Congratulations Note and Email Examples

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When a colleague or business connection has an achievement to celebrate, a congratulations letter or handwritten note is always appreciated. If you have time, send a paper card or letter. If not, even a thoughtfully written email will do. 

Taking the time to send a congratulations note, whether it's for a new job, promotion, a successful venture, or simply for a job well done, is terrific for networking and relationship building. 

If you send an email, put "Congratulations from [Your Name]” in the subject line, so the recipient is sure to open your message.

Congratulations Note Examples

Here are examples of congratulations letters and email messages for a variety of employment-related situations, such as a new job, a promotion, starting a business, retiring, accomplishments at work, and more. As you review these examples, keep in mind that they are intended to be models.

Think about how you can tailor and personalize the wording to reflect the specific occasion and person you are celebrating.

New job: Send a letter to congratulate a colleague or friend who has a first job, new job, or who has started their own business:

Promotion: Did someone you know just get a promotion? For most employees, promotions are hard-won and are rare enough that earning one merits applause from friends and co-workers. Here's how to enthusiastically, yet tactfully, congratulate a friend or colleague on moving up the career ladder:

  • Promotion Congratulations Letter

Congratulations at work: When someone has done a great job at work, it's nice to let them know they are appreciated. It builds camaraderie and a strong team spirit, promotes consistent project ownership, contributes to the employee’s job satisfaction, and encourages them to “keep up the good work.” These examples will give you a starting point for your notes and email messages:

Moving on: These letters recognize a milestone in the recipient's life—whether it's retiring, relocating, accepting a position with a different employer, or otherwise moving on in their professional or personal life.

Volunteering: Congratulating someone on volunteering is a nice touch. It's a way to recognize that the person is giving of their own time to help others, and can help to build a solid culture of volunteerism in your organization.

Whether you are sending a letter or an email, you can also copy the recipient’s supervisor, senior managers, or team members, so the recipient knows their contributions have been noted and appreciated across your organization.

Congratulations Email Messages

These email templates are appropriate to use when you do not have the time to write and post a traditional handwritten note, or for when the only contact information you have for the recipient is an email address:

Saying Congratulations on LinkedIn

On a related note, an easy and efficient way to keep track of your connections is to check the updates you receive from LinkedIn.

 You'll see who has changed jobs and who has been promoted, and you'll be able to send a note of congratulations directly through LinkedIn.

More Letter and Email Samples

These additional career search and business letter samples—including cover letters, interview thank you letters, follow-up letters, job acceptance and rejection letters, resignation letters, appreciation letters, business letters, and more great employment letter samples—will help you get an interview and to follow up and handle all the employment-related correspondence you need to write.