Thank You Letters: Free Examples and Templates

Thanking hiring managers and recruiters for taking the time to interview you shows you have good people skills and reinforces your interest in the job.

We’ll teach you how to write a thank you letter that leaves a lasting positive impression and provide helpful examples.

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Our Expert:

Eva Chan

Thank you letter (after interview) templates

Writing a thank you letter to follow up after a job interview demonstrates your enthusiasm and improves your odds of getting a job offer. Use these templates to write your own follow-up thank you letter.

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After a phone interview

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After a second interview

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After a group interview

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Professional thank you letter

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Sincere thank you letter

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Formal thank you letter

Scholarship thank you letter templates

Whether you’ve received a partial scholarship or a full-ride, you should express gratitude to your donors for contributing to your future.

Discover how to write a scholarship thank you letter to show your appreciation and customize our free templates with your information.

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College scholarship

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High school scholarship

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Thank you to donors

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Thank you to sponsorss

What to include in a thank you letter

Unsure what belongs in a thank you letter? Learn what each section of a thank you letter contains by using our guide down below:

How to write a thank you letter

Write a professional thank you letter by including the following components:

1. Your contact details and today’s date

Similar to how you would write a cover letter, place your contact details at the top left or top center of your thank you letter.

Here are the contact details to include on your thank you letter:

• your first and last name
• phone number
• email

Next, leave a space under your contact information and include the current date in the upper right corner of the page, using the format DD/MM/YYYY.

2. The individual or organization’s contact details

List the addressee’s contact information to show you’ve taken the time to personalize your thank you letter.

Add the following recipient contact details:

• Organization name
• Company address

If you’re sending a thank you letter via email, don’t include today’s date, the recipient’s full contact details, or your contact details. The email will already be time stamped and include both of your email addresses.

Instead, address your recipient as [Mr./Ms./Mx.] [Last Name,] at the start of your email and provide your name and phone number below your signature.

3. Salutation

Remember to address the recipient appropriately in your thank you letter. The standard salutation is “Dear.”

Include the appropriate title [Mr.Ms.Mx.] before their last name if you don’t know them well (e.g., Dear Ms. Jones,). If you do know the person well, address them directly by first name (e.g., Dear Andrea,).

Writing a scholarship thank you letter and don’t know the name of the person you’re addressing it to? Address your thank you letter as:

Dear [Scholarship Donor or Organization’s Name],

4. Opening paragraph

Your opening paragraph should directly thank the individual or organization who helped you. Include information about who you are, why you’re writing to them, and your connection to the person or organization.

5. Body paragraphs

Use your 1–3 body paragraphs to provide specific details in your thank you letter. These details can include:

• why you’re thankful for the recipient’s assistance
• what you learned from the experience
• how your skills or experience will benefit them (if you’re applying for a job)
• what your future plans and goals are

6. Closing paragraph

End your thank you letter by sincerely restating your thanks, and reminding the recipient again why you’re writing to them.

7. Signature

Close your thank you letter with an appropriate ending such as “Sincerely,” leave a space, and then sign or type your name.

3 tips for sending a professional thank you letter

Here are three tips for writing a thank you letter that effectively shows your gratitude:

1. Be concise and specify why you’re writing your letter

Thank you letters should be brief to show appreciation for the recipient’s time, so remember to use short paragraphs that clearly explain why you’re writing the letter.

Also, be sure to personalize your thank you letter. Provide specific details about yourself and the recipient or organization, so your thank you letter comes off as thoughtful and sincere.

2. Send your thank you letter as soon as possible

You should submit your thank you letter immediately after an interview, right upon receiving a scholarship, or as soon as you have something to thank someone for, ideally within 24-48 hours.

Sending your letter promptly shows the reader you’re thankful for their time or help, and makes you appear thoughtful.

3. Proofread your thank you letter before sending it

Don’t forget to proofread your letter for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

Try using a tool like Grammarly or asking a friend or family member to edit your thank you letter before sending it.

Thank you letter FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions about thank you letters:

What is a thank you letter?

A thank you letter (also known as an appreciation letter) is a typed or handwritten one-page document that shows your gratitude toward the recipient for providing a service, gift, or opportunity.

Experts encourage directly mailing or emailing a typed thank you letter every time you want to say thank you in a professional setting — such as receiving a scholarship or being invited to an interview.

By contrast, you can send a handwritten thank you note in person or by post in a casual setting (like writing to a friend or family member).

Why should I write a thank you letter?

You should write a thank you letter because it shows professionalism and respect, and people simply liked being thanked in most situations.

Writing a thank you letter also makes you more memorable to professional connections and helps to maintain future contact with them.

For instance, taking the time to send a personalized and well-thought-out thank you letter after an interview sets you apart from other applicants and can help you land the job.

Additionally, when you express your gratitude and continue to create positive connections with others, your future employer is more likely to write you a letter of recommendation if you ever need one.