Updated July 21, 2023
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The thank you for a letter of recommendation is a courtesy note given to an individual who has taken the time to provide a reference on behalf of an applicant. Showing your gratitude in this particular way will not only demonstrate your appreciation for their recommendation, but it will also heighten your chances of gaining a second letter should that be necessary for the future. An adequate thank you letter could easily be delivered as a short email, however, one that is handwritten will have more of a personal impact. Below you will find a brief guide on writing a letter of this variety, complete with samples to assist you in writing one of your own.
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A thank you letter doesn’t need to be an over-the-top display of gratitude; a well-written paragraph or two will suffice. The letter should state the status of your progress, whether you’ve been employed, accepted into an educational program, or whatever the case may be. More importantly, your letter should state your gratitude and appreciation for their recommendation. In addition to this, you may want to offer the individual something from your skillset or area of expertise in exchange for their time and effort.
Sample 1 – After Acceptance
Dear Mr. Cooper,
I am writing to you today to express my deepest gratitude for your letter of recommendation. Your comments have enthused the management team at John Smith Construction and, as a result, I have been employed as head of their operations division. I sincerely believe that your reference gave me an edge over the other applicants and paved the way for my successful interview. If there is anything I can do to repay the kind words, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Baxter Gordon
Sample 2 – For a Job
January 1, 2017
Jannet Rogers
123 Fake Street
Bloomfield, New Jersey, 07003
Dear Mrs. Rogers,
While I have yet to hear back from Fake Software regarding the status of my job application, I would like to say thank you for the letter of recommendation you sent to Dean Smith. The interview went better than expected and I owe a large part of that to your gracious recommendation letter.
If it weren’t for your recommendation, I feel that I wouldn’t have stood out quite as much from the other applicants as many of them were more qualified for the position. I truly believe that your endorsement of my character put me ahead of the pack.
Thank you once again for your letter of recommendation. I know you have a busy schedule and it means so much to me that you would take the time to write such an impactful letter. Please don’t hesitate to give me a call in the future if there is any way I can be of service to you.
All the best,
Ben Mascotty
Sample 3 – For a Professor
Dear Professor Winslow,
I would like to thank you for the recommendation letter you sent to FSU in regards to my graduate school application. Your support has been extremely appreciated throughout the entire process. A reference from a member of the academic community as respected as yourself was hugely advantageous, I am truly privileged to have had your assistance.
You will be happy to learn that I have been accepted into the school’s business marketing program and I am more than eager to start this next chapter of my life. I will keep you updated with my progress and I’ll be sure to visit whenever possible.
Once again, thank you for your recommendation.
Your friend,
Korben Dallas