SpeechesFarewell speech on your last day
A ready speech for an employee on the last day, or a student changing school. Use the short version when you have about a minute, and the full version when you have about three. Both are our own writing; change them freely.
Words in [square brackets] are for you to replace with your own names and details.
Short speech (1 minute)
71 words · about 1 minute at a calm pace
Good evening, everyone. As you know, today is my last day here. I joined as a stranger, and I leave with friends. Thank you to my seniors for trusting me, to my team for teaching me, and to everyone for the tea, the jokes and the help on difficult days. I am sorry if I ever hurt anyone. I will miss this place. Please stay in touch. Thank you, and goodbye.
Full speech (3 minutes)
221 words · about 2 minutes at a calm pace
Good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming, and thank you to whoever arranged the samosas. They have made this harder, because now I really do not want to leave.
I joined [organisation] [number] years ago. I remember walking in with a new bag and a great deal of worry. I did not know the work, the people or even where the water cooler was. Today I know all three, and it is because of you.
To my seniors, especially [Name]: thank you for trusting me with work before I was sure I could do it, and for correcting me in private and praising me in public. I will try to do the same for those who work with me in future.
To my team: we met deadlines that looked impossible, we shared lunch boxes, and we survived [a shared memory, such as the year-end closing or the big audit]. I learnt something from each of you, and I am taking those lessons with me.
If my words or my hurry ever hurt any of you, I am truly sorry. It was never meant.
I am leaving the company, not the friendships. My number is the same. Please call, and please invite me to the next office picnic. I wish this team and this organisation every success. Thank you for everything. Goodbye.
Make it yours
A ready speech gets you started; your own details make people listen. Before you use this one:
- Never use a farewell to complain. Leave people with a good last memory of you.
- Name two or three people at most; a long list leaves someone out.
- Keep it short. Your colleagues want to talk to you, not listen to you.
- Add one true detail from your own school, office or family. It is the line people will remember.
- Read it aloud with a timer and cut what you do not need. The speech timer shows the time for any draft.
More help: how to deliver a speech, how to overcome stage fear and other opening and closing lines.