward." -- Tom Petty (bharatpayroll.com)
2. "The only way to climb the mountain is to always look up." -- Laurie L.
3. "May your new chapter hold endless opportunities."
4. "Goodbyes remind us of advancement." (omsaigroupconsultancy.com)
5. "Your experience drives unforeseen heights."
6. "Confidence to leave your mark." (founditgulf.com)
7. "Imagination flourishes in uncharted territory."
8. "Pessimists see difficulty; optimists opportunity."
9. "Work fascinates me--I can watch others do it."
10. "Simple messages send off with dignity."
11. "Transitions build stronger workplaces."
12. "Chase dreams with passion."
13. "Next part of life awaits."
14. "Fondly remembered impact."
15. "Positive closure inspires confidence."

Personalized quotes > generic: specifics create impressions (rewardz.sg).

LinkedIn Farewell Post Examples

1. "Grateful for [Company] team. Excited for [New Role]! Let's connect: [LinkedIn]. #NewBeginnings"
2. "After amazing years, onto new adventures. Thanks for collaborations--reach out! #CareerMove"
3. "Farewell [Company]. Your support shaped me. Wishing all success. #Networking"
4. "Last day vibes: Thankful. Future-focused. DM for coffee chats! #Goodbye"
5. "Celebrating transitions. Grateful for lessons. Let's stay linked! #ProfessionalJourney"
6. "From [Role] to [New]. Endless thanks. Open to connections. #Farewell"
7. Avoid negativity (stackexchange.com)--keep public posts positive.

Professional Goodbye Emails: Templates and Best Practices

Checklist (fyxer.com, oreateai.com):

1. Greeting
2. Announce date
3. Thank + memories
4. Wishes
5. Contacts
6. "Best regards" (95% situations, superhuman.com)

Template 1 (Formal): Subject: Farewell – My Last Day at [Company]
Dear Team,
As my last day approaches on [Date], I reflect on our shared successes...
Best wishes, [Name] | [Email/Phone/LinkedIn]

Template 2 (Heartfelt): Similar structure with anecdote: "Those late nights solving [Project] were unforgettable."

Template 3 (New Job): "Excited for [New Company]. Stay in touch!"

Template 4 (Casual): "Team, it's been real! Beers soon?"

Template 5 (Retirement): "Golden years ahead. Grateful for all."

Send 24hrs pre-last day (fyxer.com).

Special Cases: Retirement, New Jobs, and Voluntary Departures

Retirement (foundit.id, mentorcliq.com)

Focus on health/hobbies: "Enjoy golfing those birdies!" Succession planning key (mentorcliq.com).

New Jobs (greetpool.com)

Emphasize ambition: 10 examples above.

Voluntary Departures

Neutral positives: "Best in your transition."

How to Craft Personalized Farewell Messages: Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Recall impact/memories: "Your pep talks saved presentations." (foundit.id)
2. Match tone/relationship.
3. Add specifics (rewardz.sg).
4. Proofread (fyxer.com).
5. Deliver: Email/speech/card.

Personalization creates mementos (rewardz.sg).

Emotional Goodbye Speeches and Card Messages: Samples & Delivery Tips

Speech Template (foundit.id): Memories → Thanks → Optimism.
E.g., "Late nights on deadlines... Confidence in your future."

10 Card Samples (mentorcliq.com):

1. "Short & sweet: Enjoy retirement!"
   ... (Short versions of above.)

Tips: Pair with gifts; team memory books (rewardz.sg).

Common Mistakes to Avoid + Formal vs Casual Comparison

Mistakes: Negativity (stackexchange.com), templated text (rewardz.sg), long emails.

FAQ

What should I write in a farewell card for a retiring coworker?
Short, specific: "Happy retirement! Your calm focus inspired us--enjoy hobbies!"

How do I write a professional goodbye email to my team?
Use checklist: Greeting, thanks, wishes, contacts. Concise, 3-5 paras.

What are good LinkedIn farewell post examples when quitting?
Positive, networking-focused: "Grateful for journey--let's connect!"

How to congratulate a colleague on a new job opportunity?
"Thrilled for [Role]! Your skills will excel."

What's the best time to send a farewell message?
24hrs before last day, post-announcement.

Are funny farewell messages appropriate for coworkers?
Yes for close ties; subjective--test waters (greetpool.com).

How to personalize retirement best wishes?
Reference plans/impact: "Golf awaits--fairway dreams!" (rewardz.sg).