A thank you letter for a recommendation is a professional note that you write for someone who took the time to draft a letter of recommendation for you. It is a short but polite letter that shows your gratitude and helps maintain a professional connection with them.
Since the person took the time to write you a letter that could benefit you greatly in your profession, it’s considered the right thing to do to cordially respond to them. They can either be sent as emails or as handwritten notes.
This article will discuss the importance of a thank you letter for a recommendation and how to create one properly.
Importance
When you ask an individual to take the time to send a recommendation letter about their professional or academic achievements, that can be an essential task for them. Not only does it require a lot of time to carry out, but the letter of recommendation could be a life-changing event for you. So, when an individual takes up this task and creates an adequate letter for you, the professionally courteous thing to do is to thank them formally. Additionally, it is essential on a personal level to make them feel like their time was valued, and so, they’ll be likely to provide a reference in the future should the need arise.
It is essential to write a thank you letter for recommendations on both professional and personal levels. It also helps maintain professional contact with the referrer, so you’ll be working on your networking skills and keeping vital contact for the future.
note
When to send? The best time to send the letter is as quickly as possible. As soon as the person has written their reference letter for you, it’s a good idea to thank them immediately and show your gratitude.
Pre-Considerations
Before you begin writing up your thank you letter, there are a couple of steps you can take to make sure that your letter is appropriate and save a bit of time for yourself:
Plan your letter
Before writing your letter, it’s important to make sure you plan it well. It’s a good idea to jot down some quick ideas that you want to express beforehand; this is a structure that you can follow as you begin to write it.
Review examples and templates
One of the best ways to get inspired and write an appropriate thank you letter is by following examples and templates. Mainly because, depending on your situation, you may need a specific kind of letter, so it’s best to follow a template and then personalize it.
What should I include?
All thank you letters for recommendations will have similar components that must be included in the writing.
During the writing process, make sure to include the following:
A header at the beginning of the letter shows the name and contact information of the person you’re addressing. This formality demonstrates a professional writing style and makes sure that the letter reaches its intended reader. The header also includes the date of writing the letter.
Purpose of writing the letter
As with many letters, the appropriate way to begin is with a clear statement that addresses the purpose of writing the letter. This makes sure that the reader understands immediately why they are being addressed and sets the tone for the rest of the letter.
Thank you for your statement
The next logical step is to write a sentence or two that demonstrates your gratitude. You can say “thank you” or something along those lines. You can make it more personal or formal, depending on your relationship with them, but in either case, the goal is to show your appreciation for their efforts.
Recognition of the recommender’s role
The individual who writes the letter has a crucial role in your application process, so, there can be a great deal of pressure on them. Therefore, you should point out how important their letter was. This way, they understand their work has a purpose and the ability to affect your life positively. Since they put so much effort into helping you, it is a good idea to inform them of their role in your success.
Closing
Finally, you should appropriately end the letter with some professional signup. This will vary depending on your relationship with the person and the level of formality in which you are writing.
EXAMPLE
You could write “Best”, “Warm Regards”, or anything similar. You’ll want to include your full name if you are writing a physical letter. It should go on the line right after your closing statement.
tip
Depending on who is writing your reference letter, there is some additional information you can include in your follow-up thank-you note. For example, if you are writing to a professor who was exceptionally important to you, you should mention how much you enjoyed their class or how they have impacted you. To a professional, this is a great feeling, so a short thank-you letter is a wonderful way to show some appreciation. You can also thank them on a more personal level.
For example, if they provided you with guidance or some advice throughout your relationship with them, you could also mention your appreciation. In other words, you aren’t limited to writing about their quality as a teacher inside the classroom; you can also mention your appreciation for them as a teacher from a holistic academic perspective. They’ve helped you on your entire journey, so don’t feel like you can only write about your classroom experience.
Template of Thank You Letter for Recommendation
[Date]
[Referrer’s name]
[Referrer’s Contact Info]
Dear [Name],
I am writing to thank you for taking the time to write a reference letter on my behalf. I have received a call from [Job application company name] and will be interviewing with them in [mention, when your interview will be held]. Thank you for writing a letter of recommendation to [Hiring Manager/ company name]as it surely played a large role.
Your recommendation will genuinely make me stand out as a successful candidate, and I am sure that [another polite sign of gratitude about their role].
Thank you again for taking the time out of your day to write a reference letter for me. I’m sure you are pretty busy with other important tasks, so I appreciate you setting aside the time to write a letter for me. If there is anything I can do for you in the future, please do not hesitate to ask.
[Salutation],
[Name]
[Signature]
Sample of Thank You Letter for Recommendation
This section includes a free sample letter intended to assist readers in conveying sincere appreciation to mentors and supervisors for their pivotal role in providing recommendation letters.
sample
Dear Dr. Johnson,
I am writing to sincerely thank you for the exceptional recommendation letter you wrote for my application to the Advanced Research Fellowship at Boston University. Your endorsement was a significant factor in the selection committee’s consideration and has opened the door to an incredible opportunity for me.
Your detailed account of our collaborative work on the AI-driven climate modeling project not only highlighted my technical skills but also emphasized my commitment to innovative research. I am deeply grateful for the time and thought you put into crafting such a persuasive and personal recommendation.
I am thrilled to share with you that, due in large part to your influential letter, I have been selected as one of the fellows for the program. This fellowship is a pivotal step in my career, offering a chance to work with some of the leading minds in environmental science and technology. Your support and mentorship have been crucial in helping me reach this milestone.
Thank you once again for your generosity and for believing in my potential. As I embark on this new journey, I am inspired to uphold the high standards of excellence and dedication that you exemplify. I look forward to keeping you updated on my progress and achievements in the fellowship.
Warm regards,
Jane Doe
Analysis
The sample letter is an exemplary model of a professional and heartfelt thank-you letter, demonstrating several key elements that are essential in crafting effective correspondence of this nature. Firstly, the letter is characterized by its clarity of purpose and expression of sincere gratitude. The writer effectively communicates her appreciation for the recipient’s recommendation, emphasizing its significant role in her selection for the Advanced Research Fellowship at Boston University. This direct acknowledgment of their support sets a respectful and appreciative tone.
Additionally, the letter is notable for its specificity and personalization. By referencing their collaborative work on the AI-driven climate modeling project, Jane adds a personal dimension to her gratitude, showing that her thanks are not generic but thoughtfully tailored to the recipient’s specific contributions. This level of detail not only reinforces the sincerity of her appreciation but also reminds the recipient of their shared professional journey and achievements.
Furthermore, the writer eloquently explains the impact of the recipient’s support, sharing the positive outcome—her selection as a fellow—and attributing a significant part of this success to his influential letter. This approach not only conveys her gratitude but also allows the recipient to understand the value and effectiveness of their support.
In sum, the letter serves as an excellent guide for writing a professional thank-you note. Its combination of clear purpose, personalization, and detailed acknowledgment of impact makes it an effective and heartfelt expression of gratitude. Such a letter not only strengthens professional relationships but also leaves a lasting positive impression on the recipient.
Free Templates
Given below are thank you letter for recommendation templates:
Tips for You
There are a few essential tips and tricks to keep in mind as you write your letter. If you want your thank-you note to come off as professional and courteous, make sure to follow these steps as you are writing:
Choose correct format
One of the most important steps is to consider who you are writing to and choose the correct format.
EXAMPLE
If your referrer is a very traditional person, they may prefer a handwritten note as “Mr. or Mrs.”
However, someone you are more personal with may prefer a quick email using their first name. So you should take into consideration the type of person to whom you will be writing, then choose a format that will fit them best. After all, you should try to appear courteous and thoughtful.
Proofread
Next, you must proofread your recommendation thank-you letter for grammar and spelling errors. This letter should be professional, so any errors in your writing could ruin the letter. It is good to have someone review your letter or let a day pass between your writing and proofreading.
Be prompt
Finally, you should be prompt and brief in both your delivery and writing. You should demonstrate a degree of timeliness to maintain a professional appearance. So your letter should be short and to the point, and you should send the letter as soon as possible.
tip
Send an email to thank you for the recommendation. If you choose an email over a letter, the format and structure should be relatively similar to a handwritten note. The email should have a clear subject line and recognize how vital their reference letter was. The format should be consistent with a business email and should be proofread. If your industry or contact is quite traditional, it’s generally preferred to write a handwritten note. Likewise, sometimes a handwritten thank-you letter can leave a more personal impression than an email, so consider that before sending it out.
Conclusion
A thank-you letter for a recommendation is a critical note to send to someone who went out of their way to help you. As it isn’t anyone’s obligation to write a referral for you, it’s appropriate to take the time to show your appreciation for their efforts. This tiny gesture of gratitude does not take much effort, but it does go a long way in maintaining a professional attitude and keeping in contact with those you know will help you. As each situation should be considered before writing, consider who you are writing to make sure the thank you note is as personal and practical as possible. In the end, a little show of gratitude can go a long way.
About This Article
