Thank-You Messages, Phrases, and Wording Examples

Thank-You Messages, Phrases, and Wording Examples
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Hugo Lin / The Balance

Writing a thank-you message is a lovely gesture to express your appreciation, as well as your gratitude for the support someone has provided you. There are many opportunities to send them, too.

A thank-you note could make the difference between getting the job, client, or contract and being passed over in the business world. A thank-you note after an interview can solidify the impression you left with the interviewer and make you stand out from the competition.

Here are some of the best words and phrases to use to say thank you and show your appreciation to the recipient.

Key Takeaways

  • Writing a thank-you note or email is a way to show how much you appreciate the recipient.
  • To make the best impression, it's important to write your thank-you notes to fit the circumstances.
  • Thank-you notes can be handwritten, typed, or emailed depending on your preference and how quickly you want to relay your appreciation.

Words and Phrases to Use to Say Thank You

What's the best way to show your appreciation? When you're writing a thank-you note, choose a phrase that fits the reason you are saying thank you.

If someone has helped you at work, on a project, or with a problem, let them know you appreciate the assistance. If you are sending a job interview thank-you note, thank the interviewer for his or her consideration. When people give you career advice or a tip on a job opening, tell them you appreciate the guidance or the suggestion.

When you're sending a personal thank-you message, simply stating your appreciation is often all you need to do—your note does not need to be lengthy.

Note

If you take the time to say thank you, it will always be appreciated, regardless of the circumstances. People like to be thanked, and they remember those who take the time to send a note or email.

General Thank-You Phrases

These general thank-you phrases can be used for all personal and professional communications:

  • Thank you so much.
  • Thank you very much.
  • I appreciate your consideration.
  • I appreciate your guidance.
  • I appreciate your help.
  • I appreciate your time.
  • I sincerely appreciate...
  • My sincere appreciation.
  • My sincere gratitude.
  • My sincere thanks.
  • My thanks and appreciation.
  • Please accept my deepest thanks.
  • Thank you for your assistance.
  • Thank you for your consideration.
  • Thank you for your encouragement.
  • Thank you for your guidance.
  • Thank you for your support.
  • Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
  • Thank you for your time. 

Business Thank-You Phrases

Sending a business thank-you note is not only professional, it’s a way to build a relationship with your professional business contacts.

  • I appreciate your assistance and look forward to our continued partnership.
  • Many thanks for giving me this opportunity.
  • Thank you for referring [individual name] to me for [services provided].
  • Thank you for referring us to [company name].
  • Thanks very much for the assistance you provide my business. I sincerely appreciate it.

Personal Thank-You Phrases

Use these phrases to let someone know how much you appreciate what they have done for you:

  • I am grateful for your support.
  • I appreciate you.
  • I appreciate your taking the time.
  • I value the insights and guidance you provide.
  • I wanted to thank you as soon as possible.
  • I truly appreciate the confidence you showed in me.
  • I very much appreciate your help.
  • It was very thoughtful of you.
  • Thank you for your assistance.
  • Thank you for everything you do.
  • You are always so helpful.
  • You are the best.
  • You have been most helpful.
  • You have my gratitude.

Professional and Career-Related Thank-Yous

It’s always a good idea to thank everyone who has helped with your job search and career or provided other professional advice or assistance.

  • I am so very thankful for your time.
  • I appreciate the information and advice you have shared.
  • I sincerely appreciate the assistance.
  • Many thanks for your assistance.
  • Many thanks for your time.
  • Thank you for accepting my connection request.
  • Thank you for connecting with me.
  • Thank you for the assistance you have provided me with during my job search.
  • Thank you for all the help you have given me with my job search. 
  • Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I very much appreciate the time you spent discussing career options with me.
  • Thank you for providing me with advice.
  • Thank you for sharing your expertise.
  • Thank you for speaking with me. Your insights were truly helpful.
  • Thank you for spending time with me.
  • Thank you for taking time from your schedule to talk to me.

Thank You for Your Consideration

When you’re requesting something from an individual or an organization, be sure to add “thank you for the consideration” or one of the following options to your email or letter:

  • Thank you very much for your consideration.
  • Thank you for your consideration and forthcoming response.
  • Thank you for your consideration and attention to this matter.
  • Thank you for considering my request.
  • I am very grateful for your consideration.
  • I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.
  • I sincerely appreciate your consideration.

Thank You for Your Help and Support

Has someone helped you out? Be sure to take the time to relay your gratitude.

  • I appreciate your help.
  • I am grateful for your help.
  • I am so very grateful for your time.
  • I greatly appreciate your help.
  • Thank you for such a wonderful contribution.
  • Thank you for taking the time.
  • Thank you for taking the trouble to help me.
  • Thank you for all the help!
  • Thank you for your assistance with this matter.
  • Thank you so much for the help. Please let me know if I can return the favor.
  • I am grateful for your help.
  • I very much appreciate your support.
  • Thank you for your support.

Thank You for a Job Interview

Thanking the interviewer after a one-on-one interview not only shows your appreciation; it’s also a reminder that you’re a strong candidate for the job.

  • I appreciate having the opportunity to speak with you today about the [job title] position at [company name]. 
  • I appreciate the time you and the [company name] team spent interviewing me.
  • I appreciate your time and consideration in interviewing me for this position.
  • I enjoyed speaking with you about the opportunity to work with your company.
  • I greatly appreciate the time you took to interview me.
  • I sincerely appreciate the time you took to interview me.
  • I sincerely enjoyed meeting with you to discuss the [job title] opening.
  • I would like to thank you and your staff for the opportunity to meet with you.
  • Many thanks for the opportunity to meet with you.
  • Thank you for speaking with me about the [job title] position at [company name].
  • Thank you for the courtesy you extended to me during my interview.

Note

When you write a thank-you note after an interview, the gesture shows appreciation for the employer’s interest, time, and attention, reiterates your enthusiasm and interest in the job opening, and reminds the employer about your qualifications and experience.

Thank You for Providing a Reference or Referral

Reference writing can be labor-intensive, and it can also take time to refer someone for a job. Your connections will appreciate receiving a thank-you email or message. Also, take the time to let them know when you've obtained a new position.

  • I appreciate your taking the time to write a reference for me.
  • I really appreciate the reference you gave to [company name] on my behalf.
  • Thank you for taking the time to provide me with a reference.
  • Thank you very much for recommending me for the position.
  • Thank you for referring me for the job at [company name].
  • Thank you so very much for referring me for the [job title] position at [company name]. 
  • Thank you so much for putting me in touch with [individual name] at [company name].
  • Thank you so much; I really appreciate it!

Workplace Thank-You Phrases

Bosses and employees love to be thanked, especially when they do something extra.

  • I really appreciate the effort you have contributed to your team's project. 
  • I sincerely appreciate your flexibility and willingness to help.
  • I wanted to express my personal gratitude for the effort and extra time you have contributed.
  • Thank you for your confidence and support.
  • Thank you for your help. I'm thrilled to have you on our team.
  • Thank you for always going above and beyond.
  • Thank you for showing what it means to be part of a team.
  • Thank you so much for meeting with me yesterday regarding the project I’m working on.

Note

A well-written message of appreciation can show your team or colleagues how highly you regard their hard work or let your boss know that you value their support. Writing a personal thank-you note is a way to show how much you appreciate the recipient.

How to Close Your Message

How you end your message or note is important, too. A professional closing such as “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” or “With appreciation” will add a nice finishing touch to your communication.

How and When to Say Thank-You

When you're job searching, you'll have many different opportunities to say thank you to prospective employers and those who assist you. In the workplace, a timely note of appreciation is a good way to recognize those who have taken the time to help you out.

Types of Thank-You Notes

Thank-you notes can be handwritten, typed, or emailed, depending on preference and circumstances. Thanking someone for acting as a reference for you, providing a referral, or letting you shadow them at their job, for example, doesn’t require the swift delivery that an interview thank-you would for a role where the hiring process is going to move along quickly, requiring you to send your thanks immediately after your interview.

If the job you're interviewing for isn't for an immediate hire, a handwritten thank-you note can help you stand out from the competition.

A handwritten note will give the reader a tangible reminder of your appreciation. A small business or colleague may look kindly on a handwritten note, while a corporate contact will probably expect, and prefer, an emailed note.

A typed letter is a formal way to show your appreciation and document the details of why you're writing. In the workplace, appreciation letters may be included in an employee's personnel file.

Note

If time isn't essential, consider sending a handwritten card or note, but remember that corporate contacts will likely prefer an emailed note.

When to Send a Thank-You Note

Timing is almost as important as what you say. An email will make an immediate impression. That's key if you're in contention for a job, especially at a medium-sized to large company. An interview thank-you note should be sent within 24 hours of the interview.

For other types of thank-you correspondence, you don't need to write it immediately, but don't wait too long. It's important to relay your thanks while it's still relevant to you and the recipient.

Review a Thank-You Note Example

Here's an example of a thank-you email from a manager thanking an employee for their support.

Thank-You Email Sample

Subject: Thank You

Dear Janine,

Thank you so much for all your assistance as we restructured the marketing team. Your help and insight were greatly appreciated as we stepped through the process.

I'm so glad to have you as a part of this team. In the time you have been here, you have helped to make things run smoothly and made our organization more efficient.

I genuinely appreciate your willingness to contribute wherever needed. This kind of flexibility and dedication will help this company grow to its full potential.

Sincerely,

Carlos Sanchez
Human Resources Manager

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long should a thank-you note be?

An email thank-you message or a written thank-you note doesn’t need to be longer than a few paragraphs. Relay your thanks, specify what you’re thanking the person for, and reiterate your appreciation in the final paragraph.

What’s the best way to send a thank-you note?

Email is the best way to send a time-sensitive thank-you note. When it’s important to reach out immediately, such as after a job interview, send an email. If your message doesn’t need to be received right away, it may be better to send a handwritten card, which can make a more positive impression.

Should you send a thank-you note after a job interview?

It’s always a good idea to say thank you for a job interview. In addition to showing your appreciation for the interviewer’s time, it also allows you to reiterate your interest in the position and highlight takeaways from the interview. Email is a quick and easy way to relay your thanks to an interviewer.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. CareerOneStop. "Thank-You Notes."

  2. CareerOneStop. "Follow-Up After Interview."

  3. CareerOneStop. "Request Job References."

  4. SHRM. "The Importance of a Handwritten Thank You."

  5. SHRM. "Letter of Appreciation."

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