Thank you letters only take a few minutes to write but they carry a lot of weight. Formal thank you letters may be the thing that makes you stand tall above the crowd while personal thank you letters can make someone else feel appreciated and special. Learn to write a letter of thanks by following a few simple steps and looking at sample letters.
Thank you letters are appropriate in many areas of life. In a professional setting, they’re not only appropriate, but highly recommended after an interview. In a personal setting, they can help a loved one feel special and allow you to express genuine appreciation.
Here are a few occasions that may call for a thank you letter.
The recipient of your thank you letter will impact how you compose it. A professional letter will read differently than a personal letter to a friend or family member.
No matter the addressee, there are five main elements to any letter:
Start by addressing the other party in an appropriate manner. If this is a professional thank you letter, use a proper title (e.g, Mr., Ms., or Mrs.), their last name, and a colon. If this is a personal acquaintance or friend, use their first name and a comma.
Start with a clear “Thank you.” For example, “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today” or “Thank you for your thoughtful gift.” From there, you can elaborate in a thoughtful manner.
AdvertisementAfter you’ve expressed your thanks, elaborate with details about why you’re thanking the recipient. If you’re thanking someone after a job interview, highlight something you learned in your meeting and offer an example of how your skills line up with the position.
If you’re thanking a friend for a gift, explain why you’re particularly grateful for it. Perhaps the new earrings go well with several outfits in your wardrobe or the leather padfolio will get a lot of use in your new position.
End with one more thank you statement. After you’ve offered a little detail to illustrate your gratitude, offer one more word of thanks. Consider something along the lines of “Thank you again for your time” or “Thank you again for your thoughtfulness. It meant the world to me.”
AdvertisementEvery letter ends with an appropriate closing followed by a comma and your name. For a professional letter, use a more formal closing like “Sincerely” or “Respectfully.” For a personal letter, you can use an informal closing such as “Best wishes” or “Regards.”
Use thank you letter examples to help you draft your own letters for professional and formal situations.
Perhaps one of the most pivotal thank you letters are the ones you send after a job interview. They need to be sent promptly, be clear and concise, and memorable. An e-mail is the most appropriate forum for these letters. If you met with a team of interviewers, send an individualized note to each person.
Sample Letter:
Subject Line: Thank You - Social Media Manager Interview
Dear Mr. Gold: [Use a colon in formal settings.]
Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I enjoyed learning more about the Social Media Manager position within Gold Enterprise. It’s an excellent match for my skills and interests, given my background as an SEO Specialist.
Your modern approach to social media marketing, including your highly refined SEO tactics, confirmed my desire to become a member of your team.
In addition to my enthusiasm, I’d also bring my social media expertise, time management skills and team player approach to the department.
Thank you again for reserving an hour out of your busy schedule to interview me today. I remain very interested in becoming a member of your team and look forward to speaking with you again!
Sincerely,
Jane Boston
jboston@email.com
1112 Boston Avenue
Boston, NY 12345
(212) 345-6798
[LinkedIn URL]
[Website]
