Appreciation Letter Examples and Writing Tips

Image shows a bird's-eye-view of a desk with a pair of glasses a cup of coffee, and a stack of papers. Text reads: "Tips for writing an appreciation letter: write the letter as soon as possible; clearly explain why you're writing the letter; keep the letter short and focused; be sincere; proofread; send as a business letter, thank-you note, or email"
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Alison Czinkota / The Balance

There are many reasons to show appreciation for someone during your job search. You might want to say “thank you” to a former boss for a letter of reference, thank a client for a job referral, thank a networking contact for an informational interview, or thank a potential employer for an in-person interview.

You might also want to show appreciation for something unrelated to your job search. For example, you might wish to demonstrate appreciation for an employee who has made a contribution to a team, a boss who has provided you with guidance, or a supervisor who recommended you for a promotion.

Perhaps you'd like to thank a colleague or client for an introduction or a referral.

Note

Sending someone an appreciation letter is a great way to show thanks and to maintain strong relationships with people in your network.

Why Send an Appreciation Letter

In an age of text messaging and “instant communications,” writing thank-you notes and business letters is becoming a lost art. Yet formal letter writing is still a very valuable skill and one that is appreciated by both business and personal recipients alike.

Saying “thank you” is also a way to forge or grow a relationship with a professional connection. This can help your career in the future, as well as on a short-term basis. If you take the time to write a sincere letter that is well-expressed, grammatical, and free of spelling errors, you will stand out favorably in comparison to peers who lack this ability.

Below are tips on how to write appreciation letters, as well as a list of appreciation letter samples to use as templates for a variety of personal and professional circumstances where you would like to show your appreciation.

Tips for Writing Appreciation Letters

Write your letter as soon as possible. Try to send the appreciation letter or email as soon as possible. For example, if you have an informational interview with a contact, send them a thank-you letter by the next day. You want the person receiving the letter to remember what you are thanking them for.

Explain why you’re writing the letter. Clearly explain what you are showing appreciation for. Especially if you dropped the ball on writing immediately and it has been a while, the person might need a reminder.

Keep the letter it short and focused. Keep your letter concise. You want to express your thanks without going on for too long. A couple of paragraphs is typically sufficient.

Be sincere. Don’t go over the top in your appreciation. Express your gratitude sincerely, but briefly. Simply state how much you value the person’s help or their achievement.

Edit, edit, edit. Be sure to proofread your letter before sending it. You want to appear professional and polished, even in an appreciation letter.

Consider the format. You might consider sending your letter in one of three formats: in a business letter format, as an email, or as a personalized thank-you letter. For more formal relationships (such as an employer or a new networking contact), consider the more professional business letter format. If you want the person to receive your letter right away, consider sending an email. A personalized letter or card would be appropriate for a close contact, friend, or family member.

Appreciation Letter and Email Examples

Appreciation Letter Template

This is an appreciation letter example. Download the appreciation letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Screenshot of an appreciation letter example

Appreciation Letter Example (Text Version)

Michael Smith
300 Third Ave, Apt. 3R
Brooklyn, NY 11215
555-555-5555
michael.smith@email.com

October 25, 2021

Jessica Davis
Content Strategist
XYZ Media Company
1400 14th Street, Ste. 14
New York, NY 10018

Dear Ms. Davis,

Thank you again for meeting with me today. I truly enjoyed our conversation and gained valuable insights into content strategy and building a career in media.

I’ve already investigated the classes you suggested, as well as the writer’s union, and will continue working on building my own personal brand using your (extremely helpful!) advice.

As you said during our chat, you really can’t learn everything you need to know about this industry in school. I’m extremely grateful that you took the time to steer me in the right direction.

Thanks again, and best regards,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Michael Smith

More Appreciation Letter Samples Listed By Type

It is a good idea to review the appreciation letter and email examples below before writing your own. Samples can help you see what kind of content you should include in your letter. Examples can also help you with the layout and format of your letter.

While examples, templates, and guidelines are a great starting point to your appreciation letter, you should always be as original as possible.

Note

Do be sure to take the time to personalize your letter, note, or email message, so it reflects your sincere appreciation and the reason why you are writing.

Job Search Appreciation Letters: Although many people think that a job search is merely a process of submitting an application to a job announcement, the truth is that many employees get hired because of their connections – colleagues, business associates, or instructors who have recommended them for the job or otherwise helped them through networking. Here’s how to express your appreciation to those who have helped you during all phases of your career search. 

How to Thank an Employer or Colleague: There are many opportunities when it is politic (as well as polite) to thank an employer, beginning when they’ve taken the time to interview you for a position. After you’re hired, help to build the morale of your boss, your colleagues, or (if you are in management), your employees by taking the time to thank them in writing when they’ve gone the extra mile to support you in the workplace.

Thank-you Letters for a Referral: Professional referrals can make all the difference in whether you are considered for a job or whether you successfully source and land a major client. If you are a business person who depends upon referrals to build your pipeline, these notes of appreciation will help to ensure that people who have referred your services will continue to do so.

  • Thank You Letter for Referral
  • Client Referral Thank You Letter
  • Referral Thank You Letter
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