Job Search Help Thank You Letter Examples

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Job searching is often stressful, but there are bright spots. For example, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn just how many people are willing to help you out when you’re looking for work.

From proofreading your resume to offering you connections to hiring managers at your dream employer, your network can prove invaluable during a job search. This provides you with an opportunity to strengthen those ties in the simplest and best way possible: saying thank you.

No favor is too small to deserve your thanks. After all, you never know what will lead to your next big opportunity. So, take the time to thank everyone who helps you with your job search. Review and customize these sample letters and emails to say “thank you” for the job search help.

Whom to Thank When You're Job Hunting

People whom you should thank for help in a job search include supervisors or co-workers who have provided you with professional references, friends or colleagues who have helped you in writing your resume and cover letter, or connections at the hiring firm that you know have put in a good word for you there. These people are invested in your success, and will be interested in hearing the results of their assistance.

The other key person you should consider sending a thank-you letter is the hiring/human resources manager of a firm you have interviewed with, even if you did not ultimately land a job with their company. Hiring managers often keep records of their “A-level” job candidates in case future appropriate openings arise within their organization.

They also maintain networks with other employers in their community, and will sometimes voluntarily inform candidates who have impressed them about rising job openings they hear about through these professional networks.

How to Send Thank-You Letters for Job Search Help

Before you begin writing your thank-you letters, here are a few general tips to follow.

Learn What to Say and How to Say It

To be most effective, send your thank-you letter or email within 24 hours and make sure it adheres to these guidelines. Keep your letter brief and to the point and make sure you know your audience. A thank-you letter for a job interview will be a very different message than a note to a good friend and colleague who’s introduced you to a new networking contact—but both messages should be sincere, professional, and easy to read.

Make Your Letter Work for You

Have you thought of something you wish you’d said during the job interview—or would you like the chance to redeem a bad interview? Now’s the time to do it. Your thank-you letter can double as a chance to clear up misunderstandings or emphasis your qualifications. These tips will help make sure your letter is working hard for you.

Review Thank-You Letter Examples

You don’t have to come up with your letter from scratch. Use thank-you-letter examples to help you craft a thank-you for a job interview, internship thank-you letter, thanks for the informational interview, thanks for help, and a variety of other messages. Just be sure to customize your note before you send it.

How to Send Your Note via Email

If you are sending an email letter, there is no need to include your physical return address or your contact's address. Do list your contact phone and email information in your signature, however, so that the person you are writing knows how to find you should professional opportunities arise in the future.

Sample Thank-You Letters for Job Search Help

This is a job search help thank you letter example. Download the thank you letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Screenshot of a job search help thank you letter example
©TheBalance 2018

Sample Thank-You Letter for Job Search Help (Text Version)

Nicole Rodriguez
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
nicole.rodriguez@email.com

September 1, 2018

Leon Lee
Human Resource Manager
Acme Communications
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Leon, (or Mr./Ms. Last Name if you don't know them well)

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for the valuable assistance you’ve given me during my job search.

You have generously shared your expertise and experience with me, and I truly appreciate the support and the networking contacts you have given me during this time. I believe that, because of your assistance, I am better prepared to find my next position.

I truly appreciate the time you spent to help me, and I’ll let you know what happens. Please let’s keep in touch – I’d be happy to provide a glowing reference or evaluation for you should you ever need one.

Best regards,

Nicole Rodriguez
555-555-5555
nicole.rodriguez@email.com

Sample Thank You Letter for Resume Help (Text Version)

Dear Clara,

Thank you, so very much, for the help that you gave me in writing my resume and cover letter for my current job search.

As you know, I found the prospect of trying to describe my work experience to prospective employers a little daunting. Yet you knew exactly how I should structure the resume, and thanks to you, I’ve already started receiving calls from the employers I sent it to.

I truly appreciate your help – I’ll let you know what happens and I hope you’ll let me take you out to celebrate once I’ve found my next job!

Best regards,

Andre Smith
555-123-3456
andre@email.com

Sample Thank You Letter for Interview Help (Text Version)

Dear Mr. Anderson,

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for the valuable assistance you provided me during my interview process with Acme Corps.

The information you provided me regarding your company’s work climate, the position requirements, and your interviewing process was invaluable in preparing me both for my initial interview with you and for my subsequent interviews with Cheryl Miller and Abel Rhys. Your efforts went a long way toward making me feel comfortable and engaged even in the midst of what I know was a highly competitive job search.

I truly appreciate the time you spent to help me prepare for my interviews. Please let me know if future positions appropriate to my skillset arise with your organization.

Best regards,

Jane Cho
555-876-4321
Jane.Cho@email.com

Key Takeaways

  • When someone helps you in your job search, send a thank-you note. A handwritten letter or personal email will show just how much their assistance means to you.
  • Sending a thank-you note will also have other benefits. It will make the recipient more likely to help you in the future and strengthen your professional relationship.
  • Use thank-you letter and email samples to guide your writing. Be sure to personalize your note, however, to make the right impression.
  • Proofread and edit your letter before sending. Make sure your final product is professional, perfect, and typo-free.