Types of Professional Business Letters

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In the professional world, you will often need to write a business letter or send a professional email. From applying to a new job, writing a thank you note, sending a note of apology, or sending a farewell email when you depart, there are many circumstances that will require an appropriately formatted letter or email.

How to Write a Business Letter

A business letter is a formal document, with a set structure. As you can see from the examples in the links below, a business letter has a very defined format.

A business letter includes contact information, a salutation, the body of the letter, a complimentary close, and a signature. 

What should you include in a professional letter written for business purposes? A business letter is a formal document, with a set structure. As you can see from the examples in the links below, a business letter has a very defined format. A business letter includes contact information, a salutation, the body of the letter, a complimentary close, and a signature. 

There are rules for everything, from how wide the letter's margins should be to what size font to use.

  • In general, it's wise to keep the body of your business letter direct and brief.
  • Explain why you are writing in your first paragraph,
  • Provide more specifics in the next paragraph, and
  • Use your closing paragraph to reiterate your reason for writing
  • Thank the recipient for reading, and possibly mention follow-up plans

Below, you'll find a list of business letter examples for a variety of employment and business-related correspondence, as well as tips for how to write an appropriate and effective business letter. Use these samples as a starting point when you have to write your own letter.

Business Letter Template

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

Business Letter Sample (Text Version)

Jennifer Lastname
{Street Address}
{City}, {State} {Zip Code}
555-555-5555
email@email.com

June 17, 2020

Michelle Lastname
Manager
The Company Name
{Street Address}
{City}, {State} {Zip Code}

Dear Ms. Lastname:

Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me to discuss selling my handmade sweaters in your wonderful shop.

As I mentioned in our conversation, I’ve been a customer of your store since I used my third-grade allowance to buy my very first pair of knitting needles. I’m honored that you’d consider selling one of my original creations at The Yarn Company alongside your own work.

We discussed a trial consignment arrangement in which a portion of the sales would go to the store. This is more than agreeable to me.

Let me know how you want to proceed. I’m available most afternoons at 555-555-5555, or you can email me at email@email.com, and I’ll respond to your message ASAP.

Thanks, and best,

Jennifer Lastname

More Business Letter Templates & Formats

Business Letter Template
This template includes all the information that should be included in a business letter. There are examples of each section of the letter, and tips on how to choose a style for your correspondence.

Format for Writing a Business Letter
This letter format includes information on choosing an appropriate layout, font, salutation, spacing, closing, and signature for business correspondence.

Business Letter Examples Listed by Type

Apology Letters
When and how to apologize
 at work, plus examples of apology letters for employers and co-workers. Use these letters when you have made a mistakebehaved poorly, missed an interview, or in other circumstances where you've messed up and need to apologize.

Appreciation Letters
Very often, feedback at work is dominated by the negative. If someone you work with closely does a great job, don't miss the opportunity to give praise and positive feedback. Sending a letter is a nice way to let employees, co-workers, colleagues, clients, and others know how much you appreciate them.

Business Thank You Letters
If someone does you a favor or helps you out in any way, always remember to send a thank you note. Browse this link for business thank you letter samples for a variety of business- and employment-related scenarios.

Candidate Rejection Letter
When you are in charge of hiring, you will need to inform job applicants when they do not receive the position. Here is an example of a candidate rejection letter to send to an individual who was not selected for a job.

Congratulation Letters
Everybody loves to be recognized for their achievements, even if it's just a quick email message or a handwritten note. Review sample congratulation letters for new jobsnew businesses, promotions, and other business-related endeavors.

Email Message Examples
While it's often nice to send a handwritten or printed out note in the mail, it's more common these days to email. Here you’ll find business- and employment-related email message examples.

Employee Letters
Review sample employee letters and letters for job applicants for employment including employee reference letters, job offer letters, appreciation and congratulation letters, and more letter examples.

Employment Verification Letter
Employment verification letters are often requested by landlords to confirm that a person is employed at a company. See information on what should be included in the letter and a sample employment verification letter.

Farewell Letters
Farewell message examples to let colleagues, clients, and your connections know that you are moving on. Sending a farewell letter is a good way to update people with new contact information so you can keep in touch in the future.

Inquiry Letters
Use inquiry letters to request meetings and to inquire about job opportunities that haven't been advertised. These letters are a way to get your foot in the door at a prospective employer who hasn't publicly listed available jobs.

Job Offer Letters
Examples of job offer letters, a job rejection letter, counter offer letters, and more letters related to offers of employment.

Job Promotion Letter
A job promotion letter gives information on the promotion, including the employee's new title, salary, and the date the employee is transitioning into the new role.

Networking Letters
Sample job search and career networking letters including referral letters, letters of introduction, and networking outreach letters.

New Employee Letter
Sample welcome letter to send to a new employee, as well as details on the information to include in this type of letter.

Promotion Announcement
Sample email message notifying company employees about a promotion.

Reference Letters
See examples of reference letters, recommendation letters, personal references, professional references, character references, and academic references.

Referral Letters
Referral letter examples including letters and email messages requesting a referral, letters referring employees, a colleague, or an acquaintance for a job, and examples of referral cover letters and thank you letters.

Resignation Letters
If you are planning on quitting a job, review these resignation letter and email examples. They can be used in a variety of situations, including resigning with notice, resigning over email, and resigning effective immediately.

Retirement Letters
See letter examples for retirement announcements when you're retiring, and congratulation letters and emails for connections who have retired.

Termination Letter
Sample termination letter terminating an employee from an organization.

Welcome Back Letters
Examples of welcome back letters for new employees and employees returning to work after a leave.

Microsoft Word Letter Templates
When you need to write an employment letter, it can be helpful to start from a template. Microsoft Word templates are available for resumes, cover letters, resignation letters, reference letters, and interview letters.