Summer Job Thank-You Letter Sample

Summer jobs can be hard to come by, depending on where you live. If you have been talented, ambitious, and fortunate enough to be hired for the summer, it's always a good idea to write a thank-you letter for the opportunity at the end of the season.

If you've spent your summer as an intern rather than an employee, be sure to share your appreciation. Here's how to thank your employer for the experience you've gained.

Why Write a Thank-You Letter for a Summer Job

Saying thank you to your employer is a matter of more than good manners. Leaving on a positive note will help to ensure that your employer will provide a good job reference for you, if called upon to do so.

No one can predict what their local job market will look like in nine or twelve months. Even if you think you have no desire to work there ever again, it's smart to keep your options open in case you find yourself in need of a summer job in the future.

What to Include in a Summer Job Thank-You Letter

Before you begin to write your thank-you letter, sit down and think about the things you appreciated and enjoyed about the job.

• Were there fellow employees who were helpful and fun to be around?
• Were you challenged (in a good way) by your daily work tasks?
• Were you impressed by your employer’s work climate, business mission, or success in providing excellent customer service to its clients?
• What were some of the highlights of your summer work?
• Were you treated with respect?

Once you’ve listed a few things that you enjoyed about the job, be sure to mention them in your note.

If applicable, you may also use your thank-you letter to ask whether the employer would be willing to serve as a professional reference for you in future.

This is a particularly smart thing to do if the summer job is in any way related to your future career goals. For example, a camp counselor who wants to be a teacher should definitely ask the camp for a referral, since the summer experience involved working with children.

Be sure to include your contact information (email and phone number) so that your employer knows where to reach you if future job openings arise, or if they receive requests for referrals from hiring committees that you may apply to after graduation.

Sending a Summer Job Thank-You Letter

Below you’ll find an example of a thank-you letter designed to thank your employer after you have completed a summer job (with hopes of working there again). You can use this sample as a model for your own letter, tailoring it to reflect your own individual circumstances.

Emailing Your Thank-You Note

If you send it via email, list your name and "thank you" in the subject line of the message. List your contact information below your signature when sending a thank-you email message.

More Tips for Writing Thank-You Letters

Even after your days as a seasonal / summer employee are over, you’ll find that the ability to write employment-related thank-you letters will be an essential professional skill that you will need on frequent occasions.

After you complete a personal interview for your first full-time job, you’ll need to pen a thank-you letter (here are some tips for writing, timing, proofing, and sending individual and group job interview letters).

The same holds true for when you’ve been given an internship opportunity, an informational interview, or even assistance on a project from a colleague or supervisor. These thank-you letter samples demonstrate the many instances in the business world where it is considered good form to write a formal expression of your gratitude.