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Thank you notes typically are made up of only a few sentences. They typically open with "Dear ______," which is followed by a few sentences describing what the writer is thankful for and why they appreciated the act.
For example, if a person named Walter were writing a thank you note to show appreciation for a shirt that was given to them by an aunt, it could say something along the lines of: "Dear Aunt Ida, Thank you so much for the shirt! I really enjoy the unicorn drawing on the center. I promise to think about you every time I wear it. Thanks again! Love, Walter."
A thank you note to a prospective employer is professional and formal in tone. It might read,
"Thank you for your time today. I appreciate learning more about this excellent opportunity at XYZ, Inc. Please know I am very interested in pursuing this position." -
The length of a thank you note can range from a few sentences to an entire page. It is rare that a traditional thank you note exceeds a single page. Often, they are written on small cards that are approximately three-by-five-inches wide, put into envelopes, sealed and mailed. These notes are typically handwritten, however, it is becoming increasingly popular to write thank you notes via email.
For thank you notes sent after a job interview, use high-quality stock stationery, or
send a typed letter by fax or send a formally-worded email. -
Writing thank you notes, especially personalized ones that directly address the person you appreciate, have some definite benefits. One benefit is that they are a simple yet effective way to show your appreciation.
For a job prospect, thank you notes sent to the person who interviewed you is standard procedure. If you are very keen on the job, send the thank you note that day or the very
next day. Proofread your letter carefully before sending, faxing or emailing it. - Thank you notes function as a simple yet tender gesture of your appreciation. Thank you notes do not always have to be exceptionally personal, in fact they are used very often in a business setting as well. For example, it is not uncommon for a potential employee to write a thank you note to the manager at a job he or she is applying for thanking them for an interview or for their consideration of employment.
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While thank you notes can often be used on an everyday basis, they are usually reserved for showing appreciation to actions or gifts given on important days in the sender's life. That is, thank you notes are most commonly sent after wedding, bridal showers, baby showers, graduations and anniversaries. They are significant because they fall in line with traditional etiquette.
For business thank yous, it is a way to emphasize your interest in a particular job and to show that prospective employer that you are able to communicate promptly and professionally.
