How to write a thank-you letter for a letter of recommendation.

Learn how to write a thank-you note that sincerely expresses your gratitude for a recommendation letter.

Need to learn how to write a thank-you note for a recommendation but not sure where to start? A recommendation letter can be essential for securing a job or a place at a college. Afterward, you should write a thank-you note to your referrer. Not only is it good manners, but it can also help maintain a professional relationship and potentially earn you another recommendation later.

But it’s important to write your letter correctly. Read on to learn how to write a thank-you note for a recommendation letter that will leave your referrer with a smile.

When should you send a thank-you note for a letter of recommendation?

You should send a thank-you note for a letter of recommendation shortly after receiving it. Whether you received a college referral letter or job recommendation, a thank-you note is a professional way to express your gratitude by acknowledging the effort your referrer went through to create the letter. This thank-you note can help you remain in good standing with the referrer.

Sending a thank-you note for a referral can make you stand out to the referrer, making it easier for them to potentially write you another recommendation in the future and strengthening your professional connection with them.

How to write a thank-you note for a letter of recommendation.

There are numerous ways you can create a thank-you letter. The most important thing is to share your gratitude for the referrer going out of their way to help you out. The next few sections will detail what to include in your thank-you letter, as well as specific key components for a letter of recommendation for a job and one for a student.

A thank-you note should be brief. Keep each section as a separate paragraph of three sentences or less.

Steps to write a thank-you note for a letter of recommendation for a job.

For a job letter of recommendation thank-you note, you will want to include the following elements:

1. The greeting. Politely greet the recipient. Use their first or last name depending on your relationship.

2. A status update. Let your referrer know what the latest news is with your job search.

3. A statement of gratitude. Express your gratitude for the recommendation and their support in your professional growth. Let them know the impact it had on your job search.

4. A closing and a signature. Reiterate your gratitude and finish your letter with a signature.

Steps to write a thank-you note for a letter of recommendation as a student.

Teachers and professors spend a lot of their day in the classroom teaching and grading work. It is important to express your gratitude for the time they took to write you a letter of recommendation.

Here are a few key elements to include when you write a thank-you note for a letter of recommendation as a student:

1. The greeting. Politely greet the recipient. Use their title (Dr., Professor, etc.), then their last name.

2. A statement of gratitude. Express your gratitude for the recommendation. Let them know how they’ve impacted your educational growth and college search.

3. A status update. Let your referrer know what the latest news is with your college application status.

4. A closing and a signature. Reiterate your gratitude and finish your letter with a signature.

Tips for how to write a thank-you note that’s effective and phenomenal.

Depending on the receiver of your thank-you note, the format and specific details will vary. Some people prefer digital communication, while others may want a handwritten note. Think carefully about who your referrer is and what would make them feel most appreciated.

Before writing your letter, you can write out a basic outline so you don’t forget to include certain key elements of the thank-you letter. The length of the letter may vary, but generally, two to three paragraphs are enough to show your appreciation.

Be sure to double-check your work before sharing, then share the letter in a timely manner. Sharing the thank-you note close to the day the recommendation was created for you shows professionalism and appreciation.

Is it appropriate to send a letter of recommendation thank-you gift?

Sending a gift to the person who wrote you a letter of recommendation may or may not be appropriate, as it will depend on your relationship with them.

Typically, a small token of appreciation is a great way to show your gratitude, but make sure to save the gift for after the professor or other mentor writes the letter. This way, your intentions for giving the gift as appreciation for the letter of recommendation are 100% clear.

How to deliver a thank-you letter for a letter of recommendation.

You should send a thank-you note that fits your referrer’s preferred communication method. Send a handwritten card if you’d like to make a unique impression or if you think they’d appreciate a traditional approach. An electronic note, however, will often suffice.

You can also create a PDF card instead of simply writing an email. This lets you add some flair to it while still making it easy to read on any device. With Adobe Acrobat online services, you can even edit your PDF note before sending it.

More resources to work with your PDFs.

Now that you’ve learned how to write a thank-you note for a letter of recommendation, here are additional ways to write effective notes and letters.

• Learn how to format a business letter.
• Using a Mac? Learn how to convert Pages to PDF files.
• Learn how to write a cover letter that’s effective.
• Learn what to include in a school appeal letter.
• Learn how to write a school absence note.

Discover more about what you can do with Acrobat online services to create, share, and send PDFs.