Showing gratitude is a positive and enjoyable task, but writing a letter to thank your boss can make you feel a bit nervous. It’s important to word your letter appropriately so you express your thanks without coming across as unprofessional or insincere.You want to avoid sounding overly thankful so you seem ingratiating. You also have to ensure you draft your letter with the same care and attention that a more formal situation, such as a resignation, calls for. If you don’t, you may create the opposite of your intended effect: instead of expressing thanks, your letter could provoke confusion or annoyance.There’s no need to stress about writing a thank-you letter. Our appreciation letter to boss templates give you options so you can draft your own letter with confidence and ease.
Appreciation Letter to Boss Template
In the letter below, Dana Jones is writing to thank her boss for all of her support during the time Dana has been with the company. Dana is leaving the company for a new opportunity but wants to maintain a good professional relationship with her soon-to-be former boss, especially because the boss will most likely be providing Dana with a reference. In the sample letter, Dana does a good job of showing her appreciation as well as noting how she wishes to continue professional relations in the future.
Dear Janet,
I’m writing to thank you for all of your valuable support over the past two years that I’ve worked here at Johnson & Partners. You are a dedicated, compassionate leader who has helped me in my career as a mentor.
When I first came to the company, I was unsure about accounting for the entertainment industry sector, as I’d never worked in this field before. You took extra time to help me learn the ropes and never made me feel that I was bothering you when I had a question — and in the beginning, I had many! You made me feel like a part of the team from day one, and that meant a lot to me.
Although I’m now moving to the next phase of my career in my own supervisory position with increased responsibility, I will always be grateful to Johnson & Partners and you for helping me to get to where I am today in my career. I hope I may call on you in the future when our professional paths cross again.
Yours truly,
Dana Jones
How To Write an Appreciation Letter to Boss
An appreciation letter expresses your gratitude for something your boss has helped you accomplish or achieve during your time in your position. It may say thanks for making the job easier or more enjoyable. This type of letter isn’t necessarily as sensitive as some other types. However, it still deserves the same attention as any professional business letter.
You should begin your letter by stating the reason why you’re writing. You can come right out and say you’re writing to thank your boss and then state the overall theme or reason why you want to express gratitude. Remember this is your supervisor you’re addressing, so keep the tone friendly but maintain the necessary professional distance with respect to your position.
After your introductory paragraph, you can go into a bit more detail about the specific things you’re grateful for. You may mention an anecdote or particular situation in which your boss was particularly helpful and for which you were especially thankful. Personal stories add credibility to your letter and show that your thanks are sincere. You can also mention the specific ways your boss’ contributions have helped you in your job.
In your conclusion, especially if you’re leaving your current position for a new position elsewhere, you may wish to mention how you hope to continue a professional working relationship in the industry or maintain contact when your professional circumstances warrant such contact. An example of this is in the appreciation letter to boss template. In any case, it’s important to close on a strong positive note. You may want to simply and briefly reiterate your gratitude using different phrases than your introductory paragraph.
What To Avoid in Your Appreciation Letter to Boss
Appreciation letters can have some pitfalls you’ll want to avoid. Your letter shouldn’t appear as an excuse to ask for a favor, such as a recommendation or a promotion. Avoid requesting anything in return for your gratitude.
You don’t want to sound too thankful by repeating your thanks in numerous different ways. Being effusive can come across as insincere and defeat the purpose of your letter. Avoid going over the top by keeping your letter concise and to the point. Your message will be more effective when you write it this way.
Although your letter is for something less formal than termination or the like, don’t forget that it’s still a professional work setting. Accuracy and attention to detail are important, so proofread your letter before you send it. You don’t want a letter of thanks to reflect poorly on your writing skills or professionalism. Many companies regularly keep all professional correspondence on file.
How To Follow Up After Sending Your Appreciation Letter to Boss
In most circumstances, a follow-up is not required when you send a letter of appreciation. Your boss may acknowledge your letter by thanking you for the time and effort it took you to write it. Regardless, you don’t have to take any further action once you’ve sent or delivered the letter. Your letter is a show of gratitude without any expectation of something in return. However, you may wish to keep a copy for your files and for later reference. You may decide to use it as an example if you have to write a similar letter in the future.
Top 5 Appreciation Letter to Boss Writing Takeaways
1. Start by explaining the reason for your letter
Your unsolicited letter may come as a surprise to your boss. Start off by stating that you are writing to thank your boss, with a brief summary of the reason why. Your introductory paragraph should get right to the point.
2. Go into detail with examples
Add credibility and sincerity by including reasons for your appreciation. Examples make your letter more personal, heartfelt, and memorable. Without them, your letter can seem generic and contrived. That’s the worst kind of thank-you letter.
3. Don’t overexaggerate your appreciation
While gratitude is the focus of your letter, there’s no need to engage in overkill. A brief introduction, a specific example or two, and a concise, strong closing note are enough. Let your straightforward writing and examples show how thankful you are.
4. Use correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar
Be attentive to the usual standards of business correspondence. Proofread your writing and ensure it sounds professional before you send it.
5. Don’t procrastinate
Don’t wait too long to send your note of appreciation. Draft and send your letter soon after the event that inspired it. If your appreciation is general, include a particular recent development that inspired your letter.
