Tips to Writing a Thank You Letter

Writing thank you letters has become a lost art.

Thank you letters are important in the professional and business world, as well as in the more personal relationships we share with family and friends. A well-written thank you letter lets the recipient know that you are grateful and that you do not take her for granted.

Introductions and Greetings

A thank you letter in response to a job interview or other business-related setting requires a professional approach. The business letter should have at the top the sender's information -- name, address, telephone and email address, the recipient's information, name and address and the date. The greeting should be a simple Dear Mr. or Ms. with the first and last name of the person or only the last name.

A thank you letter written to a friend or family member requires only a simple personal greeting. The greeting of personal thank you note should simply be Dear (followed by the name of the person). Use a first name or first and last name depending on the nature of your relationship.

The Body of the Letter

A thank you letter written in response to a job interview provides the opportunity to not only show gratitude for the interview but to provide additional information. The body of the letter can be used to include an expression of thanks for being considered, confirmation about your interest in the position and to insert a few additional details about qualifications that may not have been addressed during the interview.

A personal thank you letter, on the other hand, should only concern itself with expressing gratitude for a particular gift, moral support and friendship, and so forth. Express gratitude for the past action and letter the person know that you look forward to seeing them in the future.

Concluding Remarks

The conclusion of a thank you letter, both business and personal, should be simple and sweet. End the business thank you note with "thank you," "sincerely," or "best regards," followed by your full name. Leave two spaces between you name and the end of the letter. Write you name in ink in the empty space. End a personal thank you letter with a more intimate remark such as "Love" followed by your name.

Writing Materials

Business thank you letters should be typed with a single space setting on professional quality white paper. Avoid strange or eccentric colors of paper. Personal thank you letters should be hand-written with blue or black ink. Use attractive stationery or note cards. Avoid cards that already have "Thank You" printed on them.

References

• "WorkTree.com"; Tips For Writing Thank You Letters; Nathan Newberger
• The Morning News; How To Write A Thank-You Note; Leslie Harpold; Oct. 1, 2003